Friday, April 10, 2009

Hong Kong

As an end to my friend Cindy's trip, we went to Hong Kong for the weekend. I have been twice before, but we did so much more this time in an effort to see everything. We arrived in HK on Thursday evening and went for a fantastic dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel. This place had the most fabulous view of the Hong Kong skyline. This skyline is AMAZING...all the lights and buildings, mmmmm...I love it!! Anyway, we had dinner at the steakhouse and then drinks in the lobby while we enjoyed the view. After that, we went back to the hotel to get some rest for the busy Friday we had planned!
On Friday, we got going and went to try this dim sum place I read about online. Dim sum is a really popular Cantonese dish, and therefore really popular in Hong Kong. We went to try it out, and ended up being an hour early! Apparently I am terrible at planning! ;) So we ended up going to Lan Kwai Fong, which is a really popular bar district that is filled with foreigners at night. We got some sandwiches and headed to the bus station. Here, we caught a bus to Stanley Market which is a typical street market that totally caters to visitors and carries all types of "Chinese" souvenirs. Cindy loaded up with little things to take home and we headed to the bay to take some pictures and have a beer. After that, we took the bus back and then boarded another bus to go up to the peak. The peak has the most beautiful views of Hong Kong Island. Because we were so high up, it was COLD and windy!! We got a coffee and soaked in the sights. Afterward we took the tram down and headed to Soho. We walked around Soho for awhile and took the Mid-levels escalators...which are outdoor escalators that move thousands of people everyday from district to district. We had a couple of drinks at a local bar and then headed out for Mexican food. If you know me, you know I LOVE Mexican food. It pretty much can't be found in mainland China so it was a MUST on my list. Once we were filled up with as much pintos and tortilla chips as we could manage, we headed back to Lan Kwai Fong to check out the nightlife. Since Cindy was leaving early the next morning we didn't stay out late, but this place was BUMPIN!! I couldn't believe all the gwai lo's...I felt like I was back in America!! (Gwai Lo is a term that Chinese people use to refer to foreigners...it translates to white ghost...hahaha) Here are some photos from our busy weekend in HK.

Cindy and I on the train from Shenzen to Hong Kong.


Cindy in the lobby bar at the Intercontinental Hotel.


You have to come see this place in person...pictures don't even BEGIN to do it justice!


A really bad photo of Cindy and I on the double-decker bus headed to Stanley Market.


We love HK!!! :)


Cindy posing for a picture in front of the bay.


Andre and I.


From the peak...sooooooo high up!!




These are for you Dad. I think the window-cleaners should come to Hong Kong and do some bids!! :)



Typical view of a Hong Kong street or alley.



Lan Kwai Fung at night...and this picture was taken fairly early in the evening!!

Our 1st Visitor

Last week, we had our first visitor...my friend Cindy. Cindy and I used to teach together, and she decided to come to Dongguan during her Spring Break. She was only here for a week, so it was pretty action-packed trying to cram everything in. Here are a few photos from her trip.

Cindy and I the night she arrived. Having dinner & drinks at our favorite pub.


Cindy at the wet market down the road from our house...posing with the white & black (?) chickens!!


Doing the traditional Chinese pose in front of the Papa John's. Why not? :)


Cindy & our friend Bella at Bejing Bar.


Oh what a night!! This one put Cindy down for the count!! :)


Cindy...all ready for her first foot massage.


We got pedicures as well!! :)


Here she is trying squid...she did NOT like it!!


We ended her time in DG with a full body massage and facial...for her birthday!! :)