Happy in Hong Kong

Sonia Herron Academy of Jazz....Now Open!!

The latest Modern Jazz and Hip Hop Dance syllabus from Australasia. Classes taught in English, Internationally recognised examinations, and all done to the latest trend setting music your child will LOVE!
A safe and positive dancing environment for your child to learn and develop their full potential in dance.
Syllabus info and timetable with prices can be found by click image above.

Register NOW at dance academy website   www.academyofjazz.com

Address of studio is:  Shop 26, 1/F, The Waterside, 15 On Chun Street, Ma On Shan

phone/fax:  +852 2643 9688

Classes start on 20 November.

Don't miss the grand opening specials!!!

new house and pictures

Just wanted to let everyone know that we've just uploaded more pictures in our Family & Friends picture album.  they show the first pictures of us moving into our new village house in Tai Shui Hang Village.
I also uploaded some old photos of when my parents visited HK last February into our HK Places album.  I thought they deserved being added, even this late.
Take a look!  It's more than worth it.

HK not just a retail paradise

we often tell visitors and family when they come to see us that they most definitely get a different perspective of Hong Kong than what normal tourists get.  we like showing them the rural parts of Hong Kong, which make up far more than 50% of Hong Kong's region.  The New Territories has many hidden gems that leave explorers serene and bedazzled.  we have come to learn that even most Kongers don't get out of their little everyday boxes to experience these natural beauties.
the post card shot of Hong Kong is most people's perception of this place.  my parents came to HK about 20 years ago, and they told me that they never saw any of the places I showed them while they were here visiting our new home for the first time.
the tourist dollar needs to be spread into the local small parts as well as the mega shopping malls that everyone knows about.  another characteristic of HK that stands out to visitors is that it is very safe compared to other Asian countries.  we need to encourage locals and tourists alike to get out and EXPLORE!  Go on a walk, get lost in some little village, find some remote abandoned beach or park.  one that I will recommend is a walking trail in Sai Kung which leads to Tai Long Wan.  it has well-kept paths the whole way, and the views are splendid.  Tai Long Wan means "big long wave" in Cantonese, so you can surf there too if that's your fancy.

China Visa from Hong Kong

have just gone thru this whole ordeal for the 3rd or 4th time, and it can be complicated at times, depending on what type of visa you request (and your nationality), so I thought I'd put the relevant information here all in one spot for easy understanding.

Chinese Foreign Ministry (HK) website:  click here

PDF file of general visa application form:  Download ChinaVisaApp.pdf

Basic info for China Resources Building (HK) -- Chinese consular office:

26 Harbor Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island  (across from Immigration Building -- red brick one)
Monday to Friday (except public holidays in Hong Kong)
Morning:  9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Afternoon:  2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Tel: 3413 2424 and 3412 2300

Enter the China Resources Building on the side of the exhibition center at street level for the elevator. From Kowloon the easiest way is to take the Star Ferry to Wan Chai ferry pier.

CAUTION:  by exception, US passport holders must already have their visas before reaching Lo Wu or they'll be fined (others can get a one-journey visa at the border crossing). In Hong Kong, they should apply for it at the China Travel Service (there are a few branches in the city) or at the Chinese Visa Office in Wan Chai North and wait 1 1/2 to 2 days for it to be processed. One-journey, two-journey or multiple-journey visas can be obtained here.

more to come on shopping and travelling to China places...

Real travel....HK honeymoon blog

found a great travel blog site, named Real Travel, where heaps of people post their adventurous stories after going thru Hong Kong.  one newly-wed couple absolutely loved their 5 days in "back to the future" HK, and they left some very relevant information for other travellers.  Click here for story.

Mid-levels Hong Kong Island

the escalators take you from Central thru SoHo right up the base of Victoria Peak, and along the way you find yourself in a magical network of alleyways busting full of trendy cafes, restaurants, and gift shops.  you can find so many cool Chinese arts and crafts here as well as the European flavour.  you can find more pictures and videos of this area on HK Island in the HK places photo album and video page that are found in the sidebar of our main blog page.  feel free to ask questions and request more video or advice in an email or comment!