"Copy Watches...Cheap bags...hash?"

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This is what we hear as we walk down the mean streets of Kowloon, here in Hong Kong. They do a few things well apparently: suits, fake Rolexes, fake bags, and...hash. The hash is usually quietly spoken after the boisterous claim for the other items, so that's nice.

No, we got to Hong Kong on Friday after a mere 28 (the train company says 25...I guess it's fuzzy math) hour train ride from Shanghai. We're actually pretty good at these long distance journeys by now. It doesn't really faze us anymore. All you need is a good book, a deck of cards, peanut butter, and a big bowl of ramen noodles, and you're set. Once we arrived, we checked into our "Mansion." Many of the hostels here in Kowloon are in these big, run down, buildings aptly called mansions. The rooms, well, they suck. We are in one with 4 others on some bunk beds where the frame moves every time you do. We both got stuck up top, so that's cool. But hey, what can you do? It's just a place to sleep so we'll make due for the 3 nights we're here.

After getting settled in we got down to business. First was checking the score of the Texas Basketball game, which we won (though I just learned that we lost in OT in the Elite 8, which sucks b/c checking for scores and trying in vain to find it on TV has been fun), then we were off for plane tickets. We bought tickets to Thailand for $140 US which was better than we expected, so that's cool. To sweeten the deal even more, we found a cleaners next store that washed all of our clothes for $3 and there is nothing nicer than washed and dried clothes at this point.

Once we had settled our affairs we found a place to chill and relax for the evening. The next day, we woke up and head out for Hong Kong Island and some lunch. We found a noodle house that comes recommended, which was pretty good. After that we went to Ocean Park, an aquarium and amusement park (weird combo). We saw some sea lions, a ton of sharks, and a coral reef they built in the aquarium. We got some good photos and as soon as we can figure out how to post them, we'll put them up. We keep meaning to do that, but we keep getting sidetracked.

Anyway, just wanted to give a brief update. We're tired of dressing like hippies so we're going to buy some clothes.

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Photos

Headed to Hong Kong
We thought Hong Kong was China, but apparently we were leaving the country. Does anyone know what a Special Administrative Region is?

Typical Apartment Building
Everywhere we've been, we see a lot of buildings like this. They all look pretty much the same and this one is actually one of the nicer we've seen.

At least we had some nice views.
This is some of the land we passed on our 27 HOUR train ride to Hong Kong

The Mean Streets of Hong Kong
If you want Hash, just keep walking, someone will ask.

Deluxe Accomodations
The hostels in Hong Kong aren't the best.

The View from Ocean Park
Our day at the Amusement Park

At the Aquarium
This guy looks friendly

Comments

[CC]

So, did you try the hash yet??? Sounds like y'all are having a blast... I'm green with envy! I remember the feeling the first time I washed my clothes in something other than a sink when I was in Japan... It's heaven. (I say Japan, because I didn't bother in Thailand... Maybe that's why I was treated like shit when I got to Japan. Hmmmmm) I miss you guys. Been hectic here. B of A finally sent me that debit card, so there shouldn't be any problems with the rent check this month. Safe travelling!!!

[lil bro]

hong kong
i believe hong kong is still under british rule.