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Published: October 10th 2005
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About to pack my stuff up again for the next leg of my journey to Thailand- and very excited about it. I think I've had just about the right amount of time here in Hong Kong to get an appreciation for the culture, night life, and food(well, I could always eat more).
FOOD etc: After blogging yesterday I was dead tired and starving and gathered the courage to eat in a local establishment. I ended up in this diner 'round the corner where they spoke not a word of english, and I was forced to point at the dishes on a sign outside. The food was simple and fabolous- chicken with sweet sauce over boiled noodles, and an amazing chicken congee (rice pourage soup). it was me and some other chinese families in there slurping away. All this for $4. Afterwards I was absolutely leveled with exhaustion and jet lag and had to nap from while. A nice shower and random Chinese energy drink later (It could have been anything really, there was no English on it) I wandered out and ended up in a Japanese restaurant in a shopping tower. I had the most wonderful sushi ever there- the
salmon was exquisite, the california roll divine, and even an ice cream "roll" for desert. grand total $4!!! I'm headed back there for lunch today! This morning I finally tracked down a Cantonese Dim Sum place for breakfast.. yum.
DINING: I've yet to be given a napkin when i sit down which i find strikingly odd. However, you're always supplied with a wet nap sort of thing- but i'm not sure if this is for before the meal, after the meal, or for wiping your baby's butt. Meals are ALWAYS served with wonderful Chinese tea (the kind with stuff floating around in it), and are super relaxed. There is a great simplicity to the Chinese table setting- Chopsticks (always nice, not the wooden kind you find in the States), small bowls, wide/deep spoons, chopstick stand, and a couple plates. That's it.
HOSTEL- The Dragon Inn has been great. It's situated in Mong Kok which definitely has a "real" Hong Kong feel to it. Immediately after leaving the apartment high rise that we're in you there is a smattering of Chinese on the street, and it's quite rare that I actually see a whitey like me on the street
Hong Kong skyline
from the "peak"... not a great shot cause of all the smog and clouds. and no, i'm not unhappy in this photo (except in the hostel).Depsite the hoards of people everywhere, Hong Kong is quite relaxed, not nearly as frenetic as NYC. I'm still blown away by the guys working on Bamboo scaffolding everywhere. Yes, i'm a bit tall for this place- occasionally a tiny woman's head with hit me in my stomach when i walk, or i'll have to duck under a sign. My 5' by 10' room has been kind to me, and after a true 8 hour sleep last night I finally feel like my brain is functioning again. An added perk is the 3' by 4' shared closet, (i mean bathroom) complete with sink, toilet and shower so you can multitask* (i have not yet attempted that on this trip, but hope to in Thailand).
STUFF- My "Uncle Woof" embroidered (well Sharpied actually) sleep-sac has been great, and keeps me from being in too much contact with the hostel bedding (Thanks sis-Nora!). Also, I LOVE my camping towel. Works better than a real towel, but only weighs 7 oz and dries in minutes! Of course, I couldn't live without the camera and MP3 player
NIGHTLIFE- Seems i've hit the main two areas for this- Lan Kwai
wandering through hong kong
(that's me int he photo).. using my awesome spider tripod thing Fan (my first night) and Wanchai. I hit the latter again last night- an area known as a place where American GI's sojourned for R & R during the wars. Not my favorite place- last night I walked up and down the street looking for somewhere to just grab a drink without having to watch the "American Dream" of old fat white dudes with young Asian women (i'm sure i'll see much more of this in Thailand). After being forcefully grabbed by an old Asian women in front of a girlie bar, i wrestled my arm away and hit the bar in a Mexican restaurant. Next to me was what looked like a nice young woman drinking by herself- albeit a Margarita, and two mexican flags (a colorful vodka shot). After learning that it was all for her, and i also learned that i hadn't found the kind of bar i was looking for. Sad. (she managed to drink 4 more shots before heading to the disco to "dance").
Sad, but I don't think i've learned a word of Chinese here (This is not like me). There is English everywhere, which makes getting around quite easy. Ah well... more
Sushi and then i'm off for the land of smiles.
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Marcus
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Bye Bye Hong Kong
The markets are just so cool. Remind me of 'real' Arab shuks with their narrow halls and dark corners. Sounds like the food was excellent. $4 sushi? Perhaps the airfare makes up for it. Uncle Woof!!!