SoloXplorer

Australian uni student on exchange in Hong Kong.  Saving & sharing my little adventures here.

[soloxplorer]

Australia, Home 

13.09.2015.   »

We fought. It ended badly.

& I’m

relieved   

[soloxplorer]

Australia, Blue Mountains 

28.02.2015.   »

I've lived life like a highway pursuit for 20 years now.  I learnt last year you gotta take some time to explore the dirt roads every once in a while. 

[trepidatiouswanderlust]

[soloxplorer]

China, Hainan

02.Feb.2015.   »

This lady is my badass Aunt 

She cooks, cleans and prides herself on being the perfect homemaker 

She also worked her ass off to build her empire alongside my uncle  

This is the kind of woman I aspire to be 

[soloxplorer]

China, Hainan

10.Feb.2015. »

I suppose I fall out of love in much of the same way as I fall in love  Gradually, unexpectedly, completely reluctantly  

It's this slow uphill struggle in the rain of denial for the longest time... till a sudden shift. 

Stage One: Acceptance. This is where I allow myself to do what to just go with it. Things become so much easier and harder all at the same time. I stop struggling with controlling my thoughts and actions but my mind races with constant pros and cons, ways it could all go to shit, and what I'd do when if it does.

Stage Two: Admittance. Arriving to stage two is a one step forward two steps back kind of journey. My mind knows what come after, this deep sense of uncertainty... about the situation, about the other person, especially about myself. It only makes sense that I delay this epiphany as much as I can... often only allowing myself to venture here long after it's become irrelevant. 

[soloxplorer]

·         China, Handan

22.01.2015.   »

So I'm finally back at home 

At least that's what I'm suppose to feel, but really I'm not even sure what 'Home' entails anymore 

How does one define it? 

Oxford says:

NOUN 1 The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household: 1.1The family or social unit occupying a permanent residence: 1.2A house or flat considered as a commercial property 1.3The district or country where one was born or has settled on a long-term basis: 1.4A place where something flourishes, is most typically found, or from which it originates:

This is the place of my birth, the place of my first ten years of life, the place where my family is. If humans had roots my would be in these soils. 

But my branches were grown in different lands 

and my leaves crave different winds. 

[soloxplorer]

 China, Handan

25.01.2015.   »

I can't honestly recall the last time I had a family day out like this . It's almost foreign to me, I think I was an observer of sorts for some of it. I'm proud of my sense of independence, immensely so, but it seems I've forgotten how to be a part of an unit, of a family... It's okay I learn a little every time I come home 

On another note, looking at these pictures made me realise how quickly my little ducklings are growing up... When did they get so tall? I swear they were just babies learning to call me 姐姐 not too long ago. I wish I could be around for them more, I'm seriously a negligent older sister.  

[soloxplorer]

China, Handan

24.02.2015.   »

Everyone going places

I have this desperate need to rush but no direction at all 

[soloxplorer]

·         North Point, Cruise Terminal  

17.01.2015.   » 

...I don't know where all the time went but here we are.

My last night in Hong Kong 

It's freezing and I'm not really where I wanted to be on because apparently they close the rooftop garden but alas I have nearly the entirety of the Hong Kong harbor stretched out in front of me. I have no words to convey the empty hollowness of my chest every time I let my mind wonder when I'll get to see this view again. 

[soloxplorer]

Korea, Incheon International Airport

20.12.2014. »

We're here waiting

So they tell you to always get to the airport three hours before an international flight, well I've been here for about 3 and a half with about 3 more on the clock. 

It's not too bad tho, the view's alright and there's slow wifi. 

It's a nice time to slow down and relax a little, the next 24 hours will be crazy and this really has been a nice breather.

Korea you've been an amazing host, I'll see you again in the future.

[soloxplorer]

Korea, Hongdae

15.12.2014. » Korea Day 2/6

It’s raining, it’s snowing, it’s so cold I can’t feel my nose or toes.

Hongdae's still beautiful nonetheless 

Wandering it's little alleys and browsing the little trinkets in it's boutiques are the moments to remember.   

[soloxplorer]

Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Airport

14.12.2014. » 

It’s midnight at Hong Kong airport

Just about to fly out to to Korea & by all means I should be excited, and I am, but there’s this lingering sadness.

I guess I’m really realising I don’t have much time left here at all. I don’t know how to leave this place, this place where everything is so perfect now. God.

[soloxplorer]

Korea, Gangnam

14.12.2014. » Korea Day 1/6

I'M IN KOREA!!

It's all kind of surreal I mean do you see the snow?

Is this real life?

Leaving Hong Kong was exhausting, the intervals of naps on the plane helped somewhat but landing in Korea was too exciting. So apparently chingu lives in the newly developed Middle of Nowhere in Seoul and navigation was quite difficult on all sides but alas we made do.

After a much needed proper nap we ventured out to Gangnam for some lunch. It was the 'take off your shoes and sit on the floor' experience anybody with who's ever loved Korean culture can really appreciate. 순두부찌개 (Soondubu Jjigae) was amazing and with our tummies full we went on exploring.

I haven't been even close to the temperatures that Korea was offering in the last decade but its constant supply of street food got me through it. We were literally eating every step of Gangnam, from chestnuts to creampuffs before going to a cafe and devouring a 팥빙수 (Patbingsu)

Oh and we did some Gangnam Style shopping in between the food. Korea has some cute as sweaters and hats.

Awesome day, amazing kick off to this expedition.

[soloxplorer]

Sheung Wan, Oolaa

13.12.2014.   »

So I’ve figured it’s the absolute worst to not have constant internet access in this day and age. Had brunch planed with these two but it’s really all up in the air when you can’t even get in touch. Ugh. 

On the flip side I got to catch up with Sam for a bit. She’s a tough cookie to crack but she really is one of the people I will miss the most from HK.

It all worked itself out in the end, as it does more often than not.

Was so good to actually sit down and catch up with these lovely and talented ladies. They make me feel so welcome, Victoria even offered me her room while she traipses around the world. 

[soloxplorer]

Kowloon Tong, Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre

12.12.2014.   » 

Last #CMCcrew hangouts for me. Jha joked abt me coming back for this but we both know that was for the shits and giggles.

I missed out on Racks & the rave at Volar tonight, part of me feels really bad because of Sam and Cola but honestly LKF nights will always be there, the same can’t be said about CMC ones.

[soloxplorer]

Kowloon Tong, Dorm 702A

12.12.2014.   » 

I'm caught in between getting out of here as fast as I can because I have so many people to see, to say slow goodbyes to, and just stopping to take it all in because it's my very last night in my beloved dorm. 

This 8mx8m square has become home in the last three months and it hasn't quite set in that I won't ever look out this window at this view again.

I will miss Hall 2 and its rooftop, I will miss F7 and its wonderful people. 

Goodbye.

[soloxplorer]

The Peak, 白加道 Rooftop

11.12.2014.   » I think I have something like five days left in Hong Kong. 

Finally went up to The Peak, the view was amazing... and familiar, almost homey

Today I jumped over the glass panel to stand ledge of a building, climbed up a tram stop to enjoy the view on the rooftop and decided to walk down the mountain instead of taking the tram.

The girl who left Sydney a little more than three months ago wouldn't have done any of those things. I think about how much Hong Kong has changed me, how much it's bettered me, and how I just don't want to leave.

Hong Kong is Home

Leaving will be unimaginably painful

[soloxplorer]

New Territories, ___

10.12.2014.   » 

Last meal with these guys for a good while.

I can’t honestly say they’re my best friends at this point but God knows they we're fast on their way there.