Day 145 May 25, 2010

Today we learned about the different types of noodles while we were eating in a local restaurant. The waiter was extremely energetic and wanted to show us the different types we could choose from.

Happy people Rock.

This picture is one of the numerous clothing stalls in Kowloon.




Day 144

Today we "hiked" up Victoria Peak. Okay. It's not a hike at all. It's more like a sweaty walk. When you get to the top there's a mini-mall and a Starbucks.

It's not a hike.

Later that night we were wandering around the city and we heard bagpipes. Of course any type of live music is going to make us curious, so we follow our ears and find a Chinese Bagpipe Marching Band. Nice.




Day 143

Sometimes it's fun to act like a tourist.

We signed up for a free Chinese cake making class through the Hong Kong Tourism Board which was great! We learned how to make Wife Cakes and Egg rolls...yummy!

Enda was a little hesitant at first but he was grateful he participated when he realized we received a free cookie and got to eat everything we baked! :)




Day 142

Today I met up with some dear old college friends. We had some amazing hot pot.

Picture: Random swimming pool picture taken in Kowloon Park.




Day 141

Another day on H.K Island. Today was their annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival which was extremely crowded and rather hard to enjoy because of it. It was an interesting experience but a little too hot and disorganized for me...

Picture: This is how we felt...



Day 140

Random picture.

We headed to H.K Island again today and had an amazing dinner but along with the dinner came an argument with the waitress....Sometimes the language barrier can be so frustrating...






Day 139

We switched today to the Garden Hostel where the dorms are cheaper ($50 HKD). It was also near the Hong Kong Skyline which is absolutely amazing.

We headed to Hong Kong Island on the Star Ferry and wanted to do some exploring but of course, the rain came... so we relaxed in Pacific Coffee Co. and watched the rain pour down while we were cozy inside.




Day 138

Talk about culture shock. Going from Calcutta to Hong Kong was extreme but we managed to adapt quickly enough. The cleanliness of the city was refreshing, the amount of foreigners was rather overwhelming, and the amount of free things to do was astounding! :) Yay!

When we first arrived we headed to Kowloon and searched for a hostel....wow...that was rather tiring. After 3 hours of numerous knocks and questions in both Chunking Mansion and Mirador Mansion, we finally found one that suited our budget and location preference.

Picture: Taken in the Fish Market



Day 137

Airplane day to Hong Kong...



Day 136

We had a long layover in Bangkok....Good thing we can keep each other entertained. We were planning on heading into the city for awhile but because of the riots and the airport tax we stayed in the airport. It was a comfy airport but of course we found the best seats as we are heading towards our gate for departure....ugh.






Day 135

There are some cities that just draw you in and make you curious. Calcutta was one of them.

My finger was always ready to snap the next picture. There was just so much to see and digest. Everything from slums on the side of the road to human rickshaws sweating in the heat to men sitting and drinking chai watching the day go by.

An intense city.

We enjoyed a wonderful hour cab ride through the city to the airport for $4 each. It was one of the rare times we "splurged" on transportation. :) Usually we walk or take a rickshaw but we were saying farewell to India and we wanted to do it in style. :) It was a bittersweet cab ride. We were excited about heading to Hong Kong but there were parts of India that were going to be missed.





Day 134

Last City in India...

We arrived in Calcutta safe and sound after the rather tight overnight bus ride. It was great sitting peacefully on the bus and watching the chaos unfold around us. Such a vibrant city. We decided to check out "Date Night" at the local movie theatre. It was Air-conditioned and was only $1.50 for a ticket, $1 cokes and $.50 popcorn. Nice. We had to stand for the National Anthem in the beginning of the movie and got to relax during the Intermission. Yes. An Intermission. :)

Picture: Random Construction work in Calucutta.