Paul and Flick joined us for the short break over the festive season. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

I divided the photos into 3 groups – So don’t forget to open the other 2 groups. There’s about 50 odd photos in each….so sit back :-)

Paul and Flick visitDec 25, 2011Photos: 62

Xmas 2011Dec 25, 2011Photos: 51

NYE 2011Jan 1, 2012Photos: 98

Lots of Christmas cheer – It’s crazy I cant believe it’s that time already. We took a few photos of the symphony lights display that starts every day at 8 PM.

Lights from TSTNov 20, 2011Photos: 16

Had an opportunity with work to go back – 3 day conference in Phuket Thailand. Death by power point was rewarded by 2 birdies and a par, beautiful hotel and scenery and a few days next to a wonderfull beach and warm weather.

Nothing like the last trip to Thailand. The resort was about 45 min. drive south of the famous Patong Beach where we spent our last holiday in Thailand. The landscape has changed after the tsunami and many thousands of visitor from all over.

I was amazed by the amount of Eastern European visitors. I’d say 70 % of the visitors at the airport was on their way back to Moscow.

I can highly recommend the hotel ( let me know if you want the detail ) I’ll leave the rest to the photos to explain.

Thailand Nov 2011Oct 31, 2011Photos: 65

Annie made cup cakes for the class that looked like little pumpkins. It looked like everyone had fun.

Halloween 2011Oct 28, 2011Photos: 15

Jake celebrated his third birthday three times.

Once in Brisbane with the Tia’s and cousin’s  – another in Hong Kong with family and friends at the Peak and another with all his mates at school. Lucky boy !

Thanks so much for all the presents and effort. Tia made him an awesome Mickey Mouse birthday cake.

Here’s a few phodies :

Jake 3rdOct 25, 2011Photos: 65

It was great to have some many of the family in one place – something that does not happen often.

Post Brisbane and NZ we had a week in Sydney to spend with all the usual suspects – we really enjoyed seing everyone and all the old haunts. Rib and Rumps, Henry Africas .. we had a ball – thanks so much for all the effort – especially Paul and Flick that made us so comfortable in their home during our time in Oz.

Oz visit Oct 2011Oct 9, 2011Photos: 138

Thanks to Werner for organising this more than a year in advance I had the opportunity to join  a few mates on trip of a life time.

It was perfectly timed with our plans to travel to Oz after our first 6 months in Hong Kong. A quick trip to NZ – We landed on the Wednesday in Sydney and I flew out to NZ on the Friday morning only to return back to Oz on the following Monday. We new it would be a short trip and made a conscious effort to make up for it by not to stop for a moment the entire time we where there.

Hats off to Wellington for putting up the best world cup I have ever experienced ! The city has the charm of a small country town and it’s evident in the hospitality and spirit. We had a ball. I think I had close to 1000 beers :-)

The food was amazing – might be because I could eat steak for the first time in months. Great to see the Lynch’s for the first time in years.

For the rest – What happens on tour stays on tour – here are some phodies :

NZ RWC 2011Oct 8, 2011Photos: 25

Such is the family bond within the close Portuguese culture. When Annie’s fam heard the news of the accident 2 aunts made their way from Johannesburg to the crazy busy streets of Hong Kong to come and support one of their own in a time of need.

Hats off, and thank you so much for your support through a tough time – We only hope you had as much fun as we did. Here’s a few phodies.

Tias HK VisitSep 12, 2011Photos: 194

The Po Lin Monastery and the Buddha, set on a hill, was wonderful surprise.

Lots of visitors, interesting kiosks, lunch according to taste and shady trees to provide cool in the heat.

Ouma and Oupa didn’t’ make the many steps up to the Buddha but stayed behind with Jake. The views from the top offered scenes that showed both sides of the island and interesting similarities between Christianity and Buddhism in the offering of three gifts – gold , frankincense and myrrh.

On our way to the cable car we happened upon an inspiring exhibition by the Po Lin monks. Showing off their strength of mind and body. That was Jake’s favourite.

We came down the mountain in a cable car from Ngong Ping to Tung Chung. The cable car has a glass bottom which provided thrills and brought us back to the MTR that took us back to Hong Kong.

A wonderful day out.

Lantao with Oupa an OumaAug 14, 2011Photos: 77