Going home

...but not yet. Cyclone Nuri is currently headed straight towards Hong Kong and where I am staying (next to the airport at Chep Lap Kok) the winds are already around 76 km/hour. It means no flights until tomorrow. I was due to be taking off at 23:40 but who knows when I'll be flying now! It's all rather boring sitting inside with the wind and rain going... Can't go anywhere or see anyone. I've just been reading the Weather Observatory's website:

"1. Do not go outside. If you are reasonably protected, stay where you are and keep well away from all windows. Close all interior doors and make sure children are confined to the least exposed part of your home. On no account should you touch electric cables that have been blown loose.

2. If the eye of the typhoon passes directly over Hong Kong, there may be a temporary lull lasting from a few minutes to several hours. This will be followed by a sudden resumption of violent winds from a different direction. Remain where you are if protected and be prepared for destructive winds and the change in wind directions. Listen to broadcast warnings.

3. Since seas are very rough, you are advised to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports. "

All sounds very serious hehe. I'm glad I got to see Lauren, Marty and Sam yesterday. I spent the afternoon with Lauren and Marty down at Big Wave Bay and got to go to the beach with them (the waves really were big! I guess because of the typhoon starting). Their baby Zara is looking very big now! In the evening I went for dinner with Sam in Soho which was cool. Had a wonderful meal at Jaspas. I was meant to be going for a meal with my principal and all the teachers from school today but obviously I can't go now, and I'm really quite disappointed. It would have been nice to have seen them all again.

Hopefully I'll be seeing you all soon! Goodbye Hong Kong...

Stanley by Jo

I'm reeaally sorry but I'm too lazy to write an entry myself on Stanley and Aberdeen so I've copied Jo's entry :p Cheers Jo!

"I didn't get up till late, but we still managed to squeeze in a big trip to Stanley, which is on the south coast of Hong Kong Island. The bus journey was nice, we got to see a bit more of the Island which was nice. We're only really familiar with Central. We drove past this huge cemetary it was really hilly, in the centre of the city, and concrete. Was quite a strange view. We drove through Repulse Bay which is the big area where Westerners live. Beautiful, but pricy. Stanley Bay was really nice. I wasn't really feeling very well this morning as I had a migraine yesterday, so didn't really eat much yesterday, so the heat today really got to me, so we ate dinner really early.Had a really nice pizza, very italian style. What was bizarre was that we didn't feel like we were in Hong Kong anymore. The area seemed very mediteranean. It was a shame that there were building works along the sea front, but it didn't spoil the view too much. I was really annoyed that, I'd remembered my camera, but hadn't charged it up. We went to Stanley market, which was different to Mong Kok market in that it was under shelter. A bit like the Souks in Marrakech, but with the shop keepers dragging you into their stalls. I bought a few more pressies, so i won't be disclosing what I bought.
We then went on to Aberdeen, we had planned on going to the floating restaurant, but we'd already eaten, so we decided to save that for another day. Was nice to see the boats though. We were hassled by an old woman wanting to sell us a boat trip, and she seriously wouldn't take no for an answer. I've never known anything like it. We said no, and then she followed us, and stood by us while we sat down, blatantly trying to stop us taking the rival boat trip. She gave us the worst looks when we kept saying no. Was quite funny, but annoying. I did feel bad as it's obviously her livelihood, but sometimes, they have to give up and try somebody else. What was nice was that a Scottish couple (yes, Scottish, I'm in Aberdeen and I meet Scots! The first I've met in HK) came back after walking past us, to save us, but we'd just managed to escape.
We didn't stay long in Aberdeen, we had to get back to Central for 180 service at the Vine which was really nice."

35 Hours To Go!

I'm ill :( I can't believe I've woken up feeling poorly the day before I'm due to fly out! I'm all dosed up on paracetamol and strepsils so hopefully I'll feel 100% tomorrow. Can't believe it's my last day. The past few weeks have gone so quickly! I'm going to finish packing later. It's so exciting!! I keep checkin and double checking all the flight stuff. Jo realised yesterday that her seat hadn't been reserved but she phoned and we can reallocate when we check in. Phew- won't be sat next to any smelly business men!

I'm being met in Hong Kong by the English teachers from the school- Pet and Cat. We're then going to be taken for dinner with the Principals and Bo Bo (Head of the English dept.). Argh! Feeling just slightly daunted. We've got to make a good impression after a long flight and too little sleep! I think the flight is shorter than I thought- only 12 hours if the arrival time is in HK-time? I keep confusing myself! 12 hours isn't so bad really. I've packed 4 books in my hand luggage hehe. Oh- I have my address! I'm expecting lots of parcels full of good food and whatever else I'm missing!! Like chocolate. And tinned ravioli mmmmm.

Any last minute tips/advice anyone? Vicky has given me loads, like drink plenty of water and remember to do leg exercises!