Had a small function in the Ghan tearooms for Xmas day together with the other volunteers that were still here. (about 10 of us)
The newest Kenworth prime mover was delivered early this year and has taken it's place with all the others in their pavillion.
They were also gifted several old trucks from various donors.
A beginning has been made on a new paviullion at the rear of the cmplex which will measure 60m x 40m
Our week in Hong Kong has come and gone. We had a great time, not long enough but srtill a relief to get home where there is some space between people!
We flew to Melbourne on 7th Feb and waited 8 hours for a connection to Singapore, with only enough time to walk from one end of the airport to the other before we left for HKG,
On arriving at the hotel (the selection of which I had put a lot of research into) we were shown to our room after a story about it being a belated honeymoon gained us a bigger bed on the8th floor and a bottle of champagne,
After Maureen had unpacked, I returned to the reception and returned with a booking for a a suite on the 29th floor.... I thought she would be happy,
The view from our new room helped mollify her somewhat,
we were surprised at the cleanliness and development of the place with a new state of the art underground rail system, all modern double decker buses and almost no traffic jams
The place was sooo clean considering a population of 7 million.
Disneyland was good with the grand parade spectacular. Access to the park is by it's own rail link and the carriages are decorated with mickey mouse figures.
Went on a conducted bus tour to "The Peak", a mountain behind the city from which the view is fabulous.
Each day brought it's own adventure and we were kept busy day and night
Maureen scored a new watch and I got an Iphone and camera.
Met up with an irishman named Ronan and his friend Janet who were staying at the same hotel. Sure made a fun time ofv breakfast and dinner.
One night .Ronan, Janet and their friend Tony came up for a party in our room and then decided at 1pm that we were hungry so went out for yum cha.
The return legs to Singapore and Sydney were by A380 for the first one we were seated on the top floor and the second, the bottom floor. The plane was so quiet we could pretty much only hear the wind rushing over the fuselage
Stayed overnight with Lachlan at Cronulla. Must say the cool sea air was good.
Was very impressed to see Lachlans physical improvement, the result of a 10 week boot camp as he wants to take on Kokoda in April.
Home at last to dust and 42oC temps.
