Hong Kong - Part 2

Day 7, Friday 27^th May

Thulani spent the day exploring Discovery Bay, where we live, on the Island of Lantau. Firstly, he took a stroll by the lake and waterfalls, next to Ryan’s and Oliver’s school. Then he ventured down to beach to enjoy the lovely sunshine.

Days 8 & 9, the weekend, 28-29^th May

Thulani has finally got around to experiencing some of the traditional sights of Hong Kong. He has been on so many kinds of Hong Kong transport this weekend: buses, ferries, taxis and trams. Firstly, he went up to Victoria Peak, to see the (normally) incredible view of the harbour, lined with all the skyscrapers and backed by mountains. Unfortunately, it was a hazy day so the view was not so good. To make up for the slightly disappointing view, Thulani took a ride in a rickshaw, with Derry, around the peak. He then rode on the incredibly steep funicular railway tram from the Peak down to Hong Kong Park in the busy Central area of Hong Kong Island. Rhys got some funny looks having a photograph with a teddy bear at his age!!

  

In Hong Kong Park, Thulani enjoyed the aviary, fish, waterfalls and tea museum. He then took in the sights and sounds of busy Central, on board a traditional tram. These trams are more than 100 years old  and they make a ding ding sound as they move along, hence why the locals call them the “Ding Ding Trams”.

Goodbye Thulani, we will surely miss you. We look forward to hearing all about your further adventures, as you travel around the globe. Have fun, take care and remember the Thomas Family!!

Thulani in Hong Kong - Part 1

Hong Kong is situated on the southeast coast of China at the mouth of the Pearl River facing the South China Sea. Covering an area of 1,104 square kilometres (425 square miles), the territory is made up of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. At the core is Victoria Harbour, which separates Hong Kong Island from Kowloon and beyond that, the New Territories that runs up to the boundary with Mainland China. As well as making up the bulk of Hong Kong's land mass, the New Territories also incorporates 262 outlying islands, including Lantau where the airport is located.  Despite its dense urban environment, about three quarters of Hong Kong's total area is countryside, including about 40% designated as country parks

History

The bustling city of Hong Kong was just a collection of fishing villages when claimed by Britain in 1842 following the First Opium War with China. This failed attempt by the Ching Dynasty to stop the British trading in opium led to Hong Kong being ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Nanking that year. The Kowloon Peninsula was handed over in 1860 and a 99-year lease on the New Territories, comprising the area north of Kowloon up to the Shenzhen River plus 235 outlying islands, was granted in 1898. Under the unique principle of 'One Country, Two Systems', Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty on 1 July 1997 as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. This arrangement allows Hong Kong to enjoy a high degree of autonomy, retaining its capitalist system, independent judiciary and rule of law, free trade and freedom of speech.

Hong Kong's magnificent harbour has been the key to its development as a trading port and entrepôt for China, progressing through an industrial era to become a leading financial and services centre in Asia. Culture and heritage are what sets Hong Kong apart from the rest of Asia – indeed the world. With over 100 years of colonial history and a largely Chinese population, Hong Kong is a unique fusion of Western and Eastern cultures where the old and the new live side by side. Its incense-filled temples, colonial buildings and glass-and-steel skyscrapers, along with its ancient traditions and lively festivals, have made Hong Kong a living culture experience

Weather

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct seasons. Typhoon season is May to November.

Languages

Cantonese is the Chinese dialect spoken by over 88% of the people in Hong Kong. However, English is widely used in the Government and by the legal, professional and business sectors as well as tourist areas. Since reunification with China in 1997, Mandarin, more commonly known as Putonghua – the official dialect of China, has gained in prominence and most locals can at least comprehend it to a certain degree. Chinese (Cantonese is widely spoken) and English are the official languages of Hong Kong. All official signs are bilingual (using traditional characters).

Day 1, Saturday 21^st May

We arrived home late on Saturday evening to a small package. Ryan (age 7) and Oliver (age 5) were so excited to open it and find Thulani inside. They have been tracking Thulani’s travels and eagerly awaiting his arrival. The boys have been taking it in turns as to whom Thulani sleeps with.

Day 2, Sunday 22^nd May

On Sunday we were due to take Thulani on a friend’s junk (traditional Hong Kong boat) to a beach with great waves for surfing, however, we awoke to heavy rains and thunderstorms so we quickly came up with a contingency plan. We all went bowling and then had lunch at one of our favourite restaurants, called Zaks. Thulani enjoyed playing with the 5 boys, especially the bowling.

Day 3, Monday 23^rd May

Oliver enjoyed showing Thulani his Lego Star Wars figures and Ryan read him a bedtime story, with “Storm” the husky.
  

Day 4, Tuesday 24th May

Ryan had his friend, Rohan, over for a play date.Being a travelling bear, Thulani enjoyed playing with the electric train set and aeroplanes.

Day 5, Wednesday 25^th May 

Thulani joined Oliver’s class and Miss Bennett at Discovery College, today. They really enjoyed looking at the blog on the interactive white board and tracking Thulani’s travels.
  

Day 6, Thursday 26^th May

Thulani joined Ryan’s class and Mrs McKee, at Discovery College, today. They really enjoyed looking at the diary and Ryan telling them all about Thulani’s travels, during their sharing session.

Thulani in Brisbane - Part 4

Thulani stayed an extra few days in Brisbane so that he could ride in a rally car with Caitlin, as she was competing in the Australian Rally Championship on the Sunshine Coast. Unfortunately there were some mechanical issues with the car and Thulani never actually made it in to the car, but had to watch from afar as Cait whizzed around the tarmac night stage, somewhat disappointing but that’s rallying!

 On Thulani’s last day in Brisbane, Mandy and Antony were taking part in a 12km trail run, in the Glasshouse mountains North of Brisbane, so Thulani went along, riding in Antony’s hydration pack most of the way with the jelly beans!

 Here is a bit of basic information about Brisbane;

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland - the Sunshine State .The city has striking historical buildings which contrast beautifully with modern architecture contributing to the fantastic cityscape, best viewed by night. Home of the cultural precinct featuring galleries, museums, theatre and festivals Brisbane is also the gateway to the sun, surf and beaches of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. As a subtropical city, Brisbane has bright, sunny days and generally experiences reasonably mild weather year round. Average temperatures are between 29C (84F) and 21C (70F) in Summer and 22C (72F) and 10C (50F) in Winter. It can get quite warm in summer but remains fairly moderate in winter so there is really no "bad" time to visit. Most locals prefer the Spring when the city is in full bloom, the days are warm and sunny and the nights cool down with a gentle breeze. Brisbane is a popular destination for many domestic and international tourists as it has a longstanding reputation for being "beautiful one day and perfect the next". Brisbane is Australia's third largest city and has a population of 1,052,458 as of 30 June 2009.

Tomorrow Thulani will climb in to his envelope and continue his travels around the world, next stop Hong Kong. Safe and happy travels Thulani!! We have enjoyed having you to stay.

Thulani in Brisbane - Part 3

Here are a couple of photos of Thulani enjoying Mother's day evening by the campfire.

There are also two photos of him checking out the world on horseback. Riding is Helen's passion and she was more than happy to have Thulani along.

Caitlin navigates in a rally car and has the Queensland rally championships this week so we are planning a ride in the rally car and then we will send Thulani on his journey to Hong Kong

Thulani in Brisbane – Part 2

Today Sunday 8^th May was Mother’s Day in Australia and as part of the celebrations Thulani joined Mandy and her friends Sue and Greta to take part in the 8km walk for breast cancer research in Brisbane. Greta is 80 years old and an inspiration because her outlook on life is so amazing. She is also very physically active and Sue and Mandy both had to increase their pace to keep up with Greta who was passing people left right and centre! The photo shows Thulani and Mandy at the start of the walk.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Thulani in Brisbane - Part 1

Thulani arrived safely after a delay in his travels caused by the public holiday for Labour Day. He has joined Mandy, Antony, Helen(20), Caitlin(18) and Al(14) to see what life is like for them in beautiful Brisbane.

He has been to work with Caitlin at Gloria Jean’s coffee shop where the girls all enjoyed his company for the day and gave him a few hints and tips to making the perfect coffee.

Helen lives away from home during the week as she is studying veterinary technology at uni. We had her favourite dinner on Friday evening, “bangers, mash and beans” so here is Thulani sharing this with her.

Helen took Thulani up to see her chooks in the backyard. Thulani wanted to try on Helen’s new boots and act the cowboy.

Here he is checking out the chooks. 

Al does competitive indoor rock climbing and trains on Tuesdays and Saturdays so Thulani went along to give it a go.

Saturday was Mandy’s dad Dave’s surprise 65^th birthday party so Thulani took a trip in the car with Helen, Cait and Al through the lovely countryside to Dave and Jean’s house. Here he is enjoying a front seat view of the rolling hills through the Brisbane hinterland.

We bought Dave a native beehive for his birthday, to help pollinate his veggie garden. Here are Thulani and Dave admiring the new addition to Dave’s garden.

Native bees are very cute little black insects which don’t sting. Sadly their habitat in old hollow trees is being destroyed by new housing developments and they are getting harder to find in the wild.

A bonfire was prepared for the evening of the party. Here is Thulani making sure everything is ready.

Thulani took part in the singing and dancing later in the day. Here he is doing the “Nutbush” with Helen and Cait.

Thulani in Tasmania - Day 9

Day 9 Tuesday 26th April;
 
Thulani leaves Tasmania for Queensland.

 
Have a safe trip little bear, we loved having you stay with us and you were a joy to all who met you. x x x