Haser's in Hong Kong

I have been meaning to post a virtual tour of our new home....

So, with no further delay...

Here is a 'small' look at the place we now call home.

First, just to clarify where Hong Kong is EXACTLY...
Here are a couple of maps.
The map on the right shows Hong Kong's position in Asia.
The one on the left gives you a better idea of
how Hong Kong is composed.
Hong Kong is a series of very small islands.
We live on Lantau Island, bottom left,
not far from the airport (far enough though!)
(:

We chose this area for a couple reasons.

First, Todd works in Tung Chung (on Lantau Island),

so it is very convenient.  He can walk to work if he wants.

While housing is still skyscrapers, 

they are few and far between, so we still have open space around us.

It is away from the main city, but still easy to access.

Todd's company actually has business offices that are accessed through the mall, which is connected to the MTR (highly efficient transit that can get you anywhere in HK in under an hour).

That, and since it is NOT downtown, rent is a bit more affordable!

Our development is called Caribbean Coast.

Here is a little shot I grabbed online.

One side faces the water, the other the mountains...


Apartments or FLATS as they are called out here are VERY small....
So, we actually ended up securing two flats.
(It was cheaper to get two smaller flats, than one moderately bigger one by a LOT)
There are, I believe 16 Towers, each has between 60-65 floors.
It gets confusing for me, because the number '4' here is unlucky...
So, much like the number 13 in the states it is just skipped.
We (Todd, Krystin and I) are in Tower '5',
 but really it is Tower '4', but that would be unlucky.
(Because Cantonese, the local language is tone based, so the same word can be used and depending on the pitch/tone of the pronunciation changes the meaning.  Well, the number 4 is the same word as death, but with different tones, so you see no one wants to live in the death tower or floor even!) I SOOOO wanted to live in the 13th Tower, on the 13th floor (I mean I was born on the 13th)!
So... Anyhow, 4  is called 5, but if you look at the above pic, we are in the 4th one from the left.
Our other flat is in Tower 3 (Kayla and Logan),
so the towers are actually next to each other.

Towers 3 and 5 share an adjoining Lobby

There is always a security dude standing there, smiling.
Making sure everyone has an access card, which we have to swipe.

Inside the lobby it branches out to the left and right.
Tower 3 on the left and 5 on the right.
You have to swipe another set of doors to enter the separate towers.
Gateway to tower 5 (or 4, but shhh don't tell!)



Mailboxes are just passed the door..

Elevators


Inside the Elevator

(feel like you are here?)

Anyhow, back to the complex
Hong Kong has fickle weather.
it will be beautiful, sunny (and SUPER HUMID and HOT)
Then sudden RAIN storms come out of nowhere for 10 mins...
Drench EVERYTHING...
and disappear.

So...  The complex was designed, very efficiently with covered above ground walkways.

Mind you the path is much longer on the walkways,
so we usually brave getting drenched on the ground.

There is a clubhouse that has tons of fun stuff to do.
Some of which are tennis, bowling, free internet, other games, classes, gym, and much more.
We still have to fully check it out.
But it is neat.

The complex also has a convenient little mall.

My favorite store...
The Launderer (is that a word?)
Apparently, dryers aren't necessary out here...
The flats have washing machines only.
Well, I am seriously not that good at drying
by hanging 5 peoples clothes in humidity in a tiny 'flat'.
I can hang the towels and sheets even,
(hung to dry towels are exfoliating, btw)
but all the clothes... Not a chance.
They DO NOT DRY fast enough, too humid...
So.  This lady can wash and dry or even just dry your clothes
FAST - within a couple hours they are all done.
I really would rather have a dryer though...
I think I would, but really 2 hours all laundry for the week done.
Maybe, I am confused.

Yes, that is OUR Blue Trolly by the store.

We have learned carrying all your groceries by hand from the store is heavy.

Trollies are necessary!

Entrance to the Mall


Some pics in the mall.

There are various Restaurants

Home stores..
Realestate.
Hair cutting places
Beauty salons.
Clothing
Entertainment store
Preschools

 Our Number one Spot
The international Grocery Store
(I don't think we were really supposed to take pics,
but we took a couple on the sly) 

 It is a small store, but they have a good variety to choose from!

Oh yes, and they have a Health Clinic 

 Movie rental store,
AKA - Hong Kong Blockbuster!

 Japan home store has all your household items.
To the right there is some strange cleaning/bathroom supply store.
Great prices, cash only, but smells WEIRD
They have some sort of Chinese herbs or
something that smells so strange,
just in that STORE! (to the right below)

Place where Lo got his cool haircut!

Yes, and kids like scooters here too

The trek back to our flat(s)
Thanks Lo for pulling the Trolly!
(The complex has 3 shuttle stops A, B, C)
The mall entrance is at B (that is the B Shuttle)
They are free and NICE!
They come every 5-10 mins and bring you to the mall,
which happens to be where Todd works and where you can get on the MTR.
So the gateway to the rest of Hong Kong!
Awesome!

 The walk is not far...
Well, when you have a TROLLY!

You just have to be careful crossing the street. 

I think they believe in Natural selection.

That and the Shuttles are 'Race Buses' as Todd calls them.

I swear they WILL TAKE You OUT.

This is our shuttle stop. 

Yah, I should flip this pic sorry.

 The entire complex is so pretty...

 The giant pools above the walkways are crazy!

view of pool from Flat in Tower 5

To Be continued....

Ok. I will leave you with one more thing....

Remember Cracker Jacks Boxes?
and
How exciting it was to get the prize at the bottom?

Well, in Asia I haven't seen any, but...
When you go to a hole in the wall Asian place
(authentic!)
and you order Cashew shrimp...
The crispy noodles in the meal,
probably aren't crispy noodles...
SURPRISE!!!
they are probably baby deep fried EELS...
MMMMM