We have a home!

Good news - we got the flat we wanted :)

The more we go out and about the more we realise we've made the right decision with location and we have plenty of room for visitors! We've been here almost 7 weeks now living in hotels / out of suitcases and the novelty really has worn off, we just want to unpack and get properly settled!

I can share the pictures I took when we looked round now (didn't want to before in case I jinxed it somehow!), as you can see I wasn't joking when I said they come unfurnished!

Master bedroom - the landlord offered to remove the cupboards at the end but even though they're a bit ugly and dark they're massive and we're too tight to pay for nicer replacements!

One bathroom with bath (yay!) 

Spare bedroom 

Other bathroom with shower 

Main living area / kitchen (plus husband chatting to estate agent).

As you'll probably note there isn't much of a kitchen!! A hob and microwave are pretty much standard over here (+ rice cooker), ovens are rare. This didn't bother us too much - there's little point in living here and staying at home cooking (not that I can cook!!) when eating out is the culture and so cheap.

Stephen went back one afternoon to measure up - he was starting to jot down dimensions when the lady showing him round mentioned she was the interior designer and would email him the plans. Being the super nerd I am I decided to cut scale models of furniture out of the Ikea catalogue to see what would fit.

Stephen mocked this approach initially, but soon realised how useful it was!

Last night we went to Ikea to finally place an order. There are 3 Ikea shops in Hong Kong and I'm ashamed to say that we've been to all three. One is in Causeway Bay (tourist central) and is fairly horrendous, another was kind of on the way back from the golf hence why we popped in and the third is a little bit off the beaten track but because of this it is almost pleasant!

Initially I priced up all the cheap options (yes, I have a spreadsheet!) until we actually went into the shop and realised quite how bad the cheap mattresses and sofas are. It's difficult to decide what to buy when you know you're going to have to ditch / sell it in two years so it's not even like you can see it as an investment. In the end we just bought the semi decent stuff as that might even last the duration!?

Anyway, it's done now and the goods are being delivered next Friday (7th). Stephen has this day off so hopefully everything will be built by the time I get back from work / the pub.... This is a joke, I like building Ikea furniture, for a short while at least, before my concentration wanes. We get the keys this weekend but have this current place till the 8th so only the bed needs to get built really before we move.

We've got lots of room and two big sofa beds (they're comfy, honest!!) so will be open for visitors very soon - get investigating flights people!! Everyone and anyone is welcome (within reason...) we'd love to see you and show you round this awesome place!

Obviously I'll share plenty more pictures once we're moved in, can't wait!