And now...the moment you've all been waiting for...

Ok, sorry for my lack of posting as of late, but I've been, umm, busy? lazy? Well, maybe a little of both, but mostly busy.
Anyway, I will see many of you in less than a week, so I figured I should get caught up on here, so you can't flog me in public.
So, without further adieu, my Hong Kong trip...

Technically they don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Japan, so Lauren and I took matters into our own hands. We took some vacation days.
We picked Hong Kong for the following reasons:
1. They speak English.
2. It was cheap.
3. Did I mention they speak English?

As you can tell, it was a very calculated decision. Also, Lauren has a great aunt and uncle in Hong Kong, so we figured we could see them as well.

We we first landed we already knew we would love it. There was English everywhere. We did get a little turned around trying to make our way to the hotel (we couldn't find the subway), but of course we simply asked directions--and got them--all in English. (Now please don't get me wrong--I love foreign languages, but I just needed to be around some English for a few days...I've had my fill of bowing.)
Our hotel we incredible.
Langham Place Hotel

We still don't know how we got it so cheap. (Thank you No. 1 Travel!)
Our first order of business when we got our stuff to the hotel was dinner. We wanted turkey, chicken, some sort of bird. Of course our goal was to eat bird everyday, just to prove we wouldn't get the bird flu. We got a turkey and chicken wrap-2 birds-and it was super. We walked around the area and just took it all in, and also decided what we would do for our few days there.
The next day we decided we would visit the many markets Hong Kong has to offer. Before we left the hotel, Lauren called her great aunt, and she invited us to dinner with them that evening. We were to meet them at Star Ferry, so we figured out how to get there, then went out for the day.
We went to the fish market. (I also have some VERY disturbing video to go along with this venture.)

Here are some eels...yum yum!

Oh, and don't forget the frogs...


The fruit market


The flower market


We also went to the Jade Market and met a guy named Angus there that was nice...or so we thought. There were 2 American guys hanging around him too, that talked to us and were nice...or so we thought. Of course there is a story to go along with this, but you'll just have to ask me when I'm home. Needless to say, we don't care if we never see them again.

Now, that evening we had dinner at the Hong Kong Yacht Club, thanks to Lauren's rich great uncle and aunt.

Lauren and I with Auntie June


Lauren and I with Uncle Fook Hing


They are so adorable. It was fun watching them interact. It was also great because they took us to eat places we'd never have afforded on our own.

The second day we were headed to The Peak (i.e. where all the rich people live) We took the peak tram up the mountain.



We went shopping, then came down to have lunch with Auntie June at her church.


Here is another picture of the church--but the point of this picture is the white car and the lady standing by it. She is Auntie June's servant (her word-not mine). This is just an example of how stinkin' rich they are.


On a side note, we found out later that they are rich because Uncle Fook Hing's family has been in the ship building business for many years, so he inherited his riches.

Sights from the day

Gotta represent...


Rickshaw fun


Protestors outside the court


We also went to dinner that night with Auntie June and Uncle Fook Hing at the Hong Kong Country Club. We had Peking Duck (and lots of other stuff) which is now my favorite Chinese food.

The next day we went to the mall by our hotel.
Here are the rainbow stairs.


Lunch at the hotel




A cat sleeping in a pan that was for sale (the pan, not the cat)...SICK!


Random alley--We don't see much filth in Japan. (I know this isn't very dirty, but it's dirtier than anything I've seen in Japan.)


The Starbucks we went to everyday...


Stanley Market


Cute kid hanging out the sunroof


That night we went to the light show. We were excited about this, but it turned out to not be so cool. Anyway, we made the most of it and had fun.



L and I


Our last night, we met up with Angus and went to a fun spot in Central district. It was a fun way to end our last night in Hong Kong. We got to the hotel at 3:00 a.m., then had to get up at 4:30 a.m. to catch our flight.

In conclusion, we had a great time in Hong Kong. I want to go again--who wants to go with me?