Last Day in Hong Kong

Sooner than expected, but today's breakfast left us saying, "I'm lovin' it". Then we hit the Bird Garden, flower market and Victoria Peak, the highest point in the city with great (foggy)views of the harbor. I almost earned an "I puked at the peak" t-shirt but M shoved some pizza down me. Hope to be better in Bangkok where it's warm and they have those fancy massages. Will ring in the New Year at the Night Market.
Rosemary

Exploring Hong Kong Island

Last night we enjoyed a delicious Peking duck (perhaps as reward for a marathon nap that kept sightseeing brief), followed by a hazy look at the lights on Hong Kong Island, then laundry. Rode over to Hong Kong Island this AM and found it to have a much greater Western/Euro influence than Kowloon. Hopped on the huge escalator that many Hong Kong residents use for a 20-min commute up a hill to work. (Perhaps Mayor Nutter would consider installing one of these between Philly and Bucks County.) We then explored SoHo (Hollywood St antiques), Cat Street Market (lots of junk--at least it's transportable), Western Market (w/ a fancy lunch), and finally the Star Ferry back to Kowloon. These boats have been running since the 1800s--amazing. It is a little rainy but no longer cold. Rosemary is feeling a little punk so will let her rest up for Peak Tram and Temple St. Night Market tomorrow. New Year's plans TBD.
Melinda

We Made It!

We arrived in Hong Kong about 3pm yesterday. Our trip over can be summarized as a 10 hour delay in Tampa, 3 hours sleep in Toronto, then 16 hours on the big bird (4 movies, 3 meals, 2 naps, and 1 Ambien). Our accommodations here are well located but chilly, with hard beds and a 2am fire drill. None of that stopped us from sleeping 12 hours, but tonight we are debating whether to ask for a heater or a Hilton. Rain today but we have learned our way around the subways and met these geese that gave us a chuckle.
Rosemary

Getting out before the REAL winter weather...?

That was the plan, but Mother Nature laughed in my face and dropped 23 inches of snow on Philly just 5 days before we leave. On a positive note, the nasty weather forced me to stay inside and wrap up the loose ends that come with leaving adult life behind for 3 months. House/pet/car sitters are arranged, jobs are on hold, and all the documentation is in place. The backpack thing is still being figured out--so many straps and not much space.

The destination is SE Asia, starting in Hong Kong after Xmas in Tampa. Neither of us has been to Asia and we don't really know what to expect. The first 6 weeks are planned, but we will rely on recommendations from other travellers for the rest. Our folks will meet us for a week or two in Vietnam and our friend Dhaval will join us in Thailand for a little while. We also have 2 weeks of group travel lined up in the beginning so we don't get on each other's nerves (it'll happen, but delay strategies are in place). That's about all I can tell you. The idea is to have a real adventure, scary and exciting at once. Stay tuned.

Melinda