Today we went to a food festival at The Convention Center. We only saw one other non-Asian person there. It's amazing how many unappetizing things the Chinese eat. We went to the mid-levels where there is the longest escalator in the world. (Don't quote me on that). We wandered among the various street markets there. That night we went to Times Square which is patterned off the one in New York. Was very crowded but amazing. We had dinner a ex-pat place which was broadcasting a Irish soccer game and had a very animated crowd.... read more

X-mas Day Merry Christmas to everyone back in the States. We started the day by gathering in my parents' room for a breakfast of pastries and beverages. Then everyone participated in a white elephant gift exchange. Surprisingly, everyone was happy with what they ended up with. Late morning, we took the MTR to the piers and a 20 minute ferry ride to Mui Wo on Lantau Island. Hopped a bus and had another Disneyland ride up to the Big Buddha (Tian Tan) and Po Lin Monastery on the Ngong Ping Plateau. This is a sacred spot for Chinese Buddhists. We had lunch at Ngong Ping village and then took a spectacular 20 minute cable car ride down to Tung Chung. We had great views of the island and the South China Sea. Quiet dinner that night ... read more

our travel party of 17 finally all arrived here in Hong Kong. Due to the extreme cold, we were delayed only 1 hour and arrived at 8pm Monday. Cousins Nick and James sat on the tarmac 4 hours in Chicago only to miss their flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong. They had to spend the night here and arrived here Tuesday pm. Cousin Emily's luggage was missing when we arrived but was here the next night. We had some great food at the Thai Orchid that night. Tuesday we spent 7 hours walking and gawking. Some of the highlights wre a ferry ride to Kowloon, visiting the Jade Market, watching Uncle Jim getting fitted for a custom coat, looking at the great xmas decorations at the Penisula Hotel, getting the hang of the underground transit system ... read more