Author Archives: noconbach
New Zealand South Island Scenery – January and February 2015
If you’re a Hobbit fan, you may have already seen all the landscapes we found on the South Island. For us, there was something new and exciting around every corner. The South Island is 500 miles long and the “Southern Alps” … Continue reading
Posted in Travel Journal
Tagged mountains, national park, New Zealand, ocean, Southern Alps, wine
Leave a comment
Hong Kong Memories 1995 to 2001
This post is mostly for the kids and other family members, the 3Gs, and Cindy Hamilton and others from our Hong Kong era 🙂 Instead of photos from our current visit, we’re recycling images from our six years living in … Continue reading
New Zealand animals – January 2015
Sheep, sheep, and more sheep. That’s what we expected to see in New Zealand. And we weren’t disappointed. The sheep are primarily merino, the kind that Stephen said would provide his next ski socks! At this time of year they … Continue reading
Posted in Travel Journal
Tagged animals, birds, black swan, cows, deer, New Zealand, Rural Games, seals, sheep, wildlife
3 Comments
Christchurch, 4 years after the quake – January 2015
From Hong Kong it’s a short (11-hour) flight to Christchurch on the south island of New Zealand. Very different culture, climate, food, buildings, people, everything! In September 2010 Christchurch suffered a serious earthquake, magnitude 7.1. Although New Zealand is on … Continue reading
Posted in Travel Journal
Tagged Cardboard Cathedral, Christchurch, Christchurch Cathedral, earthquake, New Zealand
2 Comments
Edible Hong Kong (January 2015)
Our first meal in Hong Kong was dim sum, or more accurately, yum cha, morning tea. Yum cha has the same food but slightly less expensive for breakfast and the diners are all sitting at their round tables reading the … Continue reading
Hong Kong, Our Home – January 2015
We lived in Hong Kong from 1995 to 2001 so the kids grew up knowing Hong Kong as their home. We took some photos of things they might be missing. Before discovering Sephora in New York, Liz had Sasa in … Continue reading
Hong Kong Transportation – January 2015
We didn’t rent a car in Hong Kong. The city is very walkable. There are also great choices for public transportation. It all starts with the Airport Express, a fast train from Hong Kong International Airport on Chek Lap Kok Island, … Continue reading
Posted in Travel Journal
Tagged Hong Kong, Hong Kong marathon, transportation, walking
Leave a comment
Men at Work, Hong Kong Style – January 2015
Hong Kong thrives as an international financial center, a major Asian commerce hub, and a popular tourist destination. There is plenty of high-end shopping in Hong Kong. This again is the new Elements shopping center in Kowloon. But the very … Continue reading
Colorful Hong Kong (January 2015)
On our first couple days in Hong Kong we rushed around to some of our favorite spots: Stanley (via the #6 bus), the Flower Market, the Bird Market, Bowen Road (for running). We arrived in Hong Kong about a month … Continue reading
Posted in Travel Journal
Tagged Bird Market, Chinese New Year, Flower Market, Hong Kong, orchids, satsuma, sheep, Year of the Goat
3 Comments
Aloha to Hawaii, Part 2 (January 2015)
This time Aloha means goodbye. We’re reluctant to leave. Hawaii is such a beautiful place. The people have been extremely friendly. It’s the practice of “Mahalo.” While we often hear people using this word to say thanks, it really means … Continue reading
Posted in Travel Journal
Tagged Alae Cemetery, Big Island, Hawaii, lava, Lehua, monkeypod, Ohia
1 Comment
Finger Lakes to Lavender Fields 