Hong Kong Revisited

Since I'm really good at time travel, I am going back to (over) a month ago to when I was in Hong Kong. I need to tell things in order and get caught up in the blogging world.

My last full day in Hong Kong was a full one. Mare and I got up early to do some Tai Chi on the boardwalk. It was a small group that gets together in the morning and they do an instructional class. I was excited about this because I completed my Tai Chi class in Thailand not too long ago. The instructor was a perfect cross between an oompa loompa and the wizard of Oz. He did some demonstrations with a woman twice his size and by the end of it, I was convinced that they were a couple and she was the dominant figure in the relationship. The best part about Tai Chi was the view. Who gets to do Tai Chi overlooking the most awesome, busiest, bustling skyline in the world? Kind of a paradox, but a great way to start the day.

After Tai Chi I got my haircut by Edward Scissorhands, or at least the Asian version of him. He was a cute and skinny Chinese boy who was extremely polite and extra gentle, just like Edward. He also had amazing hair. I love getting my haircut and washed. I almost opted for the Asian mullet, maybe next time.

We walked around the markets and art galleries in Soho. I loved seeing the HK markets and how they resemble something like NYC or San Francisco Chinatown. The fruit is extra colorful and the fish are huge. The most exciting thing that I saw was a "China-man with his shirt tucked above his belly." This was one of the items on my Hong Kong Scavenger Hunt. I needed to spot all sorts of fun things during my time there, and Mare and Doug made a Bingo card for me to complete. I don't think I made a Bingo, but it was a personal mission to see this t-shirt tuckage. It was awesome. These old men on the back of a truck pull up their shirts and roll them up above their big bellies to keep cool. I was satisfied. I wanted to give them high fives. Or rub their Buddha bellies.

We then went to afternoon tea at The Peninsula Hotel, which is the place to have a proper tea. Really lovely. There was a live orchestra in the balcony above and they serve you your own silver tea pot as well as a three-tiered array of deserts and snacks. Afterwards we went upstairs to look at the diamond shops - not really something that I've ever done before, but I must say, the things were huge. Probably some of the biggest diamonds I've ever seen in my life. We laughed at the glass casings that had previous gawkers' greasy nose and chin prints blotched all over. Gross.

That evening we went to dinner at a really nice and trendy restaurant on the top floor of a building overlooking the island. It had an incredible view and food that will make you be happy to be alive. The light show went off right after dinner. I took endless pictures trying to get the best lasers in the shot. One of the best dinners I've had in a long time.

The next morning it was hard to believe it was already time to go. I felt so at home and spending just a few days with my aunt and uncle helped me realize that I've got the best family in the world. Traveling on your own can be tough and lonely, but weeks like this are like steady rocks to hold on to in your crazy life storm.