Air bnb

Out of the group of my Sydney friends there are literally three remaining single men in the group. One of them lives in Singapore, the other guy is the one writing this blog. Both these guys have younger sisters that have recently had their first kid. Both these guys are back in Sydney meeting their respective nieces and nephews for the first time. I haven't seen the Singapore guy in over two years. So we decide to hire out an Air BNB in Surry Hills for the week. The rationale, it's a central location, people can pop by and say hello without being in busy, crowded areas.

Before each and every meeting, we do a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). 

Omicron

"Hong Kong has announced a two-week ban on incoming flights from eight countries and tightened coronavirus restrictions after detecting cases of the Omicron variant.

Carrie Lam, the chief executive of Hong Kong, told reporters on Wednesday that incoming flights from Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States, including interchanges, would be banned from January 8 to January 21." - As reported by Al Jazeera

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/5/hong-kong-bans-flights-from-8-countries-tightens-covid-curbs

New Years

Chilled New Years in Sydney, Bondi beach, followed by extended cousin's gathering out in Olympic Park

Booster

It's been more than 8 months since my last Covid19 vaccination, based on the studies and anecdotal feedback my antibodies are probably very low right now. Since booster shots are available in Sydney, I decided it probably is a good time to get the booster.

Given the meteoric rise in cases, it looks like I'm not the only one looking to get the jab. Hundreds of people flocking to the Olympic Park site to get protected. I waited around 90 minutes for the jab. 

Update, this third jab, like the second jab really knocked me out. The side-effects kicked in around the 24 hour mar: feverish, tiredness and muscle aches. Felt worse than the second jab; Could be the fact that I went with Moderna. What a way to spend a day off.

Two more weeks and I'll be at maximum protection, at least in theory.

Omicron: Change of plans

A new variant has been detected in South Africa, the Omicron strand. As such, all travellers to Hong Kong from countries with local Omicron transmission will be 3 weeks quarantine. Unfortunately, I had only booked my hotel quarantine for two weeks. I'm now on a waitlist to extend the hotel for one week. Unfortunately, this change of quarantine requirement has taken a lot of Christmas holidayers by surprise.

Category A - three weeks Rebooked for Feb 3rd - I get another month here in Sydney!

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202111/29/P2021112900754.htm

Sydney

Back in Sydney after almost two years. It's nice to be back!

Baby Charlie

New parents. New grandparents. New uncle!