I am enjoying seeing some of your pictures. I spent some time in Hong Kong in the early 90s and on my last visit there in 2011, things had changed so much. Fun to see your Substack. I live in Oregon and have a counseling background.
I worked in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province of China from 1992, so I spent the most time in the winter of 1993 in ShaTin (New Territories). Then I rented a room from a woman in her apartment above a mahjong parlor up close to the border for a short time before returning to China. I didn't know yet I have multiple sclerosis, so I ended up spending a couple of months in Hong Kong getting medical care during a break. I loved Hong Kong in those years--92-94, and people felt concerned about the upcoming takeover. I really loved a retreat place on Cheung Chau Island where my friends worked as hosts. I was back home in Oregon in 97. I have friends who stayed through that transition. In 2011, I stayed with friends on Ma Wan Island a bit as I came and went from China. The population was so much larger and things were definitely different. What brought you to HK? Work? My last China trip to do some workshops for counselors and doctors, I flew through Shanghai and spent time in Yunnan Province. So I didn't make it back to HK. Are you enjoying life there?
Sounds like you had some fantastic experiences here. Living above a mahjong parlour must have been fun, I've tried learning but I am terrible at remembering the rules!
Cheung Chau is beautiful and it sounds about right (and still now) for a suitable place for a retreat. The last time I went over on the ferry was a couple of years ago. I am/was a teacher and so I took a group of students over for a field trip. And I have been to Ma Wan island - there's a 'ghost town' there - did you visit that? I think it was vacated a few years before your last visit in 2007.
Teaching is what brought me to HK, as well as my then-boyfriend, now husband. I've been here seven years this summer - can't believe how fast the time has gone.
Wow, that's great that you've been there seven years. I didn't visit the ghost town when I was on Ma Wan in 2011. I stayed with my friends in their beautiful place not far from the ferry terminal. I really loved that peaceful island with no cars and their infinity pools were beautiful. Good food, too. What age do you teach? Living above a mahjong parlor was really noisy--the cubes made a lot of noise. But it was temporary and I needed a place to stay. Cool old village though. Forgot the name.
I’ve been lucky to visit Penang once, and the street art there is beautiful. I’ve always been curious actually - are there some street art festivals there too? I’d love to return at some point.
I am enjoying seeing some of your pictures. I spent some time in Hong Kong in the early 90s and on my last visit there in 2011, things had changed so much. Fun to see your Substack. I live in Oregon and have a counseling background.
Thanks Susan, I would loved to have visited HK during the 90s - were you here during the handover?
I worked in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province of China from 1992, so I spent the most time in the winter of 1993 in ShaTin (New Territories). Then I rented a room from a woman in her apartment above a mahjong parlor up close to the border for a short time before returning to China. I didn't know yet I have multiple sclerosis, so I ended up spending a couple of months in Hong Kong getting medical care during a break. I loved Hong Kong in those years--92-94, and people felt concerned about the upcoming takeover. I really loved a retreat place on Cheung Chau Island where my friends worked as hosts. I was back home in Oregon in 97. I have friends who stayed through that transition. In 2011, I stayed with friends on Ma Wan Island a bit as I came and went from China. The population was so much larger and things were definitely different. What brought you to HK? Work? My last China trip to do some workshops for counselors and doctors, I flew through Shanghai and spent time in Yunnan Province. So I didn't make it back to HK. Are you enjoying life there?
Sounds like you had some fantastic experiences here. Living above a mahjong parlour must have been fun, I've tried learning but I am terrible at remembering the rules!
Cheung Chau is beautiful and it sounds about right (and still now) for a suitable place for a retreat. The last time I went over on the ferry was a couple of years ago. I am/was a teacher and so I took a group of students over for a field trip. And I have been to Ma Wan island - there's a 'ghost town' there - did you visit that? I think it was vacated a few years before your last visit in 2007.
Teaching is what brought me to HK, as well as my then-boyfriend, now husband. I've been here seven years this summer - can't believe how fast the time has gone.
Wow, that's great that you've been there seven years. I didn't visit the ghost town when I was on Ma Wan in 2011. I stayed with my friends in their beautiful place not far from the ferry terminal. I really loved that peaceful island with no cars and their infinity pools were beautiful. Good food, too. What age do you teach? Living above a mahjong parlor was really noisy--the cubes made a lot of noise. But it was temporary and I needed a place to stay. Cool old village though. Forgot the name.
I want to head back to Ma Wan and to the ghost town at some point. We visited during Covid so that gave the trip an additional weird vibe!
I taught high school age kids (mostly 14-18 years), but I’m taking a career break at the moment.
I bet it did. Was your husband born in HK?
Wonderful! It reminds me of the street art of Penang, Malaysia. But, of course, HK is it's own distinct international flavor. 💖
I’ve been lucky to visit Penang once, and the street art there is beautiful. I’ve always been curious actually - are there some street art festivals there too? I’d love to return at some point.
I don't know, but there are so many cultures in Malaysia, I can imagine many celebrations, art included.
That’s true. And I’d love to experience more of the food 😋