Market Day in Hong Kong

Our last full day together before most of the group headed home.

Auntie May ended up in the hospital overnight but Sabrina sent us out on our planned itinerary for the day.

So we spent the day visiting the Kowloon Markets while worrying about Auntie May's condition.

Our first stop was the Kowloon shoreline once again.

Then it was off to the Jade Market.

Needless to say, purchases were made.

Not all Jade of course, we bought a Mah-Jong set.

Then after lunch at an authentic Won Ton place, if there is such a thing in Hong Kong, we strolled and shopped on Lady's Street. Don't' know why it received that particular label but it's a typical tourist oriented market with all the same items tourists are looking for.

There is actually a Men's Street Market as well where the same general items are for sale. Only it's a much smaller market.

Next up, Goldfish Street Market.

Even if you're not into raising tropical fish, and you should be if you have any Chinese blood in you, you'll be amused on Goldfish Street. All the poor little fish are displayed for sale in small plastic bags hanging on a rack.

The variety is enormous, not to mention colorful.

Then a stroll through the Flower Market on our way to our final stop. The Bird Market.

Lindsay stopping for a quick drink.

Needless to say, Dina bought bird cages.

All in all, it was a busy day of strolling the markets.

Most of our group went home late the next day. The morning and afternoon spent visiting the Bird Sanctuary and The Big Buddha on Lantau Island.

Faye, Sylvia, and Sabrina delayed their trip back by a week. They're all safely home as I make this posting.

Alan and I spent a few more days in Hong Kong recovering from our incredible trip through China and Hong Kong with the group.

Hong Kong at last

We're back in Hong Kong after the exhausting trip through China and Macau.

Our first night in Hong Kong and we all end up at Royal Wedding for dinner.

Our first full day in Hong Kong. First stop, the Buddist Temple.

We're joined by Sabrina's Uncle and Aunt.

Repulse Bay

Lunch at Stanley Park.

Lindsay, Dad, and Faye's cousin Ping.

Views from Victoria Peak.

And the mascots for the East Asian Games.

Happy Thanksgiving from Bangkok

Happy Thanksgiving from Bangkok everyone.
We had no turkey, certainly no stuffing, not even a slice of pumpkin pie.
We had tofu instead.
Maybe someone will post some real thanksgiving pictures.

We spent our afternoon at the Paragon Mall and desperate to see a movie. The choices were New Moon, 2012, or A Christmas Carol in 3-D. We chose (regretfully) New Moon. It turns out, as expected, a movie we can highly recommend... that you skip.
A vegetarian vampire, werewolves, and a very confused protagonist. Why doesn't someone turn her into a vampire already. Who comes up with this stuff?

We're finally getting some work done. Or at least catching up on things.

The rooms have been re-done in the hotel; new stone floors, sconces, fresh paint, but the same drab furniture. I guess we can't complain much at $30 a night.

The view out our "need to be cleaned" window.

Zhuhai to Macau

After leaving Tai Shan, we went to Zhuhai, a city on the Chinese side, right across the border from Macau (The Las Vegas of southern China).

We had dinner at the Sands casino then took a shuttle to the Wynn to see the "Golden Tree".

Hotels in Zhuhai are about a third to half of what they are across the border in Macau.
We made the border crossing into Macau the two days we stayed in Zhuhai.

It involved numerous forms, for which we are thankful to Sabrina for having filled most of them out. Customs forms, Immigration forms, Health forms. We needed a set for each direction we traveled, on each of the two days. That's a lot of forms.

We did find a place to get the famous Portuguese Pork Sandwiches, and Custard Tarts.

Our last job in Macau was shopping for cookies.

Probably the main sight in Macau is the facade of the old cathedral.

Capping off our stay in Macau, we went to a local restaurant recommended by our bus driver.

Not sure if he got a commission for bringing us there but the food was good and not that expensive.