Tuesday 29 December 2009

We've done it!

We're back! We've just spent three nights in China visiting all the sites our forefathers travelled to and have just arrived back in Hong Kong. The days have flown by and I'm feeling a bit spaced to be honest. I'll write about the events seperately, but we've been to Ping Chau - the island on the way to the landing point; nan ao - the chinese holiday town where they all landed; driven through the mountains they walked over; visited walled fortresses and temples where they slept; eaten all kinds of crazy foods; banquets beyond belief; met some old boys who were ex guerillas; visited museums and recreated the famous waichow photo on the exact spot our forefathers took theirs! Just awesome.

Friday 25 December 2009

Welcome new readers!

So, a quick welcome to new readers. Why are you reading this site? Well, take a quick read of the description in the header at the top of this page - that's how it all started in a nutshell. Now, 18 months after my original trip, I've helped found the Hong Kong Escape Reenactment Organisation (HERO) and we've managed to mobilise 70 descendent families to come out to Hong Kong for Christmas 2009 and then on to China for the first leg of the escape - over mountains, through rivers and visiting the places our forefathers went.

Well folks, it's well underway. After a nightmare at Heathrow T5 which saw us sat on the plane on the tarmac for four hours without food (I watched two entire movies and we hadn't even taken off!) we finally arrived late last Saturday. We've had a great time since landing. I've been busy showing mum and dad many of the sites - the peak, the night markets, accidentally took mum to Wan Chai (the red light district!) and some related historical places too.

Highlights have included an afternoon of talks at a seminary overlooking the channel where the escape all started, the opening of an excellent exhibition piece - escape from hong kong at the museum of coastal defence - and xmas dinner on Jumbo floating restaurant with all the other families. I won a bugatti! Just awesome... Off to china tomorrow, so fingers crossed...

Thursday 17 December 2009

It's happening!

Well guys, since my trip which started this blog, we've had a busy (understatement) 18 months to say the least! I'm pleased to announce though that we're about to fly off to Hong Kong to conduct the inaugural escape re-enactment of our forefathers. About 70 of us from all over the globe will be converging on Hong Kong for a departure to China on Boxing Day. Just like grandad, we'll be leaving the island and re-tracing their steps over the following four days. Over mountains, through rivers (and crossing Japanese enemy lines!?) we'll arrive in Huizhou for our own re-enactment photograph. I fully intend to keep this site updated whilst I'm over there again, so watch this space as they say!