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About Me

I'm originally from Scotland, but have lived with my husband in Hong Kong since 1996. We arrived here around 10 months before the handover to China. People always ask me if there have been a lot of changes. There have certainly been some, but Hong Kong is still a good place to live.

Both me and my husband love to travel and spend most of our free time doing just that. We travel to: 1/ see new places, 2/ meet new people, 3/ try new food and drink and 4/ get lost and confused in new places.

We are both teachers which is great for travelling for two reasons: we are able to work in different countries and we get long holidays.

As well as living and working in Hong Kong, we have lived and worked in Finland, Turkey, Cyprus, Austria, Poland and Malta. Teaching overseas has often given us the opportunity to see a place at our leisure and really get a feel for it. I also love to visit and re-visit places. You always find something new, plus it is good to go back when you already know your way around.

My first overseas trip was when I was 14 years old. My parents did not have a lot of money, but when my mum saw how keen I was on going to the school classics trip to Italy, she scrimped and saved so I could go. The trip was fantastic. We visited Rome, Sorrento, Naples, Pompei, Paestum, Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius. My wanderlust was born.

If wanderlust is herediatry, I must have got it from my mum. Both my dad and sister detest travelling. My mum never had much oppurtunity to travel. When she reached her 60s she had only ever been to Scotland, England and Ireland. Then my aunt persuaded her to go out and visit my husband and I in Northern Cyprus. She loved it, though she discovered she was allergic to the sun. A point you may never be aware of if you've spent your whole life in Scotland!!! I invited her back the next year but she refused as she was off to the USA. Then she started saving for a trip to Australia, but sadly she died before she could achieve this.

Living in Hong Kong

Dragon Boat Day Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a good place to live. It's quite small, but with many, many people so it's crowded and you quickly get used to having little space.

There are always things going on here. People work long hours so the streets are busy and alive all day and all night.

Much of Hong Kong is built up and covered with tall buildings, but there are still quiet places to escape to. You can go for mountain hikes, relax on a beach or catch a ferry to the outlying islands. A big downside of living here, however, is our terrible air pollution.

Intro Updated Feb 13, 2012
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Comments (34)

Ekaterinburg May 20, 2012 at 5:51 AM Report Abuse

Irene,you will definitely love Sopron for it's own great ambience and of course it's such a complete contrast to Vienna. Another world completely. Have a great trip !
balhannah May 8, 2012 at 3:21 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for virtually touring Znomjo. I do hope you get there!
picek May 3, 2012 at 1:28 AM Report Abuse

Hi, Irene. Thanks for your kind comment from few days ago:) I see you live in Hong Kong, we really had spent some great time there!!
Redang May 1, 2012 at 10:07 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for your comment and ratings on my Maribor page!, a very nice city indeed maybe not too known I'm afraid
viewtheworld Apr 17, 2012 at 4:17 AM Report Abuse

Wow, You checked out some interesting things in BSB. How deep is that pool, requiring a full flight of stairs!!! ?? Reminds me of a friend's private pool in India..
Also,, nice pics of Al Mamzar Beach, Dubai - mostly overlooked by visitors :-(
yumyum Feb 18, 2012 at 4:41 AM Report Abuse

We've been to Brasov on a previous trip :-)
garridogal Jan 25, 2012 at 1:36 PM Report Abuse

Must be fascinating to live in Hong Kong!
Mikebb Jan 23, 2012 at 5:12 AM Report Abuse

Hope you enjoy Thailand, we were in Bangkok first week Dec 2011. Soukathai is special, however if this is your only temple visit you will love it. The museum is well worth visiting. Rugby post on your photo. Where??
bal_gopal30 Jan 16, 2012 at 4:42 AM Report Abuse

ur most welcome here in india...like u....
ranger49 Jan 1, 2012 at 6:45 AM Report Abuse

And a very good 2012 to you too Irene!