Searching (Hong Kong Trip)

*sigh* I’m back in my own apartment and my adoptive country. Funny thing – my bathroom seems like a small luxury. The shower in my room was the tiniest thing! And it had a curtain which actually made it worse. Uh oh. I never did take a picture of it. Sorry!

My trip to Hong Kong was great. I realized I went searching for an adventure. And I found it!!! I only plan to give a summary of highlights. But I’ll post pictures too.

I decided “searching” was the best way to describe it. I spent time searching for location – famous sites, food places, my hotel, the MTR station. And I spent so much time walking!!! Wow. And it was a bit silly. I got myself lost a few times and so had to do more walking than necessary. I wasn’t exactly lost though. I just took a wrong turn or walked in the wrong direction. So then I would backtrack. :D These feet of mine did a fine job.

I’m very glad the Hong Kong trip came before the Beijing trip! I had a chance to learn some lessons about traveling. And I feel better about my next adventure. (I’m sure I’ll have more good experiences). Hong Kong was great since I could finally talk to the people! Oh so nice.

I had 2 kind people that really helped me out. They were on the buses I took and one told me to get off since I was heading the wrong way (it was my first night and I had just arrived, give me a break). The other one told me to get off since it was the stop for my hotel. And then he walked up there and showed me my hotel. His house was beyond it, up the hill. I was grateful to these 2 people!

My purpose of the trip was to obtain a visa so I could visit China. And I did just that. So the trip was successful! I also saw some cool stuff. Here’s a quick list: –light show –Victoria Peak/The Peak Tram –Stanley Market –Museum of Fine Art – Space Museum –Museum of History –the waterfront lined with tall buildings –batman building –Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple –Temple Street Night Market

And some funny things too -- a car with no driver! Oh just kidding. They were controlled by the British and so they drive on the other side of the road. The wrong side, to me. I really did think the car had no one driving it for a few seconds. And then I looked closer and saw someone on the other side.

I rode the MTR (subway) lots and buses a few times. I rode some light buses that are famous for their amazing maneuvering skills. I actually wasn’t really worried while riding them. And I never took a taxi! I was proud of myself for that. As mentioned before, I used my feet mostly.

I got to experience the morning rush hour on the subway. We were so packed in there! I was smashed up against people. And we would stop and more people would shove their way on. It was quite funny. I was second in line and yet I didn’t push enough so I didn’t get on the first train that came through the station. I resolved to push more on the second train. And I got on.

It’s hard to convey but I’m guessing some of you have experienced it. It’s so fun and funny at the same time! So many people heading to the same place.

The light show was very cool. Buildings on both side of the …um, harbor? ... participate in it. I tried to see it the first night I got in but it didn’t work out. I couldn’t find my way out to the street!!! I knew I would be okay if I could only get out of the transportation system and malls. But I was just stuck. I talked to a security guy and he recommended I use a bus. So I went down to the bus terminal and got on one. Then I met the nice lady who told me to get off. I was going away from the waterfront! The opposite direction. So I hopped off and dragged my suitcase around the streets of Hong Kong. And I was out walking for a good 2 hours. I rode the subway over to Hong Kong Island and then took a ferry back to Kowloon. I didn’t know what I was doing exactly. I was just exploring :)

Ok, back to the light show. There isn’t a whole lot I can say. I couldn’t describe it. When you get to Hong Kong (notice the use of “when” not “if”) you definitely need to see it. It is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest permanent light show. Or something like that. I wish I could have seen it twice. I saw it from Hong Kong Island but it would be great to see it from Kowloon too.

I had a rough first night but the next two days were better. Although I did go the wrong direction a few times :) I walk fast and was able to get most things in. I do have a few things I want to see. I decided they can wait until my next visit. I need a stronger reason to go back than just that I want to. So now I have two reasons. 1)I want to visit again 2)I haven’t seen everything yet. Ain’t I smart?

Let me know if you have questions. I’m not sure how well this conveyed my trip. I’ll put pictures on and that should help you share in my experience. Enjoy!