Reflections on my world trip and last blog post

You Having been home more than a week now I still can't really believe I have been right around the world and for the most part on my own. Since I have been back people have been asking me "what was your favourite part" or "what did you enjoy most". It's absolutely impossible to choose as it was all so diverse and enjoyable.

I suppose spending 2 quality months with Simon and Nicholas, plus meeting Carol and her family, as well as catching up with with Philippa and Wayne in NZ would be right up there at the top of my list. But equally time with Val & Bob, Pat and Gord, plus their families and friends in Canada was precious. Also it was great to have my special friend Carol's company for two whole weeks whilst there.

Those fantastic days in New York spent with Claire, George, Anwen and Naomi have cemented my relationship with these gorgeous girls, something I can now maintain for the rest of my life.

Add into all this huge mix of wonderful people in my life time with Chloe and Andrew in San Francisco and Jonathan, Franchesca and baby Evan in Hong Kong and you will understand this has been a unique memory-building experience.

To me, after the Lord Jesus, people are the best and most important part of my life and I am thankful for every single one I have met on this epic trip.

But my top sightseeing must sees, only in the order I saw them, if you get the opportunity are:

- Canada in the autumn, the colours are sensational

- Niagara, make sure you do the whole experience a) behind the falls b) boat trip up to the falls, c) gorge walk to really sense the speed and power of the water d) cable car across the gorge

- Toronto, the view from the CN Tower is spectacular and the waterfront beautiful

- New York, do the open top bus tour and then decide which of the multitude of exciting and iconic things are your top choice, there is a just sooooooo much to see and enjoy there

- San Francisco, boat trip, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, plus of course a cable car ride 

- Sydney, Opera House, views from up the Bridge, boat trip and botanical gardens

- NZ, this was my eighth trip and I have seen and loved so much about this country over the years you will have to ask me personally. But this trip I really appreciated Hamilton, Raglan, Wellington as well as all of Hawkes Bay

- Hong Kong, the Peak, Kowloon with all its markets, Chinese influences and culture plus the waterfront 

This whole world trip experience has taught me a lot about myself and my abilities to be way outside my comfort zone. I hope I can apply some of the lessons learnt to the rest of my life.

There are so many people to thank I am only now starting on the cards, but to all of you who have been supportive I am indebted. Amazingly there have been well over 3,500 viewings of this blog, from as far flung places as Russia and Barbados!  

For some of you I am aware you may not know much about a relationship with God through Jesus and you may be curious. I would not say I am religious at all but I do know I am totally secure because I am loved and forgiven. Also I realise this life with all its joys and challenges is only preparation for heaven, which is my true home. If you would like to be in touch with me on a one to one basis my email is helencocks@btinternet.com I would love to hear from you.

Coming back to reality has been a real wake up as I encountered some difficult circumstances almost as soon as I arrived back. So for me knowing God has a plan for my life which includes His blessing is a rock under me, when all around feels like shifting sand.

I am in the process of writing my autobiography it's called 'Ordinary woman, Extraordinary Father'. I had finished 3 chapters before I left but then ran out do of steam, I am hoping the discipline of writing this blog each day will fire my enthusiasm to complete it. 

So in finishing, below is a picture of my dining table in my beautiful apartment where I will type my story, then it's a fabulous sunrise I took this week as I opened my blind and finally a couple of pictures of the beautiful ancient church All Saints were I currently worship. Am not sure how long I may be here but I am making the most of this place and season in my life.

At the start of my book will be this song, it's the reason I decided to share my story. You see I wasn't brought up in a Christian home I came to understand who Jesus really is as an adult aged 30 when I finally recognised there was still something missing from my life - despite having all the best of what this world offers. But when I look back on my life I can see God has always been with me, whether or not I acknowledged it.

Lord You've been good to me all my life, all my life

Your lovingkindness never fails

I will remember, all You have done

Bring from my heart thanksgiving songs

New every morning is Your love

Filled with compassion from above

Grace and forgiveness full and free

Lord You've been good, so good to me.

So may each breath I take be for You Lord, only You

Giving You back the life I owe

Love so amazing, mercy so free

Lord You've been good, so good to me (song by Graham Kendrick)

I pray each of you who read this will come to know His unfailing love that is stronger than death.

With much love, Helen xx

14th Jan day 91 homeward bound

For the last part of my journey from Hong Kong I was flying with Emirates. They are a really good airline, the food and service are excellent, they even have stainless steel cutlery which makes eating on a tray so much easier. But the down side of Emirates is that you always have to touch down and change planes in Dubai. This adds another 5-6 hours onto a trip back to the UK which is less than ideal. 

Arriving in Dubai in the middle of the night and trekking across this enormous airport was exhausting. I had been given a voucher for a free meal or refreshments in the airport but there were none of the outlets in the immediate vicinity of my gate and I was way beyond wandering around at that time of night. This is my last shot of a departure gate on this epic trip.

Once again when settled on the plane sleep eluded me, apart from a few minutes catnapping. I watched the film Everest which is excellent, but was very glad I had recently read the Bear Grylls book about the mountain or I would have found it a difficult watch. For the rest of the journey I read my new book and channel hopped when the lights were down and it was too dark to read. 

Unfortunately a passenger had to be taken off this flight just before we took off as they were poorly. This meant their baggage had to be found and off-loaded, never a quick process. This caused an hour and three quarter delay in us reaching Heathrow. Cheryl was there with her gorgeous smile and a picture Seb had done for me. He had given her explicit instructions that she had to hold it up. Am sorry I must have caught her blinking but obviously this special moment of being reunited with my girl was not one for checking the photo quality!

After an easy journey home with no holdups we got back about 11.45am. We had a cuppa and crumpet at Cheryls and she took me home. I wanted to see Jack as I had missed him a lot, that's why we went to hers first. I had intended to do my usual after a long haul flight, of going to bed for a couple of hours, then making myself get up and stay up until it was normal bedtime. This formula has worked well for me over the years and I have never suffered from jet lag as a result.

However I needed to insure and tax my car before I could drive it so I got on with sorting those things - never a quick job. When I had finished I realised I didn't have time for a kip, as I wanted to pick up Seb at 3.20pm from school and I needed a shower and to put on my scaffolding before I went out. So instead of sleeping I went through 3 months mail and then got ready for the school trip. As I walked to school I appreciated afresh what a beautiful place this is to live.

I took Jack with me which was a mistake because I was so busy keeping him in check by the school gates that I missed taking a video of Seb seeing me for the first time. He suddenly appeared at my side with the biggest smile and gave me a huge hug.

As it was Mark's birthday I stayed at their place for his present opening and party with friends. Here are the 2 boys with Sienna, their friend's little girl, they are both gorgeous with her.

 

I left there at about 10pm and by then had been up for more than 48 hours, getting into my own bed after 3 months was absolutely bliss.

My intention is to write another couple of posts to finish off this blog properly for myself but in case you are completely bored with it, and don't want to read any more, I thought I would include these stunning pictures of the views from my apartment on Sun morning so that you can see why I love this place. This is the view from my bedrooms.

And these are the views from my kitchen and lounge windows with the mill stream below. The house on the left is Cheryl's.

And here is the church I now attend. Thank You Father for bringing me safely home after a trip right around the world, it's been phenomenal. 

13th Jan day 90 all things Chinese and start of trek home

I forgot to say in yesterday's post that Hong Kong is buzzing with life certainly up to midnight. All the shops are open and there are hoards of people everywhere. If you are a night owl this city is ideal for you.

The lady serving breakfast in the hotel really warmed to me, probably because on my first day there I tried to find out what was thank you in the local language and said it to her. It sounds like Doozjay. Neither of us could understand a word but there was such a lovely warmth between us as we said goodbye in our own languages.

Having packed up and left my luggage in the lobby I walked up through the street market to the flower market and onto the bird garden, which was what I really wanted to see. It was a beautiffuly warm morning so walking was a treat, Kowloon was bustling with life, here are a few pictures to give you a flavour.

It was locals going about their daily lives buying things, some of which I didn't even recognise! I walked for 3 hours passing thousands of people and in all that time I only saw 1 European face. It's strange when you look at things like this newsstand and there is virtually nothing you can read.

I passed through the flower market by chance as it was on the way to the bird garden but oh what a delight and blessing it was. The colour, varieties and perfumes were spectacular for someone like me who loves flowers and plants. Look at this for just 1 place selling orchids.

In the west we have become a very throw away society, preferring to buy new rather than get anything mended, but that's not the case here. In the shops all around where I was staying they were selling parts to fix every conceivable thing, I found it evocative because it reminded me of when I was growing up and you could go to the local ironmongers for a huge variety of 'bits'. Here are a group watching a demonstration in the market.

The bird garden was actually a bird market sadly, but the songs of so many birds together was just fabulous. There were so many pretty birds that I didn't recognise and despite being caged they were clean and well fed - but birds were definitely created to fly. 

Would you believe on my last day of a 3 month trip I worked out how to take a picture of myself that isn't a selfie and here it is with the gate to the bird garden behind.

I walked back to the hotel, stopping for my last cuppa and cake. The taxi arrived to take me to the airport and I arrived in plenty of time. 

The bridges over to Lantau Island where the airport is situated are incredible, similar to the Severn Bridge but about 6 times bigger, what an engineering triumph. 

I managed to buy myself a book in the airport thankfully having failed miserably to find a book shop anywhere in Hong Kong Island or Kowloon. The time passed quickly and without incident. I had managed to persuade the airline stewardess on the desk to change my tickets to aisle seats for these next 2 long legs of the journey home. It was both a relief and blessing to be able to stretch my back and legs for me without disturbing others.

I watched the Bill Bryson film a walk in the woods which starred Robert Redford and Nick Nolte. It was ok for passing time but it certainly wouldn't be on my rewatch list. I would recommend Suite Francaise about a French village under German occupation. I dozed for only about 15 mins on this flight despite being hanging tired, we arrived at Dubai at 3am local time, I had been awake then for 26 hours. I was starting to feel to get that shivery and sick feeling you have when sleep deprived.

12th Jan day 89 out and about in Hong Kong

How's this for a lift, it's like something from a Casino not my little hotel, but yet another example of Hong Kong contrasts.

I made a mistake this morning but by a series of pointing and hand gestures the receptionist and I sorted out how I could get to the cable cars. I had been told there are spectacular views from high up in Hong Kong so thought this was the best way to enjoy them. Being here as a foreigner has made me much better appreciate how difficult it is for those who find themselves in another country without the language. It's small things like not being able to understand adverts on the tube, some street signage (although I have to commend the authorities because most streets have signs and most have it in English as well), putting on the tv etc. It has given me a sense of isolation I haven't experienced before in all my years of travelling.

The trip involved me taking the MTR which is a superbly clean, efficient underground network where you never wait more than a few mins for another train to come along. The transport system here is soooooo cheap as well, which makes it possible for the majority of the population to manage without a car. It's as well as the streets are very congested. 

Challenge 1 of the day was to buy a ticket from an automated machine with only a couple of words of English on the instructions - you all know what a duffer I am technically. Eventually I worked out I needed the red line to Tsuen Wan, changing at Lai King to the mustard line for Tng Chung - easy at 

that!

Challenge 2 was which to direction to take once underground as it wasn't immediately obviously, I was helped by asking another passenger using invaluable art of pointing. The people here are very helpful, on a number of occasions so far I have stood looking at my 'trusted' map, each time someone with broken English has asked if I needed help. How kind of them and how I need to watch out for people who may be lost when I am in a city.

Challenge 3 I realised by reading my map that I didn't want the cable car on Lantau Island where I was currently heading, that's a full days trip, plus it was very cloudy and overcast so completely pointless. I realised I had to get Hong Kong Island and somehow get up The Peak. I got to the end of the tube line, got out and applied more of the same logistical challenges in reverse, with the addition of using a bus as well.

Challenge 4 working out on the station map, which involves an extremely complex drawing showing exits on all 4 levels using arrows and numbers, how to get to the bus station. I had a couple of attempts and with no sign of buses I went back to the map and studied some more. Now you may remember that I can't even understand Lego pictures, so this was a nightmare. But I had prayed for help today and gradually the pieces came together for which I am extremely thankful. You may be thinking all that sounds a bit pathetic but travelling alone means you don't have anyone to consult with or laugh with at the mistakes you make.

The bus trip up to The Peak took 40 mins and cost an unbelievable $10 or £1! The views as we rose steeply were sensational but I am afraid the camera doesn't really do them justice. This bus ride isn't for anyone of a nervous disposition as only a low crash barrier prevents you toppling down almost sheer drops in places. The bus driver certainly didn't drive as if that was the case as he swung the vehicle around some exceptionally hairy bends.

My perception of Hong Kong Island is that it has almost all been built in the last 50 years or so, using vast amounts of concrete to secure these huge high rise buildings to what must be solid rock beneath. It's a very Westernised modern part of the city with all the big international retail names in top notch outlets in the centre.The population seemed young as well, but maybe it's just that my generation don't work there, after all why would you Emily wrinkles when you can have beautiful youngsters. 

 

This building looks so precarious but it can't be if it's to withstand the winds that must buffet it.

It was fantastic at the top especially the God made parts, but the retail outlets and building constructions that were man-made, were amazing as well.

Below is my favourite view from the top, I can see it in my mind's eye though not clearly in this photo.

I confidently got the no 15 bus back down from The Peak after my usual cuppa and cake treat (am going to miss these), expecting it would drop me back at the bus station, from whence I had come - but no I was dropped on the waterfront with not a clue where I was! I dug out my friend 'Map' as he's now called and a lovely bus driver drew which way I needed to go. These are views of the city en route to bus station and adjacent MTR station, which was what I needed. 

I really like this one of the Apple Store with the main road underneath, to me it epitomises the need for every inch of space to be utilised here.

I was back in Kowloon in a time to see the movie Daddy's Home, a right load of rubbish, but I like the approach to the cinema shown below, that was the best bit.

I just had McDonalds to eat which was fine and allowed me to publish my blog. My dilemma is do I go somewhere really nice and pay a fortune to eat alone, or do I go to one of the many cheap places and risk them not being very clean - hence McDonalds. I then got the MTR down to the waterfront, am a pro at ticket buying now!

At 8pm every night, weather permitting, there is a light festival. Here is a taster, not the best pics though, it was fantastic as the lights were co-ordinated with the music. I have a video clip which is much better but without Simon's expertise I have no clue how to get it on the blog. I like this one of the Space Museum which is just off the waterfront. 

I walked back to the hotel in order to tire myself out, I wanted a really sleep before the 22 hours journey home starting at 6pm Wed evening. 

11th Jan day 88 - Attitude - a little thing that makes a big difference!

In 2001 when my life was in tatters I got a temp job through an agency in a very swish computer company in Peterborough. On the wall was an enormous, magnificent poster of a drop of water exploding onto the surface of the water with the above caption about attitude underneath. It was hugely influential in my life as I realised slowly what happened to me next, depended on how I dealt with situations - positively or negatively - I made the choice to be positive. The Lord clearly showed me self pity was a sin and also that it was extremely destructive. If you read last night's blog you had no doubt realised I was indulging in self pity, albeit that you may have felt sorry for me in that weary state.

This is the view from my bed.

And this is the view on the other side from my window.

As I gazed out for the first time God reminded me of the Syrian refugees and those poorest of the poor who are suffering the worst effects of the El Ninio winds in Africa, they would consider where I am now as complete luxury! In that moment the self pity was gone and I asked Him to forgive me. I had slept well and everything had a different perspective. It made me smile that the poor estate of Gibbobdown, where I lived for many years, wasn't as grim as these views.

I came down to this breakfast of a hard boiled egg, 1 slice of thin ham, 1 cold frankfurter sausage and white bread. There was watery squash and packet, pre-sweetened coffee and I couldn't have been more thankful. The busy street was below me and I watched people going about their lives, loading and unloading into shops, pushing huge trolleys on which were all sorts of items, laughing, chatting, cyclists riding up the road in this one-way down only street. It's all so Chinese and I want to embrace this whole, brief experience, not as a critical Westerner, but as a grateful child of God, so that I may better understand this culture.

After breakfast I set off to the nearby shopping mall at Langham Place as I was looking for something nice to take back for Cheryl, Mark and Marcus. I had bought something for Seb in NZ. I had only given the 4 of them books for Christmas and the boys a bit of money as well. This is definitely a city where east meets west and rich meets poor. Here is the 12 storey high shopping and cinema complex Langham Place, with the picture of the buildings on the adjacent block below, what a contrast.

This is the view from the 8th floor of the shopping mall, looking down the escalator.

After successful shopping I walked down Shanghai and Nathan roads to the waterfront, it's quite a long way but it looked similar to what I had walked from my hotel to Sydney Opera House, so decided to give it a go. It took ages as I kept stopping on the way to investigate and take photos of things of interest.

Virtually everyone in Hong Kong lives in an apartment, since arriving I haven't see a single house. On every side there are high rise buildings in order to accommodate the population of this bustling city. As a result there is virtually no grass to be seen, the only greenery is from trees, shrubs and the odd pot of flowers. However the city provides lots of places like this one where you can just sit and relax set back slightly from the traffic and general mayhem. It seems to me like an oasis of calm in a pulsating metropolis.

The walk took me past such a diverse variety of shops everything from this stall that was selling skinned snakes and rats (the smell was horrendous) to the shot below where the genuine Rolex outlet sits next to one selling cigarettes etc. The whole experience pervades your senses.

I took a few minutes time out of the hustle and bustle to go into Kowloon Park, these steps are the entrance.

But even in there it was concrete softened by lovely trees and shrubs plus this fountain surrounded by this impression of a Chinese junk.

I was feeling increasingly like I could with a coffee and of course - cake, but this isn't a cafe culture city at all. Even on this magnificent waterfront that had lots of seats for viewing there was nowhere to get a drink.

This building, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, reminded me of a modern day pyramid, it houses the museum, space museum and theatre etc. 

By now I had been walking for nearly 3 hours so decided to head back up Nathan Rd to see if I could find somewhere for refreshments. In the event it had to be a McCafe would you believe, but this cuppa and Danish were welcome indeed.

The map has proved invaluable it has enabled me to walk without being anxious about getting lost. I made my way slowly back to the hotel trying desperately to find shops that sold clothes for little ones and books. Eventually I managed to buy a cute blue and navy jumper for Evan, the 14 month old I was meeting with his parents this evening. I never did find a bookstore despite being sent on a wild goose chase. 

Jonathan, Franchesca and little Evan kindly met me outside my hotel. He and I worked together a few years ago in Care for the Family and have stayed in touch. He left CfF to go to Argentina as a missionary and there he met Franchesca. They had been serving together there through YWAM (Youth with a Mission) for a number of years and then felt the Lord calling them to work with the same organisation here in Hong Kong. My visit here was a perfect opportunity for a long overdue catch up and we had an amazing evening bridging the gaps with each other on our very different lives.

They are very good together and I am so thankful to God as I prayed for a number of years for a lovely wife for Jonathan. Evan is such a happy little chappie, it was gorgeous to be able to chat and hold a toddler again. We had a really yummy meal at a Chinese Italian - ridiculous I know but excellent food, and then after our dessert of ice cream and waffles we went for a walk. It started to rain hard so we decided against getting the MTR (tube) down to the waterfront and opted to go for a coffee on the 12th floor of nearby Langham Place. The ceiling there is of blue sky and clouds which gives it a gentle, relaxed feel.

We managed to sit at a table away from the other customers so we were able to talk unhindered and pray together for one another. It was a very special evening at the end of a fascinating day. Thank You Lord for Your goodness and patience with me.