Day long Junk tour of HK Island May 2008

Junk Trip


So, as a good bye to a few of the staff leaving this year, a bunch of us rented a junk for a day to circumnavigate Hong Kong Island. Amazing day- the junk includes all your food and drink for the day- music, friends, sun(some) and lots of laughter.

Pete Muilenburg striking the pose on the top deck of the junk

The boys lounging on the top deck as we head out of Hong Kong Harbour-the area to the left is known as Central

Boarding the junk- we are at the pier next to the "Star Ferry" terminal

I call this one "the Pursuit of Happiness"- kind of speaks for itself

coming up to Aberdeen Harbour-where we live

Pete and Tracy- Sham Wan Towers bunkies!

The lovebirds preparing for a day at sea!

telecommunications central out by Big Wave Bay


My bride enjoying the simple pleasures of life

remnants of yesteryear- WW2 pillboxes

Is she happy or do the empty Heineken's speak for her disposition?

The party deck

coming in to Hong Kong Harbour- lifestyles of the rich and famous

North Point- highway heads to the tunnel that takes you under the harbour to Kowloon

Dragon boat festival is coming up- notice the dragon boat tied to the side of the boat as we are coming in to the harbour

shot from the top deck-notice the party carries forward to the front deck



dragon boaters practising out near Stanley

Anchored outside Repulse Bay- Heineken's in the South China Sea- who would have figured?

We're off to the Races!

What fun! On June 5th, Bob and I were invited to go with Dave McMaster, our Head of School to Happy Valley Racecourse, and visit with a couple whose children had attended CDNIS. Joseph and Shirley Chow own two beautiful horses which were racing that night. We were treated like royalty, and had a wonderful time at this famous racetrack in Hong Kong!

At the finish line (behind us)! We got a chance to stand right at track level, and see the horses run right past us!

Shirt and tie, please!

One of their horses who was competing - Dashing Champion!

Joseph and Shirley, center, their trainer and jockey, and rest of us!

Posing with Dave McMaster, left and John Jalsevac, Principal of Upper School.

We had a wonderful Chinese dinner, and great company. Andrew, the son, center, attends NYU now.

Horse and jockey #2 racing that night. Neither horse won or placed (top three), but it was very exciting to be there.

Joseph teaching me how to read the race book, and learn about the horse, the sire, and bloodline, the 'odds', and how to bet on the horses!

The racetrack, in the center of Hong Kong, is one of the jewels of the city. The Jockey Club, owners, sponsor many things in the city, and helped build CDNIS, as well as many other huge projects. This form of gambling is the only legal form in Hong Kong. It takes years to be accepted as a member, and to have a horse race here is a huge honour.

This will be the site of the 2008 Olympic Equestrian events this summer.

Reading the betting book!


What a fun night out!

Jeanette and Mike Martin visit May 2008

Had a great visit with Jeanette (ticklebug) and her new husband, Mike Martin. They flew in on the 17th and stayed until the 26th of May. Very adventurous, they set off each day to explore the city - saw places we haven't seen yet - and found a cool massage parlour in Aberdeen!

Of course, our little Ap Lei Chau ferry ride to Aberdeen!

Mike and all of his professional film equipment - looking forward to the photos!


Sarah and Meg loved having their 'big sister' visiting!

We took Mike to the American Peking restaurant for his birthday supper!

Thanks for coming to visit, you two! Best of luck with your new life together in Victoria!

May 2008 Visitors from home!

Taryn Forman and Taylor Jenkins arrived in May - Sarah's first friends from home - very exciting! Taryn also celebrated her 16th birthday while she was here!

Sarah took them to all the great HK spots - Times Square, Stanley Market, Ocean Park, Shek O beach - very busy, very fun!

The weather was gorgeous the entire time they were here

It was hard to say goodbye - but we'll see you again soon!

A new job, and new theatre in May 2008!

Jen gets a new job at CDNIS in May - the brand new Leo Lee Arts Centre opens (finally!) in May. And the fun begins, as Arts Centre Manager! We got onstage on Saturday May 3rd, stepping over and through the construction zone that is still the arts centre, and proceeded to run technical rehearsals for our musical theatre production for two days, get the stage and backstage and foyer area ready for a school assembly that Monday, get ready to host an Asia-wide music festival, and then open our Honk Jr. production for the weekend - that's week one!... it goes on and on!

This beautiful 600-seat theatre is built with Canadian maple, and in the colours of the school (tan, white and burgundy), the entrance foyer is a breathtaking, grand, 3-storey high view of Aberdeen Harbour and introduction to the Arts Centre (theatre auditorium and classrooms for visual arts, music and theatre arts) itself. Since opening May 3rd, the Arts Centre has hosted assemblies, Evening of the Arts celebrations for all grades Pre-Reception to Grade 12 in drama, music and visual arts, our Gala Opening Ceremony, and Graduation activities for the students. Truly a busy and wonderful celebration of the arts in our school.

Visit our school website - cdnis.edu.hk and click on pictures of the many arts events held this past month! Enjoy! http://www.home.cdnis.edu.hk/~samuelko/eota/Photos.html

Arts Centre Manager and a New Theatre May 2008!

Entranceway to main level auditorium

Main level auditorium level @ stage

Looking @ stage from House left side main level auditorium

Looking from stage left @ auditorium and balcony level above

Looking from stage right to seating

From left balcony across


Looking from balcony to auditorium and stage

Looking from balcony right to stage area

From balcony right across

Looking up the main staircase to balcony level, and another set of stairs up to foyer

Jen (sorry it's blurred, Bob had a few glasses of wine...) in the reception/box office area

Looking through the foyer to the amazing windows and balcony beyond, overlooking our Aberdeen Harbour

Technical booth, my temporary office!

Tech booth from right @ balcony level

Looking from tech booth to stage