Time to Say Goodbye to The Rice Chronicles

 Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Last week I failed to make my weekly entry to the ricechronicles.  The reason?  I just plain, flat out forgot.  Yet, I have a good reason for this slip up.  Celia and I are embarking on a new chapter in our lives by becoming adoptive parents to a wonderful 17 month old boy named Aaron Chak Fung Budwill.  

We have been spending time this month getting to know him and will officially get our little superhero on March 30.  The bonding has gone quickly.  We love him and he hugs us and is very affectionate.  When we leave him at the foster home after our visit he is not happy about us leaving.  A good sign.  Whew.

Aaron is a Biblical name that means "mountain of strength. " Celia and I think it is a wonderful, great name.  We chose Chak Fung, because I had a kid in one of my classes who was named that.  I just think it is a very cool name.  I like saying it.  Later we found out from our Chinese friends that if you say Chak Fung with the right tone it means "mountain of strength!"  Since Aaron is a Chinese kid we thought it would also be good for him to have a name that reflects his heritage.  That Aaron and Chak Fung basically mean the same thing is really, really cool.

Aaron is coming into an interesting situation.  I am German Canadian, Celia is a Filipina, and Aaron is Chinese.  Doesn't matter.  We are a family and love is blind. 

After some discussion with Celia we believe it is time to shut down the ricechronicles since our lives are going to be centred so much around Aaron.  Instagram is better in keeping more regular contact and is a little more private.  If you want to follow us on instagram more info on how to do so will be forthcoming.

The ricechronicles had a great ten year run.  Thank you to those of you who have made encouraging and helpful comments about it over the years.  The ricechronicles helped me get over the tragedy of divorce. It was a great reminder and record that LIFE does goes on and there is always much to live for.  I am so grateful for that.  

Anyway below is a taste of what to expect on instagram: 

Our first meeting with the little fella.

As always.  Have a great week.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Cheung Chau Sunset

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Sunsets are quite amazing.  Here is one from an evening on Cheung Chau a few weeks ago.  Enjoy!

Have a great week everyone!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

 

Bride's Pool

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Bride's Pool is a must see in Hong Kong.  It took me 11 years, Celia 30 years to see this must see thing, but we were happy to finally do so.  Here is what others say about Bride's Pool:

Bride's Pool (Chinese: 新娘潭) is a stream pool with several waterfalls in northeastern New Territories, Hong Kong near Tai Mei Tuk. Mirror Pool is also located nearby.^[1]

Legend has it that a bride was being carried in a sedan by four porters on her way to meet her groom in stormy weather. As they passed the pool, one of the porters slipped and the bride fell into the pool and drowned. Therefore, the pool was named Bride's Pool in memory of the bride.^[2

Waterfall with tragic Bride's Pool below.  

Having a gander.

Celia nearby as well.

On a rock nearby.

On the trail going back.

Some nice scenery nearby.

Views going to and from Bride's Pool.

Tai Ma Tuc with Ma on Shan in the background.

Intrepid hikers.

Interesting steps.
 

Bride's Pool.  A very interesting hike and place.

Have a great week.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Cheung Chau

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Normally during Chinese New Year holidays we would be skiing in Japan, but sadly covid killed that off.  So we decided to explore Cheung Chau island for a few days and were happy to so. Some info from google: 

 

Cheung Chau is an island 10 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong Island. Cheung Chau Island has long been one of Hong Kong's most popular island retreats. The Cheung Chau Island meaning Long Island in Chinese, is an Island that is about 10 km. It is also nicknamed the dumbbell island owing to its unique dumbbell shape. It is one of the oldest inhabited places in the erstwhile British territory of Hong Kong and has a population of 22,740 inhabitants as of the 2011 census.

A trip to the Island village should be strongly considered if you want to have a peek into a typical Hong Kong Chinese fishing community. The community has now grown into a popular tourist spot but with limited modern conveniences. Usually good for a day-long trip, it is recommended if you like a ferry ride through the serene waters to reach the Island, wants to spend time swimming or relaxing on the beach. Or If you want to discover the local fishing village life and want to indulge in some mouth-watering seafood fare in traditional style. 

Mango covered by light powdered sugar.

Social distancing is pretty well non-existant.

Typical street fare.

Cheung Chau has no cars so there is a thriving bike culture!  Excellent.

The village is charming with narrow road ways.

Some wide open plazas filled with restaurants and bike rental places.

The harbour is colorful.

Celia on a rental bike.

The alley and tight roads in the village are great.

In the background is Hong Kong island and Lamma.

Poor boat ....

There are interesting hikes on the island.

We slept in a teepee!  The poles were bamboo!

A Canadian organisation established a care facility for those less fortunate.  Very good.

A typical street scene.

Another colorful harbor shoot.

Sunset on Cheung Chau.

Cheung Chau is a great place!

Have a great week!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk