By Delphine

Little Azania has led an interesting life. She has spent more time on the boat at sea than on land in our Hong Kong house. She attended pre-school for about one month before all face to face classes were suspended due to COVID. Four months later, when she was just two and a half we left HK for Turkey to start our sailing journey. So Azania doesn’t remember much about Hong Kong and she has never attended real school. 

Now she’s five, an age when she’s like a little sponge absorbing all the information and experiences around her. During her two-month stay in HK, she has done so much, seen so many people and visited so many places. She finally got to know her home city.  

While in Hong Kong, Azania reconnected with her old little friends Mila, Leo, Fredja and Stas. In the beginning she didn’t remember them but it didn’t take long for the kids to have fun together. In particular, she and Mila were best buddies all over again and organized their own playdates and sleepovers. Azania also spent quality time with her younger cousin Fung Zhai.  

Through a friend’s recommendation, I enrolled Azania in ‘Auntie Tam Education Center’ (ATEC) run by a wonderful Zimbabwean lady Tam. Most kids attend ATEC as after-school activities but for Azania, it’s her daily school of phonics with other kids in an informal school setting for six weeks. At first Azania was a bit shy and didn't want to go to school, but after few days she was thoroughly enjoying herself. She met some new friends and she loves her teachers Auntie Tam, Miss Katie and Mr. Simon. The phonics program was rigorous in a fun and engaging way and her reading improved dramatically in the short time. Tam was incredibly helpful and kind. She prepared a huge stack of phonics teaching materials for me to use when I get back to the boat. Thank you Tam! 

In addition to phonics, Azania also attended mandarin and art classes which she enjoyed tremendously.  

Aside from school, Azania spent a lot of time with her grandparents and her aunties Elkie and Queenie (my sisters). It means a lot for my parents to be able to spend extended period of time with their little granddaughter, and my sisters doted on their niece with many fun trips and special treats. They took Azania everywhere like the Aberdeen Marina Club, Ocean Park, Ryze trampoline park, the Peak, MOMA, M+ museum, the waterfront promenade in Tsimshatsui, etc. We also had many yummy dim sum meals with relatives. Azania delighted the elderly relatives with her detailed portraits of them showing every wrinkle and mole and made everyone laugh so hard.  

Before we left Hong Kong, Azania requested to go on Londolozi (our boat in Hong Kong). It was a lovely farewell party with her little friends and my parents. We took the boat to Repulse Bay and then Victoria Harbour for sunset. What a spectacular skyline. Never stopped to amaze me every time we come to the Harbour. Azania has been drawing the HK night skyline with the comb building (IFC), bamboo building (BOC) and Ferris wheel.  

Beyond all the adventures and explorations, Azania and I bonded greatly after my surgery. She really looked after and cared for me so well. She was sleeping with me and always asked how she could help. For the first few weeks, I was weak with limited mobility and she helped me pick things up on the floor, brought me things and helped me move pillows around the bed. I also relied on her as my messenger going up and down stairs to pass messages to Wendy and my family. It was such a special bonding experience with her and I feel so blessed that she was there during my recovery.  

After two months in Hong Kong, Azania and I were desperately missing Arabella, Alex and Grant and our boat, and wanted to go home. I also felt strong and confident enough to get back to the boat.  

Azania had an amazing time in Hong Kong and will now always considers Hong Kong her second home sweet home.