Last weekend we moved, lost our internet connection and have only just got it back today. Unfortunately it is a small market for internet service providers so we are somewhat stuck with what we’ve got. While the rest of HK prides itself on fast and efficient service, this particular provider seems to think that because it’s huge and is the dominant player, customer service is secondary. Reminds me of a few providers in Australia too now that I think about it.

Anyway, moving in HK is quite different to any experience I’ve had moving elsewhere. I asked a removalist for a quote, accepted the quote and then did nothing else. Moving day saw a team of five arrive slightly ahead of time to pack all our possessions. Aside from furniture, which they pulled apart and then reassembled at the other end, they also packed crockery, clothing and all our pet paraphernalia. I was quite impressed with how our clothes were packed. They had a large box with a rail put across the top that they then hung our clothes from. It meant they arrived with no need for ironing.

My highlight was a trip in the removalist van itself. I was part of the second and final load which included our cat with the dog having spent the day at the Waves place with her best friend. The van resembled the bread vans that Mr Shallot and I have hired on a number of occasions when we’ve moved ourselves (with various friends assisting) only this van seats five people, has two pen holders full of pens, a little Buddha and some incense on the dashboard. The back section was all material and reminded me of the vans that are popular through the more rural areas of Indonesia for transporting chickens. Nevertheless, all our gear was strapped down inside and everything arrived in perfect condition.

While we’ve spent the past week unpacking after work, it is the mornings and today that I’ve enjoyed the most. On our first day here, we took the dog down to the beach where we found some buffalo sunning themselves. Since then, I’ve seen a herd of buffalo walk up our street (yes we are still living in HK), come face-to-face with a few while we’ve been in the car, nearly reversed into one and had a walk along the beach every other morning.

Instead of waking to hear the door of the complex slamming, children crying, golf carts whizzing around, buses coming down the hill and the ferry in the distance, I woke this morning to the sound of the waves.

All was good with the world until I saw the remainder of the boxes… They can wait!

* Thanks to Bob Marley for the title to this post.