As you read this post, please also pretend you hear Taylor Swift’s “Welcome To New York” playing in the background, but change New York to Hong Kong. Nolan and I have been singing this since the day we arrived! In case you don’t know the song — check this out.
So, let’s get started … Welcome to Hong Kong! This will be my shortest welcome post yet because our house is literally the size of a shoe box. While yes, it is 3-bedrooms and 2-baths, it is by far the smallest space we’ve ever lived in and by the end of our 3-weeks, I know we will all be ready to move on! We will all need a little extra patience and grace over the next few weeks.
We are staying in Discovery Bay, which is just across from Hong Kong. I have a few other blogs planned to showcase Discovery Bay better, but for now, let’s stay focused on the apartment. We are in a 19-story building in a long row of apartment buildings. Upon entering the apartment, you basically see the entire space; to the right a very small kitchen space, to the left very small living space, and a short hallway to 3-bedrooms, and 2-bathrooms. That’s it.
The kitchen is the smallest kitchen yet. There is a full-size refrigerator that is about all you’ll find. There’s a 2-burner top, a microwave, and very few pots and pans. Cooking will be an adventure this month. I’ve already started researching one skillet meals, and I did purchase a small toaster oven to give me a few more options. I did find a coffee pot, though I quickly discovered it did not work, so I’m sticking with my traveling French Press.
The living space is tiny. Both Jim and I have set up a working space on the dining table, and the living space only has a small couch with seating for 3, so there’s a lot of shifting around of bodies. We can’t all be in the same room at the same time.
We do have 3-bedrooms, so it is nice that we each have a bedroom to make our own. Priya and Nolan each have a room with bunk beds and Jim, and I have a room with a full-size bed that barely fits in the room. The apartment is very cluttered. There is “stuff” everywhere — which makes the space seem even more cramped and uncomfortable.
In such a small space, I’ve decided it is essential to fully embrace the good things about this apartment, which there are a few biggies
1) we do have a full-size washer and dryer, which we haven’t often had on this trip. I am very much looking forward to laundry. I might actually do laundry, just because I can!
2) a working shower. We have plenty of hot water, a shower that drains, and excellent water pressure. Also, something we haven’t had in a long time, so I’ll take it.
3) we are still basking in the sunshine and warm weather!
Now, let me who’s you around the apartment a bit more.
Building & Entrance:
Entry:
Kitchen:
Dining & Living Space:
Nolan’s Bedroom:
Jim & Kathy’s Bedroom:
^Standing in the bedroom, you can see all the way back to the front door!
On-Suite Bathroom:
^Hot water, great water pressure … and it drains! Heaven!
^Still not hot water in the sinks!