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Published: September 20th 2007
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The weather has not cleared up. It is such a bummer. But at least it is not raining. It is now Thursday and I leave today!
The past three days I have spent meandering around Hong Kong Island and yesterday my cousin and I went to Macau. I walked around Hollywood Road in HK and browsed through many different galleries. I visited the Man Mo Temple, which has a ridiculous amount of insence, not for those with dry eyes, and the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kowloon, the biggest temple in Hong Kong. I hopped on a trolley and rode through city center until I reached the end and then just stayed on and headed back to town. I strolled along Graham Street and Pottinger Street to see the various markets. I also took a gorgeous bus ride to this area called Stanley. And what I think I have enjoyed the most is the skyline. I think one of the themes I enjoy the most in taking pictures is finding lines and skyscrapers, at least here, allow me to do that. And at night it has been just so picturesque! I also, obviously, went to Victoria Peak. I actually HIKED
Interesting Wall Decor
just liked the picture...in SoHo from Sandi's home to the top in a little over an hour. I guess I have a lot of hiking/trekking coming up in the next couple of weeks....
I've parked myself in various malls and hotels to relax and read my book. Pacific Place (a mall) is absurd...I mean they have every ridiculous store...Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Theory, Chloe, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, Dolce, Prada, etc...I did a ton of shopping!! Um, yea right - with no salary and a teeny tiny bag...not a chance! Moving on, the Mandarin Oriental is gorgeous! All of the decor is just beautiful. And The Peninsula just the same. Although I never felt more out of place there. I was SHUNNED from going to the Felix at the top of the hotel cuz I was in sandals! I went out and BOUGHT a pair of shoes cuz I was told that I must see the restaurant and bar there. Was it worth it? Well if there weren't blinds hanging across my view I would have been happier. They say that it was part of the decor...ugh.
So I left and went to the Avenue of Stars to see the Light Show which is basically
watching the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island light up and do (fancy) things. It is seen from the Kowloon side (which is part of mainland, not an island) of Hong Kong. Obviously, this was more for the picture taking than the awe of buildings lighting up. Definitely a whole slew of tourists and I was approached by two interesting characters, but I will share the stories another time.
Sandi and I also took a ferry to Lamma Island for the famous dinner at Rainbow restaurant...a mix between tourists and local businessmen out for extensive chinese seafood fare.
I seem have managed the bus and rail system here. It is a city that is pretty easy to navigate. This I have been happy with!
And yesterday Sandi and I went out to Macau...the hydrofoil on the way there was extremely nauseating, but well worth the trip. The areas of the city that have not been built over with casinos are gorgeous. The island has a lot of Protugese influence as it was initially settled by them, similar to Hong Kong having been settled by the British. We saw the ruins of St Paul's and visited the Museum of
Macau. And then wondered along the streets before making our way to Hac Sa beach on Coloane Island. But first we saw this woman who was wearing a t-shirt that said Less Is Enough, which written on top of each other and taking the first letter of each word spells, LIE...I got a good chuckle out of it. Anyway, at Hac Sa we got a quick bite to eat at Fernando, a quaint Portugese restaurant on the beach.
We then made our way to Tapei Island where the brand new Venetian has opened. It was fascinating because as we drove by it didnt even look like it had opened yet cuz there was noone around, but let me tell you when you walk inside, man there were a ton of people. I believe this is the largest hotel complex in the world. All 3,000 rooms were booked and it was more ridiculous than Vegas. We made a stop at this Brazilian restaurant there, Fogo Samba, to say hi to one of Sandi's friends. Obviously top notch, but while we were there a pipe burst and it flooded the entire second floor for about 30 minutes. It was incredible to
see all the employees scooping up water with dustpans and garbage pails at 630 when their first seating was in an hour!! It all came together but what a disaster, or just another day in a restaurant!
Everything is getting built so quickly in Macau and it seems it will be larger than vegas...there was SOO much construction around the area. We ended the night with a nice dinner at what used to be an exclusive restaurant/hotel, Clube Militar de Macau, for another Portugese meal. And we ended up home around midnight.
Oh, and the meaning of the title...Sandi mentioned that you must write down sentences you will never say again, and this is one that fits the bill...potakas are the currency on Macau.
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Mom and Dad
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HK
Glad everything went well in HK. Sure looks different from the last time I was there. Enjoy Bhutan. Love , Mom and Dad