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Published: November 9th 2006
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An early morning start
The Fitness Center is awesome. I enjoyed a good workout this morning. Hi everyone!
First off, Happy Birthday to you Diane Francisco!!!!! Don't know when I will be back on the blog, so I didn't want to miss that!
We had an incredible evening last night! Arrived in Hong Kong, had a bit of quiet time in our room and then it was off for dinner. We left the hotel and went to the Peak Tram Station for an exciting funicular railway ascent to the top of Victoria Peak. Amazing! Breath-taking! Once off the tram, we headed into the Cafe Deco for cocktails and dinner. Wow! A sweeping spiral staircase impressively separates the restaurant's two levels. The seamless glass wall extends the entire length of the restaurant to reveal a view which can be seen from every aspect within. The outside walkway provides an excellent spot for picture taking. Unfortunately, my camera wasn't able to capture the magic of the city lights way below us. But it will be in my mind for a very long time!
The meal was incredible (I'm using that word a lot, I know, but I don't know how else to describe all this!). It was a buffet, but first class all the way. We
A houseboat
This is part of the Floating Community. had everything from vegetable rolls, thai pork salad, sushi, through to lamb, chicken satay, steak, seabass, ..........through to the outstanding dessert buffet (which I didn't touch, because there was nothing chocolate.......whew!). It was such a fun evening! I felt like a princess, honest to goodness! I felt like I was sitting on top of the world!!!!!
We got back to the hotel close to midnight and everyone hit the sack! The rooms are first class. The duvet on the beds are amazing. The washrooms are big, bright, new, ........the beds are very comfortable and we all had a great sleep.
I was up, bright and early, and into the Fitness Center which is at the top of the hotel. The equipment is state of the art, complete with eliptical machines, rowing machines, recumbent bikes, treadmills (each equipped with their own little TV), next to a full weight room. The swimming pool is up just a few steps and outside on the roof top.
From there, I headed back to the room to get ready for the day. Breakfast was also a buffet and had everything you could possibly imagine.......Belgian waffles, any kind of omelet you could think
Closer view of the houseboat
Boy, are we spoiled in the way we live! of, cereals of every kind, fruit that was extraordinary, breads, buns, cold meats, salads, and so on. Then it was time to head for the buses. We went to the famous Star Ferry to sail across the bay to Hong Kong Island (this ferry experience is a great memory in that it will be one of the last ferry rides of its kind as of this coming weekend). We then went by bus to the famous Stanley Market. Not enough time there! Lots to see. It was a fun shopping experience! From there, we continued our tour through Repulse Bay en route to the Aberdeen Fishing Village to get a close-up view of the "floating community". We had a Dim Sum lunch at the Jumbo Floating restaurant. We were fortunate at our table to be joined by Alex Chan and his daughter Eileen. Alex is from Hong Kong and is now living in Toronto. This was his first trip back in over 60 years! He and his daughter are taking this trip together; Alex is 84 years old! We had a great tutorial all through dinner on how to use chopsticks, what each course of the meal included and how
City living
The highrises are everywhere and a sight to see! to eat it, etc. It made the meal that much more fun!
After lunch, it was time to head back to the hotel for "free time". I, personally, had a goal and a dream to have a suit custom made while I was here. My new buddies, Anne and Tina, came along to the tailors with me. (Thanks to Kate, Tony and Michel for all your input and recommendations in this regard). I was measured, selected the material (a red cashmere gabardine, and made arrangements for the jacket to be custom made. I was measured for the pants but will order them at a later time. ($$$$ factor). At 7:30, we returned for my fitting. The jacket will be mailed to me at the end of the month (because I won't be home till then). I love it. I loved the experience. I will also feel special and successful every time I wear that jacket when I give a presentation!!!!
After the "fitting", Anne, Tina and I headed out to the streets to the shopping area to experience a bit of Hong Kong at night. Wow. What an adventure. Such excitement! So many choices. We had a drink
Their clotheslines
Laundry is often seen hanging from the balconies. Look closely.... and snacks at the top of a building in a place called Aqua. Great fun. Amazing view of the harbor!!!!! Once again, it all felt like a dream!
I'm sure I'm leaving out some details of the day, because it was a day full of adventure, new experiences and fun. I even enjoyed the water taxi tour of the floating community. I believe my comfort level on water is significantly improving!!!!
The reason I get these blogs/notes done each day is because typically during our free time in the afternoon, most people have been returning to their rooms to rest/nap before supper. We are all still adjusting to the time changes. I am grateful that I have been working out so much these past many months because my stamina is at an all time high. And I'm not a napper, but I do enjoy the "quiet time" after a busy morning of touring, etc. So, this is how I enjoy the calm and I enjoy my pictures too. It's fun sharing them with you.
We also took the time today to add Tina's friends and family to our blog adventure. Welcome!
And that's it for today.
Lunch at the Floating Restaurant
This was a great lunch experience! An early rise tomorrow at 6:30, as we have breakfast, etc. and head to Viet Nam. We will be in Ho Chi Minh City. I can hardly wait........
Sayonara!
Happy Pat
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HappYanski
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Incroyable!
Do you realise you are traveling around the world? I realise it for you... Pat, I am now jalous ;-) Seriously, keep on enjoying your experience! See you soon!