We couldn't have it all...

I haven't posted in about a month... which I'm assuming I should explain.  I actually made a quiet trip home to Canada for a few weeks.  I was going to leave my family woes out of this blog, but I figure if you are bothering to read this you are likely family or a good friend of either Mike or I.  So, at the risk of creating the ultimate 'Debbie Downer' moment, I was at home, helping take care of my mom as she goes through chemo treatments (click here).  About a month before we moved away, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer (click here).  It has been very difficult to be away from her and the family through this difficult time. On the bright side, she is doing very well and I know with absolute certainty that she will make it through this.  I really loved our time together.

I've been back in HK for almost a week now, and it has been a very busy and exciting week (thank goodness, because I was a mess after leaving my family... click here).  First, Foley gave me a wonderful birthday gift!  A gorgeous digital SLR camera (Canon 60D).  It's big, heavy and equipped with an excellent stalker zoom.  Many of the photos posted from now on will be taken with this beauty (not the stalker photos, more landscapes and such).

We had guests again!  Lauree and Rich (friends from Toronto) were here from Friday to Sunday on an extended stopover during their Asian adventures.  We saw some of the classic sights aboard the Red Bus Tours. We rode the tram up to the Peak for some stunning views, had lunch in Stanley, strolled along the waterfront and through the market, walked through a temple, had a Sampan ride (boat ride) through Aberdeen harbour, and we went out at night.

The first night we went out to an area of the city called LKF.  It has oodles of bars and clubs, all 'open concept' and spilling out into the streets.  A very lively and fun place to go out.



 

  

Got there a little too early...



One hour later, it's packed.



The second night we went to a different area of the city called Wan Chai. After a couple of drinks at a pub called 'Mes Amis', we strolled over to 'Dusk to Dawn'.  The latter is a bar that has outstanding live cover bands.  You can hear everything from Bon Jovi, to John Cougar Mellencamp, to the Boss, to Katy Perry, to Adele, to Madonna, to ... you get the idea.  These bands are excellent.  Generally the covers are top shelf, but once in a while there's a funny mishap on the lyrics.  My favourite on Saturday night was when they sang Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep'.  For those who know the song, when it gets to the chorus, Adele belts: "We could've had it all, Rolling in the deep...".  Saturday night rendition was "We couldn't have it all, Rolling in the deep..."  A small difference but it changes the meaning quite abit and was hilarious to see it belted with gusto.

 



Sunday afternoon our guests left.  Yesterday (Monday), Mike emailed me from work with a 'task for the day'... booking our Easter vacation!  So, tomorrow morning we leave for the Philippines.  I once swore I would never go there after my father was abducted there (click here), but it's only a few hours away, and apparently stunning.   Done.