2020 in Hong Kong (due to Covid)

2020 wasn’t all bad....

2020 started for me in Doha, Qatar airport recovering from a 24-48 bug. I had been in Doha for basically two days after an amazing 9/10 days in Karachi, Pakistan. While everyone was toasting in the new year with bubbles I was trying to drink some sparkling water. To say I was feeling unwell is an understatement! 

On landing back into Hong Kong I was straight home and into bed.

Thankfully I started to recover on January 2.

The next couple of weeks passed by super quickly as I was flat out at work.

Winter in HK (Jan 2020)

Chinese New Year was early this year, 25-28 January. Lauren and I had planned a scuba diving trip to the Philippines. Was becoming an annual trip for me. See travel blog Anilao, Philippines.

It was very cold back in Hong Kong (compared with the Philippines).

Taking the Star Ferry (Feb 2020)

Coffee at Fine Print (Feb 2020)

Hiking the Morning Trail (Feb 2020)

After working from home (WFH) for the first week of February I decided I needed to go back to New Zealand to see family.  I had struggled being alone, even though every day I would walk down to Fine Print to get coffee. 

Valentines Day I flew Hong Kong to Sydney then onto Wellington.  There was only 6 of us in premium economy. Thankfully we didn't need to wear a mask, unless you wanted too.  The staff actually had time to chat which was nice. 

A few days into being in NZ the HR team was split into A and B teams for two week intervals.  This meant if it was your Team in the office you could go in.  I was in Team B so delayed my return back to HK by 2 weeks. This meant I was I was in NZ for 3 weeks.  I was lucky that I could work the whole time. 

After few days being back in Hong Kong (early March) more restrictions came into play.  This included two weeks quarantine (in your apartment) if you had been overseas.  So glad I got back before that came into effect.

Some of my upcoming flights were cancelled by Cathay Pacific - Dubai and Cebu.  For one to KL I had the option to either keep or cancel.  I choose to cancel.  My bank balance increased with all the refunds coming in!

In March I also learnt to walk and run while wearing a mask.  It actually wasn't as bad as I expected it would be.

HK waterfront at Night (March 2020)

Coffee at Fine Print with Kylie and Tim (April 2020)

Hiking the Morning Trail (April 2020)

Coffee post hike (April 2020)

Easter (April 2020)

Easter Sunday dinner at Kylie and Tim's was great!  

 

 

 

Drinking Limoncello at a Restaurant (April 2020)

Sorting postcards.....(April 2020)

Weekend at Kat and Sean's - Aperol Spritz's and Fejioa's (April 2020)

Post hike coffee at Fine Print (May 2020)

James's Birthday drinks in the New Territories (May 2020)

Duddell's Champagne brunch with Kylie and Mon (June 2020)

 

 

In June I also "celebrated" my 20 years since leaving New Zealand. And we returned back to the office full time.

Staycation in Cyberport (July 2020)

The Streets of HK (July 2020)

 

Mid July we returned back to WFH. I did have the odd day back in the office when it was Team B's turn. 

Breakfast at Fine Print (August 2020)

 

Haircut (August 2020)

Helping a friend move apartments (Sept 2020)

Cheung Chau with Kylie (Sept 2020)

 

Ham Tin Beach with Kylie and Tim (Sept 2020)

Walk along Pik Shan Path (Sept 2020)

Weekend with Kat and Sean (Sept 2020)

Dinner at Park Island (Oct 2020)

Walk along Pik Shan Path (Oct 2020)

 

Drink at Fine Print (Oct 2020)

Drinks with Kylie and Tim (Oct 2020)

Weekend with Kat and Sean (Oct 2020)

Walk along Pik Shan Path (Nov 2020)

 

Visit to Ikea - people pretending it's their own living room...... (Nov 2020)

 

Night out on Elgin Street (Nov 2020)

Morning Trail (Nov 2020)

Visiting Tin Hua (Nov 2020)

 

Taking the Peak Tram with Kylie and Tim (Nov 2020)

Walk around with peak with Afshan, Adrian and Armaan (Nov 2020)

 

13 November 2020 was the effective date that everyone coming back into Hong Kong needed to quarantine at a hotel instead of at home. 

Late November the Park Island girls and I had a weekend on a houseboat as a farewell to Kat.  Great fun!!! Took days for me to stop rocking!!!

Hong Kong had an outbreak of local Covid cases due to ballroom dance clubs.  I saw videos that I'll never be able to unsee - older ladies (grandma's) dancing with topless young guys 

Monday 30 November 2020 the government announced that all schools are closed, effective today, until 2021.

Early December Kat and Sean left Hong Kong for good, returning back to New Zealand. 

Itty Bitty and Buddy staying with me before moving to New Zealand (Dec 2020)

Tuesday 8 December additional restrictions were announced. (1) restaurants are to close at 6pm; (2) gyms and beauty places are to close; (3) the government announced they are changing the quarantine hotels, there will be set hotels only.

23 December was Tim's birthday. Mon and I went over to their place for bubbles and ice cream cake.

Making Pavlova - practice run for Christmas Day (Dec 2020)

I took the week of Christmas off as annual leave.  Was use it or lose it.

Christmas Eve further travel restrictions came in, effective midnight.  Everyone must now quarantine for 21 days, regardless of where you travel from.

Christmas Day (Dec 2020)
Kylie, Tim, Mon and I did the pig walk, also known as Pik Shan Path.  Back to my house to put the Turkey into the oven. Thankfully Tim came and helped me carry it back to their place.  So much food and booze!  

 

V's 4oth birthday (Dec 2020)
Due to the covid restrictions we had Vanliza's 40th birthday at Anna and Simon's house where we hired a private chef.