The cripps in Hong Kong Hong Kong, Repulse Bay, Cripps, Crippo, Mark Cripps, Joss Cripps

Zai Jian 再見 (Hope to see you again soon)

A diary about our expedition to Hong Kong

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Thursday, November 15, 2007

Land of a million elephants





as you probably guessed we've just come back from Laos. What an incredibly chilled, languid and laid back place. we went to the world heritage town of Labang Prabang for a long weekend. We meandered down the Mekong river on a little teak boat, which was like a cross between a house boat and a canoe, took in a fair few wats and photos of far too many buddhas and monks, for the latter - studiously trying to avoid being spotted doing so. No tour groups, no chain hotels and no jets, just twin prop planes coming in a few times a day on a weeny runway - but that's about to change so get there quick before the mainlanders beat you to it and Starbucks moves in. Mark will doubtless publish a few more photos when he gets back from Shanghai. He took Millions.(No elephants though).

J

Things that go grrrrrrrh in the night



I cannot believe we've been here over 16 months now - and so time for Halloween again. It is really big out here and particularly where we live. That may be something to do with the number of kids who live here and because it is all so compact, trick or treating and lots of sweets can be gained with v little effort.
Mark had been to US the week before and brought back lots of ghoulish gimmicks such as a severed arm to stick in the door frame, a noise activated spider that drops down from a web, disfigured finger sweets and bloodstained scarred masks for them all.
As luck would have it I had a deadline and a marketing plan to write so I shut the door, left out a sack of sweets and prayed for peace and quiet. The door bell went a couple of times(bah humbug I ignored, sorry Mark (who had to go to Beijing at last minute and loves Halloween). Two hours later I peaked outside and all sweets had gone, just a few wrappers left for me in the bowl.
Billy and Archie had a splendid time terrorising the neighbours in the three other blocks, and we have sweets a plenty to last til next year.

The Danes in Hong Kong





Fantastic week with Eric, Irene and Christian over from London. Billy and Archie were so pleased to have their mate back that for the first 24 hours they wouldn't let go of him.
It was a whirlwind tour taking in Big Wave Bay, the Peak, massages - Happy Foot of course, a romantic night away (just eric and irene mind you, we didn't miss them that much)and a visit it to Macau. Guys, your energy is astounding. It was so lovely to be able to show some friends around and show off HK. we hope they'll be back again and Eric, keep away from those chillies in future.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Billy: Lethal weapon



Billy is now a yellow belted Kung Fu practitioner! Who'd of thought it? He's quite lethal when he catches you where he should not - if you know what I mean fellas. Looks the part with the gloves & suit!

Might be an olympic sport in 13 years time .... hmmmm!

M

Random scenes of HK






Glorious day today, so we had a quick walk. Took these pix en route.

M

Hong Kong Cricket Club


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Thanks to Joss' hockey playing prowess, we're now members of the -- and jolly nice it is too. Great facilities (and a bar or three!). Might have to take up playing cricket now. Pleased to say I was out of the country when the application interviews were on -- jacket and tie = obligatory (apart from 2 bow ties and a funeral one, I no longer possess a tie).

Great weather today - not bad considering it's Bonfire Night tomorrow.

M

El Tel having a cheeky one


Some people we knew from Chiswick (Lucinda and Terry) have moved in up the road - weirdly their son Jack was in the same class as Billy in his Chiswick school and is now in the same class in HK.

Small world.

Here's El Tel enjoying his first pint of the day (not quite 11:00) - he *ahem* persuaded me I needed one too. Terry's day (also Terry) in the background wearing the same hat!

M

Rugby UNDER 7's tournament






Billy took part in an Under 7's rugby tournament this morning -- did rather well if I say so myself. (He plays for Valley Fort RFC in Stanley).

He was tackling like a proper prop and even managed to squeak in a try - his first in his rugby career. (Cost me a new Lego set that did!).

The rugby was held in a spot of 'greenery' in Kowloon. I say 'greenery' as it was jolly hot today and there was barely a spot of grass to be seen. Similar to other places in HK, any greenery is built up to its very edge!

M

Nice views of one of the remaining junks






Not many junks left in HK now -- and those that are left, are tourist traps. Regardless, they look v. pictureskew ... took these from the lobby of the HK Museum of Art yesterday where we attended a "Best of" British Museum exhibition ... I lost track of the number of times Archie nearly got me thrown out ... trying to kick the 3000 year old exhibits.

Talking of old, I look ancient in this shot -- travelling too much.

M

Billy's school sports day




Held @ HK Cricket club this week.

A case of a pretty liberal regime I'm afraid (they all win; they all get medals etc etc).

And Joss fussing around "it's so disorganised". Etc.

M