Zushi Puzzle

Am I being lazy by just putting up videos that my sister made? Maybe, but if you like sushi the food in this is pretty incredible - all courtesy of Chef Roger at Zushi Puzzle.

video from Berkeley

So my sister took a bunch of footage on her flip-cam when we were together in Berkeley - this one's got Mini the cat in it!

from Berkeley with love

There was a lot of love on this trip.

My sweet friends certainly brought me here with love and then let me loose to truly indulge in my love of ...

FLOWERS!! Jas likes them too.

And I had both Ritzi guard-dog love,

and my friend the buddah watching over me in the garden.

And even Swanee turned up to remind me there was love waiting for me at home.

It's nice to go away, but it's even nicer to come home.

flower gateway to ...

It was extremely lovely to have even just two days with my sister.

A couple of times a year just isn't enough,

even if she does always borrow my clothes.

It's nice to be with someone who loves all the same things,

and was even more excited than me when we spotted this wall of pink flowering amazingness right next to this,

gateway to fairyland?

dogs are funny

They do things that cats would never do.

Jasmine spotted this apple left by some lazy squirrel in the front yard.

And she wanted to eat that apple, yes oh yes.

Even though there are dozens on the ground.

And so she tried to get up there onto that branch in that tree.

A cat could get up there no problem.

But a cat wouldn't be interested in someone's leftover apple.

sister by my side

My sister has come up for a visit from LA!!

I'm not really that short - she's wearing very tall shoes!

And this is the first sunny day of the trip. It's nice not to need a sweater.

Oh happy day!

kitten at my door

I'm really having some serious down time here in lush and beautiful Berkeley, California.

Mini the cat is helping me to lie in the sun.

And I just don't have words for how beautiful this tree is ...

and I have no idea what it's called ...

but I love it!

figs outside my window

OK, so I haven't slept for a week but I did awaken to a marvel this morning ...

figs - yes figs!! outside my window!!

And giant palms outside my front door ...

because I have been transported to a magical wonderland also known as ...

my very own guest house in Berkeley - yes, in California!

I'm here for a week.

I want to be a beach bum

Hong Kong has sublime beaches - really it does. I don't think most people know this, but as someone who aspires to be a full-time beach bum, when people talk about beaches I pay attention.

(secret beach)

The most incredible beach was hands down the one that was close to the rock pool, but that is a real special occasion beach, and one that Lee and his friends often visit on a camping trip. To get there requires a taxi, a water taxi (very fun!) and then a hike because it's on Sai Kung. I was sworn to secrecy about the location because when you get there you are amazed at the whiteness of the sand and the blueness of the water and the emptyness of the beach, so I'm not supposed to tell anyone where it is - but I also simply have no idea.

(on the way to Deep Water Bay)

But the south side of the main Hong Kong island is peppered with bays and beaches. So what I loved about Hong Kong is that from downtown, I would get on a public bus for around 2 bucks and 30 minutes later I would be on the beach. And one day Lee and I took a bus and then hiked Dragon's Back trail to Big Wave Bay - that was an amazing day filled with butterflies, but we forgot the camera.

(you can see Deep Water Bay beach)

Deep Water Bay is the qickest one to get to, and then a bit further along is the popular and crowded Repulse Bay, but slightly off the beaten path as there is no direct bus service is South Bay Beach. This is Lee's favourite and also mine.

(Deep Water Bay beach)

Each beach has lifeguard stations, clean bathrooms, outdoor showers and a snack bar - this is how it should be!

(Repulse Bay beach)

So on the day before and the day of my birthday last year I took the bus ride to just past Repulse Bay then hopped off and walked the lovely street to South Bay beach.

(there is South Bay)

I proceeded to have two of the most perfect days ever.

(there is South Bay beach)

Apparently the weather at the end of May can be quite rainy. But not for me, for me it was hot and sunny almost every day of my trip and perfectly so on those days.

The water is refreshing but also warm enough that you can swim around for as long as you like.

And the food at the restaurant here at South Bay beach is amazing. I had the grilled salmon with mango salsa both days because it was soooo good I really wanted to eat it again.

It's quiet in the morning but gets busier in the afternoon.

This was such a happy place for me to lie in the sun, read a book, swim in the ocean and think about life. This was truly a blessing at that moment in my life.

Then it was time to head back into the city for an amazing birthday dinner.

I really have to thank Lee again for his amazing hospitality - he is a wonderful friend. And guess what? He just moved to Australia ...