Running into new friends

I've been really enjoying running lately.

It definitely helps to have a couple of friends who love running and who are willing to put up with my slow speed.  Running with them has also been great as they've been able to help me to identify issues with my technique which has dramatically changed both my running abilities and my overall enjoyment of the activity.  Who would have thought that being better at something would make it more fun?  A real shock isn't it?

We try to go up and run on the Bowen Road Fitness Trail, up in the Western Mid Levels area of Hong Kong.  It's a nice and flat running track which sits halfway up the mountain and which snakes from Central all the way over to Happy Valley.  When running at night, it gives some of the most incredible views of Hong Kong.  You feel as though you are running through a forrest and yet you still feel illuminated by the incredible bright lights of the evening skyline.

One night, after we finished our run, we were recovering in Bowen Road Park when we heard rustling in the bushes.

There was not one, but two porcupine moving around!

I had only seen a porcupine once before in Hong Kong and that was a fleeting glance as it ran away.  This was

We tried to follow them for a bit at a safe distance.  It was an amazing experience to be able to see these two incredible animals just wandering around a park in the middle of Hong Kong, going about their daily routine.  Seeing such unique animals was not something I ever expected when I first moved to Hong Kong.

Ed and I followed them for a little bit.... but then we turned and ran quick as Alan had run a bit ahead to look at them and accidentally scared them so they began to bolt directly at us.  As much as I liked looking at these animals, I still didn't want to get too close!

Impromptu street parties

The "place to be" is never a set location.

When I first got to Hong Kong, most people would go out either in Lan Kwai Fong or around the Soho area.

These days, the place to be in Hong Kong seems to be narrow section of Peel street between Hollywood Road and Staunton Street.

Every Friday and Saturday night, a street party forms in this area as people pop in and out of the bars and restaurants on either side.  It's an amazing place to catch up with friends and the atmosphere is truly incredible.  Knowing Hong Kong, this will probably only be a short lived thing before everyone moves off to another location.

In the meantime... I feel for the people living the apartments above!