Well once again
China was very random and abrupt. They let us know Monday night that Tuesday
night we were going to Hong Kong… of course we didn’t know if it was by plane
or train. Well it was by plane; we left yesterday at 5pm and didn’t actually
take off until 8pm. We got into Hong Kong around 11:30pm. I was very tired and
ready for bed but we had to buy new sim cards so our phones would work here, an
octopus card to use the MTR or buses. Finally at 1am we got to the hotel (it’s
a really nice hotel I feel a little out of place). We had to be up this morning
and meet at 8am so we could get to the visa office when it first opened. I
think I got maybe 5hrs. of sleep but on the plus side I had an American
breakfast of ham, eggs, and toast…it tasted so good. Then we went to the visa
office and we were done pretty quickly, then it was time to visit Hong Kong.
Let me tell you we have walked all over this island and my feet will testify to
that. One other thing you must keep in mind it that this is an island so there
are very few straight level streets; instead you either walk practically
vertical up a slope or try to not fall coming down a slope. We went to the peak
in the train, half of the way up you are sitting in this train and its
practically vertical, it felt weird. We were something like 400km above sea
level, but it was worth it. We went up to the roof of the building at the peak
and took pictures of the view and wrote these love notes and left them there.
So here in Hong Kong I have a love note on the highest peak.
We then came back
down and went to the botanical and animal place. It was free and really cool.
We ate a simple lunch there and then walked all over Hong Kong just randomly
visiting different shops and places. After my feet could take no more I came
back to the hotel and rested a little, that 5hrs. of sleep had caught up to me.
After Amber and Charlene came back from the market we went to McDonalds for
dinner—I have never been so happy to see a golden arch in my life. It was pretty
amazing to eat so much American food in one day. Don’t get me wrong I love
Chinese food, Wuhan and their spiciness is growing on me…maybe not my stomach
but I like what I’m tasting in my mouth. After we ate we passed by a bakery by
the hotel so I stopped and bought two tarts one is chocolate (I ate it already
and it was soooo good it had almonds on top) and the second is hazelnut I am
saving it for tomorrow. Tomorrow we were going to go to Disneyland Hong Kong
but its more expensive then we thought so instead I think we are going to go to
the many markets here and buy some stuff. I am looking for some beautiful jade
jewelry so I am excited about that…we will see how it goes.
Another view it was so high up.
Me at the airport getting ready to fly back home to Wuhan!
Hong Kong really is the place
were East meets West you feel like you are in any big city in America at times
more then you feel like you are in China. Hong Kong was owned by Great Britain
for many years and the British influence is still here. When you are in a cab
the driver is on the right side and they drive on the opposite side of the road
here. It was really tripping out Amber, but it hasn’t really bothered me. When I teach the kids English I have to
remember that they have learned British English more then American English.
It’s fine with me but some of the teachers get annoyed. It has been quite the
adventure within an adventure. Plus I now have the stamps in my passport to
prove it!! My Grandpa had the right idea traveling around the world you learn
about different people and cultures—I think about him a lot on this journey. I
know that I got at least some of his adventurous spirit or I wouldn’t be in
China.
No comments:
Post a Comment