Small TX road trip

2 hour Road trip within TX. My daughter's face is plastered to the window with amazement from all the space, animals & landscape. The Upcoming year is going to be a year of firsts for her. This is going to be fun to see America through her eyes.

We are in San Anglo , TX

We are in San Angelo! Safe and sound...of course we are all wide awake :) 

This will be our home for the next few months. My husband will move up to Minot AFB in hopes to find or get a house on base soon. BUT it doesn't sound like it will be too soon...well that's the military for you...it is on their schedule not ours. 

Time to get some sleep!!

再見 Joigin- Goodbye

We arrived on Dec 12th on we are going to leave exactly three years later on Dec. 12th...and now It's time... it's been great! I am not one for goodbyes. The world is a small place and I am sure I will see you again either by chance or by plan. Until then take care of your liver and only drink good coffee,wine,whiskey and beer!

Goodbye 

Cantonese :  再見 Joigin. (In Hong Kong, "bye bye" is often used instead)

or

Chinese	:	再见
Pinyin	:	zàijiàn
Literal Meaning	:	Again See
Usage	:	Can be used as Good Bye, but its literal meaning is closer to See You

So long and thank you for all the fish...

We leave Hong Kong Dec. 12th 2012....where did all the time go? It feels like we just arrived here. We made good friend, we ate lot of wonderful food and we lived in a marvelous home. We did everything we wanted and more... there are no complaints about this magical playground.

It is time to move back to the U.S.- Where our daughter has never lived and we are missing our homeland immensely. Our next adventure will take place in Minot, ND! We have never been there, but we are ecstatic to be relocating there.

Hot Pot baby and Good Friends

Gold Coast Seafood Restaurant   

 金灣漁港火鍋  

Gypsy Girl 2012

Hong Kong has lots of Hot Pot Restaurants,  but if you want something more local and cheap beer this is the place you need to go.  We had nine people and we each paid HK$120.00  each, but we ate a lot food accompanied with many beers.

Check out openrice.com for the full details :
 http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=16632

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Drum Roll ... our new home is...

Minot Air Force base, Minot North Dakota! 

This was sent to me.

Home brewed beer!

My hubby cracked open one of his bottles of beer and OMG it is tasty! I am impressed with his brew!



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Java Road Cooked Food:Tung Po Seafood Restaurant

I went and it was delicious! I arrived there half hour before everyone else. I wanted to photos before the place filled up with people…

Then I realized today my daughter was in every photo. So I am not able to post any photos. I guess I will have to go back again.

I highly recommend this website: the person has taken great photos and info:

Directions thanks to Hong Kong Hustle:
http://www.hongkonghustle.com/food/397/java-road-market-north-point-restaurant/

Take Exit A1 from the North Point MTR station and you’ll be just across the street from the building where the market is.
Remember it’s up an escalator on the second floor.

Fresh market dining in North Point

The place I was telling you about:

Tung Po Seafood Restaurant
(located in the middle of the 2nd floor)
For reservations: 2880-9399

Java Road Cooked Food Centre address:
2/F, 99 Java Road, North Point
Hong Kong

No, I have not going yet. I am going tonight.

Here are some great websites to you can visit...

Hong Kong Hustle: http://www.hongkonghustle.com/food/397/java-road-market-north-point-restaurant/ :  Pretty good write up and great direction. The website overall is pretty a good guide for what is going on Currently in Hong Kong  happenings.

Hong Kong's cooked food centers: Dai pai dong without the rats: http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/none/cooked-food-centers-hong-kong-best-atmosphere-even-money-cant-buy-400539

 TUNG PO SEAFOOD
RESTAURANT:
 http://www.hiphongkong.com/eat/restaurants/seafood/tung_po_seafood_restaurant_north_point

NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY

 

http://nationalmargaritaday.com/

Check out the facebook page!

New food place

I am heading out with family and friends to a new food place. New for me, but not new to Hong Kong.

Why am I going here? This place has been featured on the T.V., in many, many Blogs and  in travel articles. I have been trying to get here for a while now, but something always gets in my way…usually my life. 

Tung Po Seafood Restaurant
(located in the middle of the 2nd floor)
For reservations: 2880-9399

Java Road Cooked Food Centre address:
2/F, 99 Java Road, North Point
Hong Kong

I will upload photos and tell you a little more when I get back.

My daughter started a blog: Froggy's Tattered Notebook:

My daughter has started a blog. We are using this as way to teach her about technology, the internet and for her to share her photos and knowledge about life at her young age.

Froggy's Tattered Notebook: http://froggystatterednotebook.blogspot.com/

"I am Froggy Girl. I am 9yrs old and I live in Asia. This blog is about my travels around the world with my Gypsy parents. I will share my favorite places, photos, books and my love for nature and Frogs!"

That my My Froggy girl

HIre someone to take you on a hike...

WALK HONG KONG

 

http://www.walkhongkong.com/homepage.html

Walk Hong Kong offers guided urban walks and day hikes catering to all tastes and suitable for all fitness levels. Our aim is to provide you with local knowledge and give you experiences that enhance your understanding of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has some superb hiking trails. The best-known hike is the 100km MacLehose trail, which intertwines with the 78km Wilson trail. Hong Kong Island itself has a 50km hiking trail. For our walking tours, we select the most interesting stages of these trails, often with variations based on local knowledge.

Walk Hong Kong Guided Tours: http://www.walkhongkong.com/alltours.html

We can take you hiking in some of Hong Kong's most unpopulated and pristine areas. Or join one of our guided walking tours that include Kowloon markets, Hong Kong history, photography workshops or bird-watching tours. Take advantage of Walk Hong Kong's extensive knowledge and share in our passion for this region

 

Sum Ngai Brass Ware Manufacturing Company

I took a group of people today to Sum Ngai Brass Ware Manufacturing Company. It was a great day. Anyone can go and I highly recommend the trip! Here is how you get there.

Website: http://www.sumngaibrass.com/s/home.asp

MTR Directions

1.      Admiralty station (red line: Tsuen Wan Line 1) get off at Mei Foo Station.

2.      Mei Foo Station get on the West rail line (Pink line) get off at Kam Sheung Road station.

3.      Exit the station at Exit B- (Travel time is about 1 hour)

Walking Directions

1.                  When you exit out B, continue to walk straight and walk over the footbridge.

2.                  Continue straight, cross at the crosswalk and Turn right (at the crosswalk you will see St Jude’s). 

3.                  You will pass a sign on your left “Red Brick house market” and public toilets.

4.                   Continue on until you see the sign on your left for the Sum Ngai Brass Ware. 

______________________________________________________________________

Don’t forget to bring…

•       Bags to carry your goodies

•       Money, Money

•       Octopus card

•       Umbrellas

•       Snacks

•       Don’t forget cameras

•       A sense of adventure J

FAQ:

Does the Brass Ware Manufacturing Company accept Credit Cards and Cash? They accept both

What can I buy there? Brass ware / Cloisonne Ware / Porcelain Ware / Lamp Shades

What else is in the area besides the Brass Company to visit?  On the weekends there are two open markets to visit. One market is right out Kam Sheung Road station- Exit B and the second market place is the Red Brick house. We will pass both on our way to the brass company.

Where can we eat? There are restaurants farther down the road pass the Brass ware company. The MTR station has a bakery, a 7/11 and a Tea & Soup shop. According to the Market websites the open markets might also have food.  CLO recommends bringing snacks.

Photos:

This photo was taken from http://www.sumngaibrass.com/s/p2.asp

Photo from Rambling Gypsy 2012

Photo from Rambling Gypsy 2012

Photo was taken from http://www.sumngaibrass.com/s/p2.asp



Typhoon Brewery, Mui Wo, Lantau Island

I have not had the chance to taste it yet. You can only find it in a few places. My Husband liked it, but our friend didn't. Once I get the chance to taste it for myself I will let you know all about it....but FYI I am not an avid beer drinker...I am a whiskey/Scotch Girl.

Info taken off their facebook page:

Typhoon Brewery was established to bring the taste of real ale to Hong Kong. Try our signature bitter, T8, at the Globe on Graham Street, in Soho, The Gallery in Tong Fuk, Lantau Island, and Bahçe Turkish restaurant Mui Wo, Lantau.
Mui Wo, Lantau Island, www.typhoonbrewery.com.hk Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Kung Hai Fat Choi! Apple Marketing

 2012 year of the Dragon. I found these at the super Park N Shop in Aberdeen.

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Meditating at the Peak

We were at the Starbucks with our friends getting ready to have a morning hike. Our daughter finished her tea and asks if she could go outside and explore. It is perfectly safe and we could see her. We watch her run outside and seat on the cold ground. We watched her for five minute; some of the other kids ran out and asked her what she was doing. I finally couldn’t take it anymore I went out and asked her what she was doing. She was meditating before the hike!  

Photo taken by Rambling Gypsy 2012

Hong Kong Trail Pt 2

I am back with photo from our hike and  I found more interesting websites...

Photo taken from Rambling Gypsy

Photo taken from Rambling Gypsy

Awesome website! Hong Kong Adventurer: http://www.hkadventurer.com/index.html

Everyone's favorite CNNGO: Best hiking in Hong Kong: http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/play/hiking-hong-kong-141663

Leisure and Cultural Services Department - Hiking Scheme : http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/healthy/hiking/en/index.php   

Hong Kong trail Pt 1

We went on a hike with a group of friends and kids. It was a great day for a hike. It was not too cold and and not to hot. The humidity was not to high, but it was a cloudy day. I am always curious what you can see on a hike. So I going to post a few photos.

Travel tip for visitors: This is one trail you don't need to hire a guide for something you really need a guide for. Save your money and print the hiker's map off one of the websites below.

Here are a few photos to show you the day. Scroll further down (pass the photos) to reference to websites that can guide you through the hike.

Photos taken by Rambling Gypsy

Photos taken by Rambling Gypsy

Photos taken by Rambling Gypsy

Photos taken by Rambling Gypsy

Photo taken by Rambling Gypsy

photo taken by Rambling Gypsy

Hong Kong Outdoors is a great website: http://www.hkoutdoors.com/hiking-and-biking-in-hong-kong/hiking-in-hk.html

If you have a strong passion and want to get really involved you will enjoy this website: Hiking Hong Kong Group: http://www.hiking.hk/?gclid=CNWp7tOjp64CFQpshwodO070Ug

The peak is where we started the trail. Here is the website that has a map: http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/1_3.asp

I will post more tomorrow about the hike......

How do say " Happy Chinese New Year"?

OMG! I hear this said in different way, but the more I learned the more I missed something. Here is the break do of what I have learned.

Standard New Year Greeting - Kung Hei Fat Choy (Congratulations and Prosperity). Should be the first word out of your mouth when greeting friends and family or anyone for that matter. http://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/comments/oe3bt/chinese_new_year_etiquette_for_the_uninitiated/

Definition: 恭喜發財! Chinese greeting for Chinese New Year.

Pronunciation: gōngxǐ fācái

Also Known As: 新年快樂 (Xīnnián kuàilè)

http://chineseculture.about.com/od/thechineselanguage/g/Chinese-For-Happy-New-Year-Chinese-New-Year.htm

The simplest of ways to show your well wishes for a prosperous new year is to say "gong xi fa cai" -- which means loosely "congratulations and prosperity." http://goasia.about.com/b/2012/01/20/say-happy-new-year-in-chinese.htm

 Chinese (Cantonese)Gung hay fat choy (a New Year greeting meaning, "May you become prosperous.")
Sun nien fai lok (meaning, "Happy new year")

Chinese (Mandarin)Xin nian yu kuai
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/calendar/newyear.shtml

What do I say? Gung hay fat choy

The year of the Dragon & I am Dragon

I am a Dragon... what does that mean  for me? My curiosity always gets the best of me, so I did a little more research.

 

All information came from Chinese fortune Calendar.com. My comments will be in Yellow.http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2012ChineseHoroscope.htm

According to Chinese Five Element Astrology Calendar, 2012 is the Year of Water Dragon . The color of Water in Five Elements system is related to Black. Therefore we can say 2012 is a Black Dragon, Water Dragon or Black Water Dragon year.

Chinese Astrology is a Balance Theory of Five Elements. Each animal can be converted into Five Elements. Dragon contains Earth, Water and Wood. It's a source of Water and It is also called the Water Dam in Chinese astrology. Since Water of 2012 comes with Dragon. it implied Water from the sky makes a dam overflow. Therefore 2012 is a strong Water year.

Dragon is a legendary animal and it is symbol of emperor in China. Since the Dragon is coated with mysterious color, Chinese consider that the dragon is unpredictable, untouchable and people cannot see its head and tail at the same time. Therefore, we can might see something unexpected happening in 2012. Also a person with too many dragons in the Chinese astrology birth chart will become smarter, sly and unpredictable in the coming year.

2010 was the Year of White Tiger and is the beginning year of the Wood cycle. 2011 was the Year of White Rabbit and is the middle year of the Wood cycle. The Dragon of 2012 is the last year of the Wood cycle. Dragon is the transition year to the Fire Cycle. The energy of Wood is in the East side. The energy of Fire is in the South side. We never know what will happen when turning from East to South. That's another sign of unpredictable Dragon year. You can have either good luck or bad luck in 2012, and will have a chance to turn it into better or worse luck.

Lucky Element is from your astrology birth chart. The Lucky Element is the major factor to determine people's fortune. 2012 is the Year of Black Water Dragon, which contains Earth, Water and Wood. If your Lucky Element is Earth, Water or Wood, then 2012 will bring you some degree of luck. Since 2012 is Water Dragon, people whose lucky element is Water will benefit more in 2012. Fire is the opposite element of Water. People whose lucky element is Fire will have more impact in 2012.  My Lucky Element is Wood or Fire.

If you go by my birth date I am a THE WOOD DRAGON

Wood has a modifying influence and brings creativity to this sign. Questioning and liberal, Wood Dragons enjoy talking about original ideas and are open to other points of view. They are innovative, imaginative practical and appreciate art in each of its forms. Generally less pretentious than other Dragons, Wood Dragons have an ability to get along with other people. They have the essentials to build a prosperous and happy life for themselves. Still, Wood Dragons are outspoken and at times a bit pushy to quell everyone, even in the most friendly quarrel.

If you go by my birth year I am a THE FIRE DRAGON 1916 AND 1976

The Fire Dragon is a powerful force to be reckoned with. This is a Dragon doubled! The Fire Dragon can move from calm and collected to combustible in a matter of seconds. In some ways the Fire Dragon is his or her own worst enemy. These Dragons cannot help feeling they are valuable and all-knowing. When they are right their vehemence and vigor is an asset to the cause, and though they value objectivity, they do not always employ the best decision-making measures, and sometimes jump to the wrong conclusion. They also suffer from recklessness and quick tempers. Yet, when they do keep their temper, emotions, and rivaling spirit under control, they emanate a commanding influence on other people.

You can check out my post “Chinese New Year 2012- The year of the Dragon” post Feb. 3^rd2011 from China guide.

Chinese New year is around the corner!!

Last year I went down the list of what each zodiac was for the next few years, but if you are just getting started...this year is the year of the Dragon.

Check out this website to find out what is going on in Hong Kong: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/chinesenewyear/en/index.html

What will I being doing this Chinese new year? Staying away from it all! I have done it and been there. Sorry, but the crowds are finally getting to me. I will hopefully be spending time with good friends away from the crowds.

If you haven’t attended any of the Chinese New year events, than I hope you will be attending! It is a must do in Hong Kong!

Kung Hei Fat Choy

What you need to know about Chinese New Year... Of course you can search all the websites... there is sufficiently enough information out there to confuse anyone.

1. Keep in mind prices go up around Chinese New Year. So if you are on a budget...do your reseach before you arrive here. I live here... believe I know how the prices go up on the Hotels and plane fare.
2. The Hong Kong fireworks take place on 24 January at 8pm. To beat the crowds, consider a harbor cruise (you will thank me later). If you're in town the night before, 23 January, be sure to catch the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade running through Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, starting at 8pm. FYI For the Night parade,  people start finding their viewing place hours before ( Like around 3pm).
3. The Lunar New Year Race Day takes place on the third day of Chinese New Year – 25 January in 2012. Gates open at 10.30am, first race 12.30pm. Check out Hong Kong Jockey Club (hkjc.com)  for Tickets.

Here is the thing I am not one to reinvent the wheel when someone has already done a great job, so instead of me rewriting about Hong Kong & the Chinese New Year etiquette. I found this AWSOME website that has already done it and more. Please visit it!!

Chinese New Year Etiquette for the uninitiated: http://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/comments/oe3bt/chinese_new_year_etiquette_for_the_uninitiated/