Hong Kong Day 2

Woke up (so tired!!) went to breakfast and had eggs and soup (with macaroni and peas). Waitress asked where I was from (Meigouren). She was from Shanghai. People looked at my funny in the residential area. Not very many tourists go there. We hopped a bus to go to Repulse Bay, via Central. Very curvey roads again!! Ugh. (I took Pepto Bismol before breakfast). Saw Happy Valley Racecourse and where all the rich people live. Incredible!!! Their houses are huge and just hanging off the side of the mountain. When we finally arrived at Repulse Bay there were dragon boat races going on. Very cool! The Sky Queen and King statues are here as well as a temple. Many pictures. She is the goddess of fishing and fertility.

So hot and humid!! Got drinks at the 7Eleven (so funny). I had Rose petal and date water. It was good. 7Elevens are everywhere!! Got back on a mini-bus to go to Aberdeen. Lots of fishing and factories here. We headed to the Jumbo floating restaurant where we had to take a boat to get there. Cool. You can look at what you are about to eat (and even pick it out) behind the restaurant. Very nice dinner but with duck tongue. I didn't eat very many. HK people like them a lot. Like chicken wings. Across from the restaraunt was where the yacht club is. All rich people's boats are docked here like Jackie Chan and Andy Lau!

Boarded another bus to go to Kowloon City where the Wong Tai Sin (pronounced shin) temple is. This man was a doctor who was good at telling people's fortunes. Many people still go here to have their fortune told. I went through the motions for Isabella. So many people doing this and it made me very sad.

South of the temple is a city called MongKok. Famous for shopping and the ladies market. So hot!! We got a watermelon slushie. It was the best thing I've ever tasted. China loves watermelon, by the way. Saw a prostitute and where they do their 'business'. All the yellow signs for hotel rooms is their 'office.'

There are sooo many people!!! Ha Ha Talked to Douglas on the phone.

Bus to Tsim Sha Tsui. Lots of brand name shopping. The Pennisula Hotel is next to the YMCA. Already so tired!! This area is on the shore of Victoria Harbor where you can see the light show on Hong Kong Island every night at 8pm. Also Tsim Sha Tsui is where the symphony and arts district is. We went along the Avenue of Stars (like in Hollywood) and saw Jackie Chan's star as well as many other HK stars. I took a lot of pictures.

Next I treated Isabella to dinner and I opted for Western food at the YMCA. I also was able to check my email. Then we went to watch the light show across the Harbor. Very Cool! Next we watche the water show: Aqua Fantasia? Very cool. You'll just have to ask to see the video. Before getting on the Star Ferry (very famous) we got some gelato. Double scoop. Rasberry Twist (ok) and Lavendar (very good. Sooo different!) Got on the Star Ferry to go to North Point and then to Convention Center to see the flower sculpture. It was given to HK by the Chinese government when it was handed over to China in 1997.

Hopped a double decker tram (very old and very famous) to go to the original SoHo is. All the foreigners go there to hang out and relax. A lot of Western restaraunts are here. I was so freakin' tired at this point but I had to see everything!!! Isabella would say about our weekend: "so packed." We also went to the Western Market but it was closed. This is a British building (old). We also saw the building where the boss of Tony Leung in Infernal Affairs was pushed off. Got back on the tram and headed for a bus to take us to Sai Wan Ho. I fell asleep on the bus, I was so tired.

When we got back to the flat Karen was home, so I actually got to meet her. Before I went to bed I called Dad and also got to talk to Fred. They were fishing.

Several things:

• Isabella calls the AC 'air con' for short. (Many people do).
• "Don't dress like people in Mong Kok!" (lower class)
• The subway refers to a walkway for people to walk under the street to get to the other side, NOT for the train.