Thank you Serena for your write up!
Serena’s write up of Hong Kong 6-18th Nov 2015
Returning back to Hong Kong with other Hong Kong adoptee brothers and sisters for a HK reunion was a chance not to miss even though it took a bit of persuading from others. I was so glad that I listened and returned in November 2015 for 2 weeks.
Many thanks to Polly for letting me stay at her house on Lantau Island, a very tranquil suburb away from the business of city life.
Back on mainland HK, my excitement of seeing everyone on the first day at the YMCA hotel was fantastic. I saw familiar faces and got to know new brothers and sisters. We spent time chatting, catching up. exchanging new news, and our feelings of just being in HK, where we spent our first fragile years. It was amazing to see Winnie again, to whom I am most thankful, as she let me stay at her wonderful studio where I was surrounded by her art. She has helped and guided me and others so much, and she made our return journey so memorable.
Sunday 8th Nov – Our first Adoptee reunion meeting was where Fanling babies home was located, where some of the adoptees grew up After dim sum we went to the local Fanling Assembly of God Church where most of the orphanage children attended each Sunday. We had a pleasant surprise seeing 7 older sisters who are now in the 60-70’s. They remained at the Fanling babies home, grew up, went to work and had families in HK. They came to the church to share their thoughts on what it was like to stay in HK and not be adopted. These ladies still remain firm friends and support each other just like sisters.
Monday 9th Nov – The welcome meeting at HK University was a private time for us adoptees to share our background stories and how we started life from children’s homes to adoptive homes. It was great to hear and get to know where each brother and sister came from.
My next trip was shared with 6 other ladies who started life at Chuk Yuen children’s reception centre, which is now a family service centre. Allen who works there at present, showed us around inside the building, which has changed completely since it was a children’s home. However, he was able to show us the location of the original baby rooms, where we ate and the play area on original drawing plans of the Chuk Yuen children’s reception centre. This was a very special and exciting day for me.
With Polly I also visited the place where I was abandoned, at 3 Hing Hon Road, opposite the University Museum and Art. It was a very moving moment even though I don’t remember anything about my time as a baby in HK. I managed to speak to someone inside the building who spoke English and he said the local Chinese newspaper has been very helpful in writing many stories for lost children trying to find their birth mothers in this area.
Sightseeing highlights
An evening at Happy Valley to watch the horse races.
Visiting 10,000 Buddha’s monastery. It was mind blowing seeing so many buddhas, which were in lovely surroundings with trees plants and the sound of birds everywhere.
A Macau trip with such interesting architecture and old Portuguese style buildings everywhere. We ate our way towards the Ruins of St Pauls. I sneaked into the Grand Lisboa Hotel. One of the tall buildings in Macau Wow what a view!!!
Polly showing 15 of us around Cheung Chau and Lantau Island. I swam in the sea and we chilled out wandering around, and the day ended with tea and cake at Polly’s house.
I had the unique opportunity to view all the way around Hong Kong Island from a support boat. Polly’s Husband, Tim does boat racing big time. It looked like a very tough relay race for the rowers who take in turns in doing a stint in the racing boat. The support boat travelled around following the racing boats and was there to carry the racers and equipment.
Walking from Ngong Ping to Tai O on Lantau Island seeing the old houses on stilts and fishing boats everywhere was a magical time in the countryside. It was like going back in time. Almost all the tiny houses where made of wood and metal.
