September 1, 2009
Reflections on the 1st Month
It's exactly a month since I arrived in Hong Kong, and I think I have been a bit of an overachiever in this one month. I've never done so much in a month. Ever. I'm quite proud of myself if I may say so. Haha. For a quiet Monday evening at home, let me take stock of what I did in the month.
1) Started work on 3 Aug, the day after I arrived in HK.
2) In Week 1, Monday to Friday evenings were spent going to property agents in various areas in Hong Kong Island, and asking to view flats in my budget range. Finally on Friday, I saw one that I decided upon. It's a small studio flat (no kitchen) in an area called Tin Hau. I love the area as it has many small eateries and has a rather villagey feel. It's near to Causeway Bay yet is tucked away from the craziness and crowds that mark Causeway Bay.
Some of the shops in Tin Hau
3) That first Saturday, I went to Lamma Island for some easy trail walking.
Fish spawning grounds in Lamma Island
4) The next day, I went outrigger canoeing in Stanley with an outrigger canoeing club based there. Needed to get my paddling fix.
5) Second Saturday: Went to HK Immigration Department to apply for my ID card. In the afternoon, shifted my luggage into my new place, took delivery of my shipment from Singapore, went to IKEA to buy stuff - lots of stuff! That night, I also met up with friends from Singapore and Australia who were visiting Singapore. After dinner, we went for karaoke too!
6) Second Sunday: Checked out of Hotel Newton and officially moved into new place. Met up with good friend Nadia who was visiting from Hong Kong and we went for dimsum where we had a feast.
We then headed to The Peak where we had a really nice view as it was a clear day. Subsequently headed back to Causeway Bay where I went to buy more stuff at IKEA and Nadia helped me to set up home after lugging back home a truckload of stuff.
7) 3rd and 4th week: Went running in Happy Valley Race Course twice and started paddling on Tues and Thurs evenings. Joined California Fitness gym. Bought a small fridge some time in the 3rd week too. Set up a bank account.
8) 23 Aug: Took part in a 21km outrigger canoeing race. The race started at Stanley beach, went around Po Toi island and then back to Stanley Beach.
9) Gone hiking (see previous entry)
10) Picked up my HK ID card on Saturday - I'm no longer an alien!
Anyway, it's been such a whirlwind month. Am still letting the dust settle a bit. Now I have to work on building a social network again and making new friends. It's like going back to school again. Wish me luck.
Posted by DSD at September 1, 2009 12:00 AM