Brrrrrr!

We capitalized on a break in the clouds to take to the streets this weekend with Ingrid in tow. Or should I say, with Ingrid attached? After years playfully mocking friends and others for donning the Baby Bjorn, I’m finally sporting one. Yes, fortunate for me that I’m half a world away and don’t have to hear the snickers of those who made the Bjorn standard issue on the mean streets of Noe Valley. But I can’t think of a city better suited for these things than Hong Kong -- Skinny streets, blind curves, steep hills, rampless staircases, heavy pedestrian traffic…..the Bjorn is perfect for this city.

We made a brief trip up the Peak that overlooks Hong Kong and Victoria Harbor. It was a bit hazy but beautiful all the same. We walked the hiking paths that encircle the Peak and took in some much needed greenery and peace and quiet. After a long week battling the Central business district, its nice to breathe some fresh oxygen. HK's skyline is nestled at the northern foot of the island beneath the peak, and the majority of the rest of the island is covered with beautiful near-tropical forests. But look closely over my right shoulder and you'll notice that the ground is concrete! To avoid the landslide issue and improve rainwater drainage, they've poured a concrete shell over much of the Peak!


It has been downright cold here in Hong Kong the past week or so. So cold that when we sat down out front of a pub over the weekend the thoughtful proprietor brought out a little plug-in heater to keep Ingrid warm while Lizzie and I enjoyed our pints. (Another Bjorn-benefit: hands free to drink your beer). The sadist in me could only think of having that same heater pointed at me in 4 months when I’m already melting like a candle from the HK summer swelter. But whenever I’m about to gripe about the cold weather I have to catch myself, knowing that I need my complaint piggy bank fully funded so I can really let the complaints fly come summer.

The Chinese Lunar New Year is almost upon us. We’ll be escaping the HK cold for the lower latitudes of sunny Singapore.