Continuing with the Chinese New Year theme, we spent the second half of the official holiday in Hong Kong.
Realizing that, over a year into this assignment, we hadn't really seen much of China, or even much of Asia really, it was time to fix that problem. Most of our friends were headed to warm, sunny beaches, but we wanted to go a little lower key, given our Christmas extravaganza (see
HERE if you don't remember how we spent our holiday season).
We have friends who recently moved from Shanghai to HK over the last Summer, and, of course there is a Disney park that we haven't graced with our anticipated joy and excitement...so four days in China Light seemed just the right diversion for this mid-Winter holiday.
I say China Light, because, while Hong Kong was handed over to the local government by Britain a few years ago after a 100 year lease, there is a 50-year transition period before Hong Kong becomes fully Chinese with all laws and restrictions associated therewith. That is, it is a free-er and more open and Democratic society (with Facebook, YouTube and...this blog). Luxuries that we enjoy on the mainland, only through the wonders of greater technology...
Out of our hotel, we walked to Victoria Harbour, passing various colonial trappings of days gone by.
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| Still Chinese New Year... |
Our initial approach to a new city often includes a hop-on hop-off bus to dampen our tourist feet. And, since Hong Kong presents itself in various pieces, separated by water which involves a ferry that is included in the bus tour, all the more reason to buy a 48-hour pass! The prince and princess of our mini-kingdom, however, found this to be so mundane that they retreated to the lower deck of the bus and played out some cereal make-believe dialogue for the duration of the tour on the first day, taking in almost nothing of the sights, smells and sounds of this magnificent world city. I know that I have mentioned that they don't do tourism for the sake of tourism...needs to be something in it for them...
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| This...they liked this! |
I was intrigued by the long lines at the Apple store...enough to check it out, which took some coaxing for my kids to leave!
*******
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| Colonial pawn shop turned restaurant |
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| Loved this church |
As far as Abigail is concerned, there were only two reasons for going to Hong Kong. So we hopped a sunset ferry to Discovery bay...
To see Zoe!
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| They saw each other briefly in October but really hadn't spent time together since last June |
We had dinner with the Larsons, then went to their apartment for dessert and admired their view of Disney'd evening fireworks. Then we left them for a wild night of little girls' sleepover and adventures the next day. Thanks to Connie (Zoe's mom), I have second-hand knowledge that much fun was had by all!
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| Tea Party |
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| Beach Party |
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| Book Mobile |
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| The Park |
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| The Fountain |
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| The Koala Tree building |
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| The realization that the end of this ferry ride will be the end of the visit |
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| Saying 'Goodbye' the way they said 'Hello' |
Meanwhile, William was left to be an only child and tour Hang Kong with us...
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| Climbing the rocks at Stanley Market |
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| Riding in a sampan |
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| quality guy time |
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| Junk Boat |
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| Missed out on the Andy Warhol exhibit because the museum was closed on day 5 of CNY |
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| Demonstrating his Bruce Lee moves |
Finally, after everyone had a great day, and Abigail was reluctantly returned to us, Connie and I had a grown-up girls' night out for Valentine's Day!
At least our cocktails were pink!
Still one more day in Hong Kong...
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