tour!

So days one and two of orientation were a bore..but day 3 was interesting (albeit incredibly touristy and disingenuous). we took a tour of Hong Kong and here were our stops:

The Wong Tai Sin Temple, popular because the deity that inhabits it can grant wishes (usually concerning money). It was crowded-filled with tourist, but beautiful anyway.

Next stop was the Jade Market. This was for sure my least favorite part of the trip. The market was full of silly trinkets (none of which were actually Jade proper) and pushy shop owners. I don't recommend planning to spend much time there.

Then there came Victoria Peak. We were smashed into a tour bus that smelt of cigarettes and had already been driving in stop-go city traffic for two hours when we arrived at the base of this mountain. What followed was the most nauseating 30 minute drive up windy mountain roads to the top. I near died, I think. Anyway, once we were at the top we were treated with a beautiful view of the city below. We went mid-morning but it's supposed to be gorgeous at night.

By the time we got down the mountain I was about done with all means of transportation. The only thing that makes me ill faster than a car is a boat. So of course, we headed over to Aberdeen to have a dim sum lunch on the Jumbo-a floating restaurant accessible only by boat. Consequently, photos of this part of the trip are a bit scarce.

After a yummy dim sum (with bbq pork buns, fish balls, spring rolls, etc.) we headed out to Repulse Bay. It is the most popular beach in Hong Kong and is named for an old British ship once stationed there to keep out pirates. The buildings which surround the beach are curved and designed in a way that allows the dragon that inhabits the mountains behind it to drink from the bay. I love ocean (and South China Sea)!

Last was Stanley Market, which is a market full of shops selling souvenirs, clothing, art, etc. Just outside of the market I found a beautiful rock-lined bay which made the trip out there much more worthwhile.

more updates coming!