I'm Back !! and we're off to India again.......

Welcome again !  I am back in business for a third blog on our expat adventures.  We fell in to a very normal daily routine of life here in Hong Kong, and I really didn't fine the time, or the need for blogging. It wasn't that Hong Kong wasn't blog-worthy, it was honestly a lack of time.  Not sure why I think I will have more time on my hands now, but I hope I can find the time to share some of our crazy adventures.

As background, we moved from Sydney to Bangalore in June 2013, and then to Hong Kong in April 2015.  Three years on and we are now making the move to Hyderabad, India.  This was definitely not an expected pit stop on our return to Australia, but with the current work climate, a job is a job !  Don't take that as a sign that this was' an easy' decision, it most definitely was not.  However, after many long and teary days and nights, we are now onboard for the next chapter for our Indian adventure.

We won't all be in India as a family, until the middle of the year and for now we will enjoy our remaining time in HK. We also have a couple of extra trips planned in Asia, that I will add to this blog, so you can get some holiday ideas.  When we have moved, I have a plan for Jack (our 12 year old) to write weekly on the blog for his insights - so that should be fun.  As always, let me know what you would like to hear more of and feedback is always welcome.

So, for now, what do we know about our new home, Hyderabad?  

• It's hot, hot, hot !!  
• Oh, and that the IPL cricket team 'Sunrisers Hyderabad' is from there - thanks Max (big David Warner fan). 

That pretty much sums up our family knowledge.  We really don't know very much, as we didn't visit there whilst living in Bangalore.  So, I have found a few facts for you to ponder, and will then update you next week on our first impressions, after our look-see visit to see schools, housing etc.

Nickname: known as the 'City of Pearls' as it was a trading hub for Pearls and Diamonds

Population:  it differs wherever you look but approximately 9 million people and is the 4th most populated city behind Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore (and growing fast)

Location: see map below.  In the state of Telangana

Food:  Biryani - what more can you say

Education:  there are over 350 Engineering colleges in Hyderabad

Medical:  In June each year there is a group of men called the 'Bathini Goud Brothers' who claim to be able to cure Asthma by giving sufferers a special fish medicine.  hmmm...

Lifestyle:  Hyderabad was ranked as the Indian city with the best quality of living in 2015, 2016 and 2017...... we will see !!

Film:  The Telugu film industry, known as Tollywood, puts out over 300 films a year !  As clarification: Bollywood references movies from Mumbai (formally Bombay) and Tollywood is the film industry from southern India.

Hindu God: There is a Hindu temple for the a God that is not seen very often.  'Chitragupta' who is the offsider to the god of death 'Yama'.  He is in charge of the keeping track of everyones good and bad deeds - who is going to heaven and hell.  Reminds me of TV show 'The Good Place' - hate to see what he has on me !!

Laws:  There is a law in Hyderabad (and also Bangalore) that prohibits the sale of alcohol within 500m from a state or national highway.  This is to curb the number of roadside 'stalls' that sell alcohol to men after work.  This is only a recent law and I can attest to how many of these 'stalls' were dotted along the main roads in Bangalore.  It is an ongoing debate, in particular for hotels, but lets hope it helps.

This is just a start - there will be more to come in the following months.