Europe Summer 2008 - England

And so it began, on June 23rd - our big Europe adventure! Hope you enjoy the pics! We flew out of Hong Kong at midnight, and arrived at Heathrow early in the morning, London time - watching the sun rise as we taxied in. We took a shuttle to Gatwick, and then to the hotel where we had a wonderful reunion with Jan, Shea and Rowan. Had it really been a whole year since we've been away? We all had quick showers and then off by train to Sutton Coldfield, where we were to stay with Auntie Maureen, cousin Leslie and her son Ben. A gracious host, and felt very welcome. We took the train all over the countryside, to London to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre to see Mid-Summer Night's Dream (incredible!), and to Harborne to see the house where Jen's father grew up. Lots of reminiscing, and connecting. We took a trip to Warwick Castle (one of the most beautiful places in England, I suspect), enjoying the BLUE skies and CLEAN air - our lungs will forever be grateful after the smog of HK, visited a pub or two (had to have the bangers and mash!), and then we were off again, train to London, where we grabbed a bus tour of the city on our last night there. VERY fun to see the city, and the sights, stopped off at Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard, and then to Trafalgar Square for supper at Subway!, and back to the hotel. Lots of walking, and enjoying the city, the history and incredible buildings, and then more ahead, as we left the next day to Paris!



The kiddie castle, where the cousins slept in Auntie Maureen's backyard, Sutton Coldfield


The travellers arrive from Hong Kong - 5am London time.



Warwick Castle from the top of the battlements - we climbed ALL 530 steps!

Warwick and the River Avon beside

Sarah enjoying the view from Warwick mound and the fresh cool breeze

Arriving at the train station in Sutton Coldfield - not too many bags!!

Big Ben as we arrived in London for our last night in England, and toured the city on the double decker bus!

Sarah and Jan enjoying the bus tour!

Meggie and cousin Shea in the front, as always!

Having a breather in the beautiful rose garden at Warwick Castle. The garden was officially opened by Princess Di


The gang off to London to see Shakespeare's Mid-Summer Night's Dream at the new Globe Theatre, right on the Thames.

Changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace

The Canada Gate @ Buckingham Palace - beautiful!

Buckingham gang

Bob and Jen @Warwick Castle

Sarah and Ro at the Globe Theatre at the start

Globe Stage

Lover's quarrel

In the stands at the Globe - a wonderful afternoon in the sun!

Bottom as the Mule - laughing so hard we almost fell off the seats!

Big Bate adventure continues!

In London, walking into town from hotel

In Sutton Coldfield @ the pub!

A dream come true for Jen and Jan! Tickets had been booked six months in advance!

Shea and the audience enjoying the show!

We were in England for five days, before leaving for Dover and the ferry to Calais on the 29th. A wonderful trip, and great feeling of homecoming!

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!