Long One...

So it has been an interesting time here in Hong Kong!

Timmy D and I have noticed a few things about the city:

1. It is like the NYC of Asia but a whole lot cleaner than NYC. They are doing something right here or my view of cleanliness is skewed by living in NYC. Either way it is nice. The trains are super clean and so are the stations. It is unbelievable for a city the size of Hong Kong. And as most of you know, I am a really clean person so for me to say something is clean…you know it is! (-:

2. Speaking of public transportation – things are just efficient around here. Like for example when you cross the street the little posts make a certain noise, and anywhere you are supposed to go (a walking sidewalk, an escalator, etc.) that noise is made. It really is quite efficient. Also, people leaving and entering the train station always go on opposite ways. There really is never anyone messing up by going in the door everyone is coming out of. In addition, the train stations have little signs that tell you when the train will arrive, and they actually arrive when they say it will. Another plus - so far the trains have never been more than four minutes apart. Lastly, I love that the subway trains tell you which side to exit from ahead of time. Gosh, I love efficiency and organization!

3. There are quite a few people wearing masks. They are just walking around wearing masks. Really?! Do you need them here? Also, every time Tim and I see them we begin to talk about the controversy this past summer when the US Olympic Cycling team wore masks in Beijing and they were given a hard time. Again, I say, really?! Was there need for that? I mean if locals are wearing masks here in Hong Kong in the “winter” (I put quotes because it really isn’t that cold here) than there seriously was no need for the stupid controversy back in the middle of summer in a city with a lot more pollution and where almost everyone wears masks. Anyway, that is it for my soap box on that. (-:

4. People really are nice and polite. What a breath of fresh air. Well, maybe they are rude but I just don’t understand them – ha!

So enough with that stuff. Yesterday was a good day. I think Tim and I are getting over this jetlag pretty quickly. I think it helps when you go to Disneyland and wear yourself out the day of your flight. We slept A LOT on the plane. Thank you to my father for giving me the wonderful gene to sleep anywhere anytime. I think I got about eight or more hours of sleep on the plane.

Yesterday afternoon, we had a traditional Chinese lunch and then some reflexology. I have always wanted to try it. It wasn’t expensive, and it lasted 45 minutes. Oh my goodness was it awesome. Even Tim tried it, too, and he liked it as well.






Last night we hit up the night markets, which really weren’t that spectacular. They were pretty much just like the markets on Columbus Ave on Sundays. )-: Either way we still bought stuff.






Today was way more interesting than yesterday. Yesterday was more about exploring, and today Tim and I have the hang of things. So after an awesome night’s rest, Tim and I finally got up and took the train way out of the city to try to catch a cable car up a mountain to see the Big Buddha. So after the easy, clean and efficient ride we get off the train only to discover that the cable cars are closed for “regular maintenance.” Awww shux!! Luckily there was Bus #23 ready to take us up. After teaming up with an older British couple, we get exact change and boarded the bus. As I am getting on the bus the theme of “Gilligan’s Island” starts playing in my head, and I soon realize that this isn’t going to be a short bus ride. Luckily we didn’t get stranded anywhere, and we did make it back to the city.

Although, the bus almost didn’t get up the mountain. The mountains are steep and the road is narrow. As the bus would slow down and almost stop on a hill, I would think just like Thomas the Train “I think I can, I think I can…” Miraculously, the bus made it to the top of the mountain. I am glad it did because it was beautiful up there. We walked through the Ngong Ping village, and, Madeline, I tried to buy you a Buddha necklace or something to match your lovely earring you got years ago. However, I couldn’t find a good one. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. )-:

After the village we climbed the 260 steps it takes to get to the Big Buddha. It was awesome and made for an amazing view of the village and water below. I was all excited because I thought this Big Buddha was old and full of history. However, it isn’t. It was only unveiled in 1993. Bah!!! )-:

After the Big Buddha, we took a small hike along “Wisdom Path.” It provided an AMAZING view of the land below. Really spectacular!!!







Anyway, I think that is it for now. I am so pumped for Australia!! Diane, we can’t wait to see you!!