Hong Kong & China 2007

Simple Plan:
Oz -> Hong Kong -> China -> Hong Kong -> UK

Expaneded Plan:
Sydney -> Hong Kong -> Beijing -> Hong Kong -> London

Date:
31/8/07 - 14/9/07

Flying:
Cathay Pacific Business Class!! + Air China :(

Cost:
$$$$$$

Things you see everywhere in Australia

Hayman Island

• blue water
• sandy beaches
• trees
• resort staff
• conference guests
• American tourists
• kids
• people in swimming costumes
• alcohol
• wedding

Day 6 11/8/07 - Australia

Hayman Island -> Hamilton Island -> Sydney

Highlight

• Our last day. We got up this morning with a bit of apprehension, not only because it was actually going to be 26 degrees, the warmest it has been all week, and sunny too, but also because we ha to contemplate the thought of packing.
• For our last breakfast, we didn’t even stuff ourselves, but I did have another champagne cocktail.
• The weather was nice enough for us to enjoy some last minute catamaraning. It’s certainly better here than Thailand, as there is actually wind and the area is much bigger, plus the water is so much cleaner.
• One last dip in the pool, before we checked out.
• We managed to play the golf driving range, pool, racquet ball and croquet before our transfer back, this time on a luxury charter boat instead of the normal boat.
• The flight back went smoothly, we didn’t miss our check in, didn’t go over in our luggage and the flight was not delayed.

Food

• Azure breakfast:
  • croissant with strawberry jam and smoked salmon and cream cheese
  • almond Danish
  • apricot Danish
  • chocolate muffin with melted chocolate chips
  • omelette with everything except cheese
  • zucchini and onion
  • eggplant with Napolitana sauce and cheese
  • mushrooms
  • duck sausage
  • bircher muesli with stewed prunes, cherries and berry compote
  • champagne cocktail with blue cheese and fig
• champagne
• orange juice
• carrot cake

Day 5 10/8/07 - Australia

Hayman Island

Highlight

• Slokky said the weather was going to be horrible today, so I planned a slow day with nothing to do, little did I know it was just his ploy to do nothing, as the sun was shining and the weather was the warmest it had been all day.
• Watched the fish feeding frenzy around the lagoon
• A late breakfast was in order after the excesses of yesterday’s dinner.
• A slight change of plans because of the weather, we decided to take a dingy out to visit a few of the island. Unfortunately the waves were too rough so we couldn’t go either, so onto Plan C, we got a boat transfer to Blue Pearl Bay 2.
• The boat transfer was lots of fun in itself actually, if you like riding huge waves at high speed and getting your face splattered with water.
• There was still glimpses of sun when we arrived on the spectacular Blue Pearl Bay, so we bit the bullet and dived straight into the snorkelling. The water was spectacular, there were so much fish everywhere, and they would just swim right up to you. We snapped lots of pics so hope they turn out.
• Unfortunately, the sun went into hiding again, so the water turned cold very quickly, and we had to leave the water.
• 2 pieces of misfortune greeted me. 1, I managed to scratch my leg against some coral, resulting in some pretty bad stings. 2, the speed boat ride back was even more exciting. We were going really fast and actually overheated, meaning that we were stranded in the middle of some wavy water for over 5 minutes. I was glad nobody threw up.
• Went to Spa Chakra to try out the steam room and plunge pool. For novelty value only really, it was nothing exciting.
• We wanted to grab a sunset cocktail at the Beach Pavilion, but it was closed early because of yet another wedding, so we walked along the beach to take advantage of the low cloud cover, to try to watch the sunset. However, the tide beat us to it, and we couldn’t actually walk out enough to see the sunset. Still, watching the sky change colour is magical enough.
• Had a quiet night in, to give our stomachs a good rest, and to actually eat some of the food we brought with us. Some instant noodles, cake and chocolate later, our load was lessened, but we were bringing a bit of chocolate home.
• Finally tried out the War of the Rings board game that we borrowed. It took forever to set up, had a million rules, even though we only used the "simplified rule". It could potentially be a very good game, if you remember all the rules that is…

Food

• Azure breakfast:
  • mocha
  • strawberry Danish
  • peach Danish
  • raisin scroll
  • smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel
  • scrambled eggs
  • baked beans on poppyseed bun
  • eggplant Parmigiana
  • bacon and leek frittata
  • eggs Benedict with salmon and bacon
  • roast tomato
  • spicy beef sausage
  • mixed fruit with 4 cheeses
• palmier
• kim chi ramen
• banana
• English breakfast tea
• seashell chocolate

Day 4 9/8/07 - Australia

Hayman Island

Highlight

• After the decadence of last night, we went for a very light breakfast, as we were going for a feast tonight.
• Today they decided to tidy our rooms nice and early, so the room was already all made up after breakfast.
• The sun decided to stay hidden today, so that stopped everyone else from going on the sailing trip with us, so we had the boat, Lady Dee, all to ourselves.
• Lady Dee is the ultimate luxurious vessel. There are 3 bedrooms, a bathroom and kitchen area. We didn’t stay inside for very long though, taking in the scenery of lush green island and blue water.
• Our crew were Beth, from the Hawkesbury, and Christian from Germany. They were really nice, and let us go wherever we wanted. It was like having a private charter. I got to drive for a bit – it was easy as they did everything else and all I had to do was turn the wheel.
• After some trouble negotiating a path between the coral, we were dropped off on Langford Island, with a long stretch of beach sticking out, where we had lunch. Besides a few snorkelers also out on a boat, we had the whole place to ourselves. Probably a good thing that the sun decided to stay hidden though, otherwise we won’t want to leave.
• We had better luck finding deck chairs at the lagoon pool today, as most guests were probably holed up inside, away from the wind. We only lasted about 5 minutes in the pool before we gave up.
• What else to do on a overcast, windy day? We had a go on the 9 hole putting green, borrowed a board game, browsed the retail shop, took a door of Spa Chakra, and played a long game of snooker.
• The highlight of our dining experience is The Chef’s Table, prepared by Glenn Bacon, the executive chef at Hayman Island Resort, which is held twice a week and has only 18 spots. We dined in the hotel kitchen, on a long table, and enjoyed being spoilt by the top quality food and wine on offer. The highlight of it though, was definitely touring the kitchen, including the chocolate room where free samples of Valhona chocolate truffles were on offer, and watching all the bakers at work for the next day’s breakfast.

Food

• Azure breakfast:
  • mocha
  • peppermint tea
  • grapefruit juice
  • blueberry Danish
  • raspberry Danish
  • cheese scroll
  • mango and natural yoghurt with dried fruit and nuts
  • poached egg with hollandaise
  • Sicilian lyonnaise (pork) sausage
• lunch on Lady Dee:
  • orange juice
  • apple blackcurrant juice
  • carrot cake
  • fruit platter
• Chef’s Table dinner:
  • Don Perigon champagne
  • kingfish tartare
  • steamed Brunny island oysters with sake
  • mud crab and reen papaya salad with plantains
  • 2006 Henschke "Coralinga" Sauvignon Blanc
  • Guinea hen, savoy cabbage, black pudding and pork hock compression
  • 2006 Haan "Prestiage" Viognier
  • Hiramisa kingfish with baby abalone, enoki and pearl barley “risotto”
  • 2005 Dog Point Chardonnay
  • Pave of wagyu nine score with snail tart and Montpellier butter
  • 2001 D’Arenberg "Coppermine Road" Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Purple carrot gelle and sherbet
  • Variations of orange
  • 2004 De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon

Day 3 8/8/07 - Australia

Hayman Island

Highlight

• Our waterskiing plans didn’t eventuate as the kinds were too strong, so we ended up having a long breakfast.
• We did our hike around Hayman Island. The walk is on a pretty gentle, well marked path. The views were amazing, but the highlight was definitely landing on Blue Pearl Bay 1, while looking over to Blue Pearl Bay 2 (can't be reached on foot) with its crystal water, pebble beach, and the moored yatch around.
• Tried to go swim at the lagoon pool, but all the deck chairs were taken, so we had to go back to the main pool instead. Slokky jumped into the big pool for about 1 minute before deciding that it was too cold.
• We were curious what paddle skis were, but turned out to be some very nice kayaks. Paddled around in some very rocky water for awhile.
• Dinner at Azure again, this time for the seafood grill. I tried to eat my money’s worth with oysters, but only managed 18 before I was defected.
• Too full to even move, we retired to watch Zodiac in our room, one of the best movies to come out this year.

Food

• Azure breakfast:
  • champagne cocktail
  • pineapple juice
  • latte
  • hot chocolate
  • smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel
  • raisin bun
  • miso soup
  • chicken sausage
  • spicy beef sausage
  • beef steak
  • smoked salmon and spinach egg pot
  • French toast
  • pancake
  • fried potato
  • hash brown
  • grilled mushroom
  • Bircher muesli with berry compote and strawberry yoghurt
  • fruit and cheese
• marble cake
• seafood grill dinner at Azure:
  • oyster
  • prawn
  • crab
  • squid salad
  • pumpkin and sausage salad
  • salmon and potato salad
  • bean and egg salad
  • roast beef salad
  • couscous and fish salad
  • sushi
  • salt and pepper squid
  • chilli prawns
  • chicken and sweet corn soup
  • lobster and clams paella
  • Thai fishcakes
  • vegetable tempura
  • steamed whole fish
  • deep fried yabbie
  • fried salmon
  • fried kingfish
  • fish skewer with lemon
  • curry octopus
  • roast beef
  • chocolate mousse
  • passionfruit cheesecake
  • tiramisu
  • flourless chocolate cake
  • coffee slice
  • chocolate raspberry slice
  • crème caramel
  • orange poppyseed cake
  • carrot cake
  • fruit tart
  • fresh fruit
  • blue cheese

Day 2 7/8/07 - Australia

Hayman Island -> Knuckle Reef -> Hayman Island

Highlight

• Had a very enjoyable breakfast at Azure, sitting by the window looking right on the beach. It was a bit too cold to sit outside though. Only tried a small selection of food as we were going diving!
• Boarded Seaflight, run by Cruise Whitsundays. The oat was top class, and Hayman guests get special treatment (but we have to pay more than everyone else). Met Anne and Britney from USA, who were here for a birthday trip.
• Lots of activities on board, but we couldn’t actually fit everything in!
• Glass bottom boat – quite enjoyable, the marine biologist explained a lot of stuff, like what all the corals are called and what you were likely to see.
• Was looking forward to the "Subsea Adventure", a submersible. But it turned out to be not very exciting, we couldn’t see very much.
• Got suited up for diving, had a 1mm long suit with a 5mm short suit, but it was still freezing cold. We dived for 45 minutes but I couldn’t stand the cold. There were some pretty fish and coral, but much much less to see than The Similans and even our first Cairns trip, so in that sense was disappointing. The highlight was probably seeing (and touching ;p) Wally the giant wrasse again. I actually still had 90 bars of air left when we came up.
• We wanted to do a 2nd dive, but because of bad planning by them, we actually could not fit it in. Never mind, it was way too cold for me anyway, and it meant we could actually eat lunch.
• Lunch was not very exciting. We only got the leftovers of everyone else, and they actually packed up while we were trying to eat anyway.
• We only had about 15 minutes for lunch before we were whisked away for the next activity, which was a helicopter flight back to Hayman, visiting Heart Reef, Langford Island, Whitehaven Beach. The view was spectacular and was definitely worth the money ($349). We also saw a few whales on their migration from Antartica.
• Swam in the famous Hayman pool, but only the inside pool as nothing else was heated.
• Listened to the jazz and piano player in the Club lounge while Slokky ordered a girly mocktail.
• Watched them replace and wipe everything at turndown even though they only cleaned the room not too long ago.
• Had a quiet night in, looking at wedding photos, watch TV, read Harry Potter and of course the laptop. The free wireless access has to be the best feature of the resort.

Food

• Azure breakfast:
  • smoked salmon
  • assorted cold cuts
  • blueberry muffin
  • apple danish
  • rye bread
  • smoked salmon baked egg pot
  • hash brown
  • chicken sausage
  • chipolata sausage
  • croissant with strawberry jam
  • chocolate croissant
  • skim cappuccino
  • apple juice
  • pineapple juice
  • omelette with mushrooms, cheese and tomato
  • bacon
  • poached egg
  • brie with dried fruit
  • assorted fruit
• Lunch on Seaflight:
  • apple juice
  • bread roll
  • tortilla wrap
  • cold cuts
  • prawns
  • steamed mussels with tomato
  • crab stick salad
  • pasta salad
  • rice salad
  • potato salad
  • chicken
  • pineapple and melon
• tutti frutti mocktail ($12)
• English breakfast tea
• hot and spicy instant noodles ($1.50)
• chocolate seashell
• palmier

Day 1 6/8/07 - Australia

Sydney -> Hamilton Island -> Hayman Island

Highlight

• Things didn’t start off on a good note. For some reason, my usually reliable dad was late. It took him over 10 minutes to get ready to leave. Because he was usually so good, we didn’t factor in that it would take him so long to get ready, so we ended up missing our plane by 2 minutes, as all the Jetstar check in all “automatically” closes exactly 30 minutes before the flight is scheduled to leave. We knew the plane was still here, but they refused to let us on, even if we were on our honeymoon. The guy at customer service was quite helpful, but he just kept stressing that he had no power to actually get us on even if he could. He booked us on the next flight, but that was not for another 6 hours, and we had to pay $120 in late fee, which he tried to waive, but didn’t manage to.
• Defeated, we tried not to let that ruin our day, and spent the morning at Oatley with my relatives, looking at our wedding video and photos, and opening all the cards and presents.
• We made our way to the airport for the second time, we were 1 hour early, but still managed to be one of the last people to check in.
• Once we arrived at Hamilton island airport, things went very smoothly. From the seamless transition to our luxury cruise transfer, to the checking in process and the huge welcome cocktail that was served.
• The Resort was as we expected. After being in Asia, Hayman Island Resort certainly does not beat them in service, but I believe it is the best resort in Australia (not that I have the authority to say of course, more of a gut feel kinda thing). Our room was very nice, not as big as Aspasia, but good enough that I can spend the whole week there.
• We did an orientation of the resort where we found out all the Internet was free, and we could get wireless everywhere, all the restaurants, the club lounge, our room, and hence my consistent blogging 
• Since we were up at 4am this morning for that flight we missed, we were dead tired, and retired early for bed (after the fantastic turndown service) after our beautiful dinner at La Trattoria.

Food

• cornbread, marble cake, palmier
• Hayman cruise:
  • champagne
  • bacon and chicken quiche
  • fruit skewers
• midori cocktail
• dinner at La Trattoria:
  • foccacia with balsamic oil and tomato salsa
  • zuppa minestrone ($17)
  • pappardelle allo scoglio ($34)
  • tuscan pizza ($27)
• camomile tea

Hayman Island 2007

Simple Plan:
Oz

Expaneded Plan:
Sydney - Hamilton Island - Hayman Island - Hamilton Island - Sydney

Date:
6/8/07 - 11/8/07

Flying:
Jetstar deathstar

Cost:
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Natone Hills Fly Fishery Bed & Breakfast

Room

Wow, I didn’t expect to have a big 3 bedroom house to ourselves. We had 3 big bedrooms to choose from. Our pillows were nice and comfy, but the double bed was a bit small and hard. All the beds were equipped with towels and electric blanket.

The place had a big living room, with some comfy but old chairs. The bathroom was spacious and newly done up, not fancily, just functional.

There was a carport out the front too that we had to share with the pigeons.

Rating - 4

Facilities

We had access to the fully stocked kitchen, flour, egg, cereal, pots, pans, all kinds of tea and coffee. You want it, it was available. There was a huge fridge, but alas, no freezer. We had a very small TV (a good thing). The bathroom even had toothpaste and loads and loads of toilet paper.

There was also a laundry and second toilet, a dartboard, loads of brochures. The best thing though, was that it was a working farm and in the morning you could go watch the cows being milked and have a go yourself. There are lots of tracks and paddocks you are free to wonder across as well.

Christine and Ian were very nice and very friendly. They talked a lot and invited us into their lives. They showed us around the place but left us alone too.

Rating - 4

Location

The location is both good in bad. Situated on a farm around 30 minutes from Burnie, it meant you couldn’t just get to the shops and go to restaurants or freshen up when you want, but the setting was so beautiful and quiet. Also because it was a farm there was no mobile reception.

Rating - 2.5

Food

We were given 6 fresh eggs, white and wholemeal read, loads of different jams nad butter, a huge supply of cereal and milk (sadly because of the law they couldn’t give us the fresh milk, which gets sent to be packaged), tea (green, peppermint, camimole, jasmine, breakfast), coffee, hot chocolate. They had sugar, flour, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, so I was able to whip up some pancakes for breakfast!

Rating - 4.5

Value

I couldn’t believe how cheap it was, at $60 a night, including breakfast supplies. I would definitely come back for more.

Rating - 5

Snooze Points - 20

Info

Greta Road
Upper Natone
North West Coast
TAS 7321
Phone (03) 6436 2181
Website

Riverfront Motel

Room

It was one of those holes in the wall. There’s enough room for you to walk between the two single beds, and that’s about it. We had a big suitcase so we had to step over it to get anywhere. The bed itself? The pillow was extremely flat, with a very soft mattress. The bathroom had a shower, a very small sink and nowhere to put your stuff.

Rating - 1.5

Facilities

Well, the light was not working so we had to make do with just the reading light. The kettle was one of those dumb one with no on/off button. It just boils when you plug it in, which of course meant it doesn’t turn itself off either, so you have to wait around to hear it boil before you turn it off. We were given biscuits and fresh milk, but there are really no other facilities. The curtain also don’t reach all the way past the bottom of the small slits of windows, and let the light through. Good thing we had a very early morning flight so it didn’t matter that much.

The service was very efficient (hey at least they had our booking!), I managed to arrange my check out the night before all without a problem.

Rating - 2

Location

It’s not in Hobart itself, but it’s not too far away. It’s easy to eat to Hobart if you have a car, and it’s actually a bit closer to the airport. However, except for a winery, there’s really nothing much around there. We couldn’t enjoy the supposedly beautiful views because we arrived after it was dark and headed off very early in the morning.

Rating - 2

Value

$75 per night, “discounted” from the rack rate of $79.

Rating - 2

Snooze Points - 7.5

Info

897 Brooker Highway
Berriedale
TAS 5001
Phone (03) 6272 6721
Website