More recreation opportunities in HK

In October the weather is still very nice and warm, but slowly slowly cooling off and humidity easing back. Our outdoor pool is open till November, but when I look down from the windows of the apartment it is usually a solitary lap swimmer instead of a group of children and their mothers.

We've started swimming lessons indoors with a patient teacher named Ben. Kate is working with him even though he's (gasp) not a girl teacher! Sam is beat after one hour of laps which he actually has to complete (as opposed to his swim ethic with the Alligators at home). Tennis is great for me (not my play mind you, just the opportunity to meet with other lady players) and courts are nice condition right across the street. Kate does well at her lesson when she pays attention. Sam tries to play, but often times resorts to baseball swings.

We are going to join the American Club soon. It's a facility next to our building and downtown as well. I want to check out the "store" which supposedly has American groceries for sale that might not be at Taste or Wellcome (other groceries we get home delivery from). Their tennis courts are visible from our apartment and lighted for night time play. They have an all weather synthetic grass surface... I get to be a sub on a league of ladies! The pressure, the pressure!

Ron is going to use the downtown club for his networking and exercising.

This past weekend we got to take the office junk boat out for the day with other families. It was beautiful. The kids enjoyed jumping from the top of the boat and calling me fraidy cat because it took me awhile to get the guts to jump again (last time I had a wardrobe malfunction when hitting the ocean). The kayak was going in circles as went paddled to Lantau, but we got there and back. The speedboat took out the water skiers and tubing enthusiasts. Tiger, our driver, let Sam steer the boat.

HK has a week fall break from school. We are heading to Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City first and then to a beach resort Phan Tiet). My running partner, Anna, in the picture is going to be in the next resort over so we have Swedish/Hong Kong friends to go out for dinner with while we are there. Anna's youngeset is playing guitar with Kate in the pictures. The website says they have bicycles for guests and I am missing being able to ride a bicycle for leisure. These two, Anna (gray shirt and kayaker) and Ellen (yellow shirt), want us to sign up for the Hong Kong marathon in February. Ron and I will probably do that, along with Anna's husband. Ellen's husband will be moral support.

My bank card was turned off yet again for suspicious foreign activity and when we are in Vietnam it will happen again I believe. Makes it hard to buy stuff when the ATM denies all access. Maybe this is good! The foreign transaction fees are quite annoying.

I am thinking of fall at home and missing all the activities (Fall Festival, political signs popping up, leaves falling and raking, Light the Night walk for MR, pumpkin carving, etc.) that go along with it. At least the Quarry Bay Halloween Disco is coming up!! Does anyone want to send bags of candy over? The bags are 70 HKD apiece (7.8 HKD is equal to 1 USD) so I have to get my ATM warmed up.