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Last post from Hong Kong

So my last weekend in Hong Kong and I'm quite tired from work and exploring. I think I've started to miss home a little more and it feels right to come home now. Work went really well, and I've accomplished what I set out to do.

So I spent today on Hong Kong Island, because I really haven't spent that much time there - tomorrow I'm hoping to go to Aberdeen to see the little boats (if there are any left), and after an evening out with friends, I'll pack my bags for the off on Monday.

Work has been great and everyone has been so friendly. I've learnt much about the nature of business in Hong Kong and have been really impressed by the professionalism and expertise of all the people I've worked with. I been taken out for so many meals - I must have tried a bit of everything, including hot pot, japanese ice-cream (with sweet potato and iced green tea), Vietnamese, all sorts of Chinese food, including street food cooked on the corner of the road. I do crave good traditional English food, and will have a lasagne as soon as I return.

Shopping has also been great fun, especially for toys and figurines - I must have half of Mong Kok in my bag, and am really pleased with my prize possession - my own Michael Lau toy. I went with Wai, for whom it was a matter of pride that I pay the best price, moving me on from shop to shop until he was satisfied I couldn't get it cheaper. Its seems that there are two kinds of shopping here in HK, either designer expensive or fun and inexpensive - of course I've gone for the latter. There are malls everywhere, and I've got lost almost everytime I've been to Harbour City.

I've taken lots of photos and even a few little .mpg movies, which are more for the sound - you just can't show the hustle and bustle, people talking, the noise, the movement - when I've walked through markets I've just been amazed by the variety - looking at the fish market today, where most of the goods were still flapping, then the fruit and veg places overflowing with fresh produce, neatly stacked on top of each other. I've really enjoyed the experience of being here - its quite something.

So, probably post again once I've arrived back home, but for everyone reading that I've met in HK, I just want to say thank you, its been cracking.

Lights in Hong Kong

Its Monday night at the beginning of week 2 and I'd have hoped to have added a few more posts than I have. I just have not had the time - come on guys - would you waste the time in your hotel or spill out onto the streets of Hong Kong? Here's the postcard...

I've settled into routine at work and am enjoying my time with the other designers and staff, who are just the friendliest bunch I've met in a long while. I've been taken out most nights, shown some great places, from the crowds of people, all the shops of little vinyl figures in Mong Kok, to the peace and tranquility of the giant buddha at Lantau. Hong Kong has many lights. I've been taking as many photos as I can, and taking it all in. For a designer, this place is amazing, and I'm amazed by the variety of fun things in shop windows. Now that I've started to get off the main drag, there's so many markets and stores that just have so much to see. Food is great, and there's a great variety on offer, on Saturday I had Cantonese Chicken, so hot that tears ran down my cheeks, not surprising considering all the baked chillis on the plate.. On Sunday I had to rest, catch a movie and take stock, and now I'm back into another week.

The photo was taken in Harbour City - the big mall down the road, they've put a few decorations up.

Hong Kong Arrival

After a long flight, where I was bumped into First Class and my own bed - really. I had a bit of a rough time landing and was pleased to get off. The Stewardess saw I was looking a bit pale and had a kind young chap escort me all the way to into the Terminal. I caught a shuttle bus to the Hotel in Kowloon and crashed into my bed. Its funny how Saturday didn't really happen. I woke up this morning to this great view, with the spa and swimming pools directly under my window. I've already started the day with a Tai-Chi session with my instructor William, who was very impressed by my "Waves hands through clouds". I had to fess up that I was already learning, and he nodded his head wisely. I think he's got me for the next fortnight.

So, I'll be posting from Hong Kong over the next couple of weeks and hopefully putting up some photos. My room is its very own Wi-fi spot, which is pretty good. Sorry, I keep being distracted by the view up to Hong Kong Island.

Screen Printing Weekend No.1

Just returned from a weekend course at The Badger Press which was found in the small ads at Printmaker. This is the first time I've printed silk screen since university, and even that seems like a long time ago, so really it felt like another introduction. The workshop has a friendly atmosphere, and we worked well through the weekend to complete a number of prints from two screens. I seem to have come home with a bounty of work, and I feel inspired and creatively refreshed. It was particularly exciting to let the control drift a little and enjoy experimenting with the printing process. I still think my work was a little sterile, and I'm looking forward to visiting again before Christmas and experimenting a little more fluidly. Anyhow, I was really pleased by how much we all got done in the two days at The Badger Press. The image below is a detail from a woodland design I worked on. I'm already thinking about work I'd like to try out for my next visit.

Must mention that there is an open weekend on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st November, where you will be able to visit the workshop and purchase from selection of abstract paintings and prints from our patient instructor for the weekend, Michael Griffith.