Ashfall

Less than two full weeks into a new decade, the active volcano in the middle of a lake (itself caused by past volcanic eruptions) not far from the main city started spewing ash. It was a weekend, and many locals and tourists were in the city of Tagaytay when they saw smoke rising from Taal's crater. 

By early morning the next day, ashfall spread as far north as the central business district, and schools were called off for a few days. 

When students returned they were required to wear masks to protect from ash inhalation. Earthquake and fire drills were modified to include ashfall scenarios. N95 masks were added to Go bags and first aid kits. 

While it was safe by the end of the second week to walk around the metro and swimming pools cleaned up and reopened, most of us still kept stock of the masks, adding to the N95 variant the standard surgical masks sold at pharmacies because there was a new danger of a spreading coronavirus. 

 

Happy New Decade

Before my sisters and I were all married with children (actually the last time was 2008, when Little A was 5 months old), my family used to spend New Year's Eve in Hong Kong quite often. It's the nearest overseas destination from Manila, and my mum and older sister hate beaches (and places that aren't bustling city centres in general) so this was the logical choice for a quick getaway. My dad travelled here for work maybe once a month at the busiest time of his career, as did Big A and one of my brothers-in-law, and my stopovers to and from the UK were always Hong Kong, so it's a city we all love as a family.

12 years after our last family trip here (now numbering 16 rather than 5), we decided to come back, possibly for a last hurrah. After our visit with Little A last June, protests have taken place in Hong Kong every weekend, and the situation with China seems very much on a knife's edge. We decided to risk it, after much consideration, consultation with friends who live there, and generous discounts from the hotels whose revenues have dropped sharply in the last half-year.

What a good decision it was. Not only was the city quiet and peaceful, we were able to take Little A back to his new favourite places with minimal crowds. New Year's Day was spent at Disneyland, Big A's first time ever (ours was last June), and we also did Noah's Ark and Ocean Park again. And the Star ferry rides from Hong Kong to Kowloon side and back. 

We hope things settle down in this city, though we know its time as a "free" port is limited, so that until it fully becomes once more a Chinese city, Little A can enjoy it as much as we all did, growing up. 

Happy New Decade, everyone!