It's 6:30 am in Hong Kong, Sunday July 1st. The ten of us that got delayed in Vancouver BC will never ever need an alibi for Saturday June 30th, since we boarded the plane at 9:30pm on Friday night and landed in Hong Kong at 2am on Sunday morning. We can all honestly say that we were not even on the planet that day. Looking out of the plane as we were flying into China airspace our altitude had us higher up than the moon. I can now say that I have seen the moon from above and it's a great feeling. The rains that started right after we landed have stopped and the sun is coming up. I forgot that feeling of shock at the difference in air pressure when you take that first step outside in this humid climate. We took a walkabout at about 4am to look at the harbor and the city lights at night. This is probably the quietest we will experience the city. Even in the dark you can still see a lot of refuse in the water. Quite sad really. I should try to nap now. Hope the OC teams made a great showing at rooster rock! G'night...technically good morning here but I should get some sleep- so good night. -SaTina

So a tropical storm has kept 10 of us in Vancouver BC. A mere 10 hour delay and then we will be off, hopefully. The weather sites all differ on what to call it - some say typhoon, some say cyclones, some just call it a tropical storm. I'm sticking with tropical storm, seems less intense that way. I just want to get to Hong Kong in time for my rufa therapy (fish pedicure) appointment on Sunday. Figures right? We leave a sunny day in Portland to head to big rains in Asia. Yay! We won't get homesick. Does anybody smell sarcasm? - SaTina

Another International traveling experience in on the horizon. Wasabi Paddling Club will be sending 3 teams to the 2012 World Club Crew Championships in Hong Kong.

The race and associated festival is being held the first week and weekend in July.

Representing the West Coast of the United States will be 3 teams from Wasabi, 2 teams from Los Angeles Racing Dragons (LARD) and 1 team from The San Diego Dragon Boat Club.

Watch the blogspot for updates and articles of travel adventures and race results.
Larry