Tuesday, April 24, 2012

U is for Upchuck

If you're looking for the Wednesday Hodgepodge questions you'll find them here.

I was overdue for a catchy title.
That's kind of catchy isn't it?
Timely too since today's post involves a ferry ride without Dramamine.


Let's back up a bit.
All the way to England in fact.

In case anyone is new here today allow me to bring you up to speed. I'm an American as are my husband and children. We lived and worked in England for six+ years on a corporate assignment before repatriating back to the states in 2009. Rarely a day goes by that we don't think of or mention 'the other side of the pond'. We hold the years we spent in England close to our hearts and the friends we made there even closer.

G and A are two such friends and as is often the case with expat friends, they've also moved on. It just so happens they're living in China these days so they hopped a ferry over to Hong Kong to spend the weekend with us. Not the ferry referenced in my title...I'll get to that one in a minute.

The last time we saw G and A we were here-


An English Village Fayre.


Just a couple of weeks prior to the fayre we were together at a Cricket Match. Our friend G is serious about his Cricket.

We've sampled French champagne in France, shared countless breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, we've even belted out the lyrics to Oklahoma, karaoke style of course. That last bit was just the guys but still, I could go on....I would too, except I think I was supposed to be talking about Hong Kong.

When you're with friends the where doesn't really matter.


On our first day together in Hong Kong G suggested we go to the island of Cheung Chau. Remember how I told you yesterday Hong Kong has 263+ islands. Well, this is one of them.


Cheung Chau is a fishing village and that sounded like a nice way to spend the day. Except for that darn ferry. Ferries are not my friend and I know this yet, I continue to ride them. I make it a point to always take Dramamine when I ride a ferry but on this day I did not, hence my post title.


Hubs took the pictures here because my head would not stop spinning. Do you know what you don't want to smell when you're queasy from a ferry boat ride?


Dried fish.


Wet fish either for that matter.
Guess what there's plenty of in a fishing village?

We had lunch beside the water and by we I mean they. I had a lovely ice cold sprite which was a good thing because this was the scene beside our table.


He pulls the basket up out of the water and gives the fish to the lady with the machete.


The fish seem to know what's coming because they flip and flop a bit before she scales them with that same machete.


Then she uses it to cut the fish into pieces. Afterwards the guy at the restaurant walks about three steps to the water and collects the fish which he then cooks and feeds to the patrons.


That would be us.
Really just them because I think I mentioned I was still nursing an ice cold sprite.

We meandered a bit before getting back on the ferry. I was excited about the prospect of another trip by sea but we were on an island and there was really only one way off. I survived.

We cannot resist a good sign-


In case you're wondering Octopus is the name of the Hong Kong metro card. The wording made us all laugh and simultaneously pull out our cameras.

For now I'll leave you with this picture...it would seem that riding a ferry boat makes some people smile.


Or it could just be the company.

20 comments:

  1. Ferries seem to have one effect or the other on people... There seems to be no in between. We ride one to our "camp" and it never has affected me, but we have had guests who were down for the day after the 30 minute ride!

    I just posted that I need lots of advice, pop over if you get a chance and tell me what you think.

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  2. Always fun to meet up with friends! I love the sign! I have to admit the title worried me a little. Bless your heart!
    until next time... nel

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  3. I sympathise - I don't travel well on boats of any description. It's great that you were still able to have quality time with your friends even when you were feeling so poorly.

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  4. I think you made a wise decision with the sprite. I'm sure the lovely smelling air did not help your plight. But at least you had good company to make it all worth it.

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  5. Yikes motion sickness is the worse! That is so cool really no matter where you travel chances are there is someone you know living near by....makes the trip all the more special!

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  6. So glad that you were able to have fun even if a bit queasy.

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  7. I can't think of much worse feelings than nausea. Had it many times myself and it's so miserable! I can't stand being on a boat that rocks. BLECH! Nonetheless, I stand in amazement at how you were able to carry on and still make the best of a less than perfect experience.

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  8. You know, I never got seasick until after I had children. Which really sucks since we live at the coast. LOL So glad you go to see old friends! That always makes everything better!

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  9. Ugh. I would have been right there with you. Just reading this post makes me queasy

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  10. All I can think of is Wow! You have been everywhere!

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  11. I'd recommend you avoid the ferry between the north and south islands of New Zealand. It lasts a couple of hours and the water is rough!
    Expat friends are the best, huh?

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  12. i have only been on a ferry once--i don't think it made me sick--i usually like coke or ginger ale when i am feeling queasy---looks like you have had wonderful friends and experiences--you are very blessed :)

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  13. I find it interesting that you love water yet get the motion sickness. Hmm.

    I find the pressure wrist things work for me when I HAVE to do the water thing. Flying too. They're not pretty but better than the queasy tummy. Although I don't think they would have helped with the seaside scents. ;)

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  14. Upchuck is so much better than ukulele. :) I would have been nursing a sprite right along with you!

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  15. I get motion sickness quite easily, too. I think watching and smelling the fish cleaning would've definitely sent me hurling :(

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  16. Got my questions for Hodgepodge copied and ready to put link up...but read your "U" post and wanted to say how green with envy I am that you got a chance to reside in England. That is one country I'd love to live in and explore for years. But, I know it'll never come to pass.

    Lucky you.

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  17. I love how you capture the world around you. Thanks for sharing!

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  18. I love your adventurous spirit and hearing about all the places you've been and the sights you've seen, even flopping fish. A queasy stomach mixed with the smell of raw fish - you deserve a medal!!

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  19. Glad you were able to hook up with friends on your trip. : ) So sorry that you got sick. : (

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