Hong Kong Part 2

We have done so much I don't even know where to begin. Monday we decided it would be a good idea to drive out to Lantau Island and see the big Buddha. I guess usually a tourist would take several modes of public transportation followed by an hour long ride on a possibly not so safe sky tram at $12 a person. Well, there is a reason you let someone else take care of transportation haha. We finally got on the right road only to realize that you need a special permit for that particular road. Oh well. We did get to the top after lots of winding and luckily there was parking up at the top. Big Buddha was really big and quite impressive and the monastery was beautiful.

It was worth the crazy drive but maybe next time Mark will reconsider before he offers to drive his guests out to see Buddha.

We were so tired after our trek that we came back for a quick nap before heading out to Victoria Peak for dinner. Elaine's flight from Malaysia got in just in time for her to meet us a Cafe Deco. It was very tasty and the view from the top was amazing!


Tuesday we were all set with map in hand (Elaine circled some of the best shopping for us) and money securely tucked away for a day of spending. We started at the jade market and to be honest, we didn't even know what to do. Our senses were overwhelmed by all the pearls, jade, silver and general sparkliness of everything. WOW! I can't believe I didn't get a single picture but how could one think of a camera in a time like this. Don't worry, we are going back now that we are more experienced in the art of choosing, bargaining and making the final purchases. The shopping didn't stop there, we were pretty hungry and stopped for something quick, white, mushy and greasy before heading to the ladies market. It was full of clothes, shoes, purses and various other items ladies cannot live without for a killer price. We went a little crazy but still didn't really make a dent in our budget or even begin to fill the two extra suitcases we brought.

Fear not, the shopping has continued and we are getting better at all the haggling (probably because our ability to divide by 8 very quickly and more accurately is improving as well). We have seen most of the interesting and diverse districts in Hong Kong at this point and have eaten as many different kinds of foods. We saw the Man Mo Temple with its enormous incense coils...

...and we even went to the famous Happy Valley horse races.

This morning we went to a session at the beautiful Hong Kong temple and of course...did some more shopping. We still have a hundred things to see and several hundred HK dollars to spend! We will probably end up filling all the suitcases and I may even have to borrow from Mark and Elaine's "extra carry-on closet."


Heehee! I'm having fun...I'm a lucky girl!