So we finally had another vacation from school and Justine and I decided to go to Hong Kong. Once word got out we had three others join us: Kelley, Joe and Shawna. So we went to Hong Kong for 5 days which was really like 3.5 days! We did manage to get a lot done and had a great time doing it.
Here is flying into Hong Kong!
On the bus to our hostel!
We arrived onNew Years Eve so we went to the hostel right away and got ready for the night. While we were walking around we saw this huge shiny pig and I just had to have a picture!!
After wandering around for a long time and no one deciding on what to do, Justine and I broke free. I really wanted to go to Victoria Harbor and see the fireworks to ring in the new year. Justine and I picked up a sandwich and made our way to the harbor really early to see if we could get a good spot. Behind us here is the Peninsula Hotel which is a REALLY pricey place but very pretty!
They were selling many light up things and I wanted something so we got bunny ears! Helped so we could find each other if we got separated!
The clock tower at Victoria Harbor!
Loving the ears too!
Beautiful Peninsula Hotel!!
So we did make it to the harbor early and we found a spot to sit down. Turns out where we were is right where they had all the celebrities come and make their way to the top level right over us. We were just sitting all comfertable and then all of a sudden everyone around us stands up and pushes over to see who is coming in! I obviously didn't recognize anyone and that's even if I did see them; which I didn't see many!
I think this was one of the famous people!!
The countdown begins. We actually had to sit there for about 2.5 hours but it did pass and we were there for the countdown but not a good view of the fireworks. I had no idea where the fireworks would be because there were people everywhere and they ended p being where I didn't have the best view but it was still fun and quite an experience. I always wanted to have a New Years internationally and I did!!
After the countdown was done and everyone wanted to go home it was a crazy trip getting out and back to the hostel! It took us about an hour to walk what should have been like 10 minutes. It was packed full people and we felt like sardines but all in the experience!!
One more view of The Peninsula!!
Begin the next day! Out hostel was in this very tall building and the office is on the 14th floor and out room was on the 10th. In Hong Kong all buildings are super tall and squished to fit everywhere. So it is very common that each building has tiny elevators and there is always a line to get in them and get to your floor. A little annoying but not too bad!
Our first full day we made our way to this cable car ride that takes you to a huge Buddha on a mountain. On the way we passed the subway stop that takes you to Disneyland Hong Kong and this is the train to Disneyland! So cute. If I had more time in Hong Kong I would have gone!
A view of the subway. Smaller than Seoul but you can see the whole length of the train!
Another super tall building!!
So we went to Ngong Ping Cable car and Shawna had told us to reserve tickets on-line before hand. So I did and it turns out it was a HUGE time saver. We got to the line and before you even got up the escalator it was an hour wait. We got to walk right past and go up.
Then once up there was a special lane we got to go in and we walked past TONS of people. We all felt like VIPs and it was awesome. We passed about another hour to hour and a half wait. All this just to get to the ticket booth.
After walking forever we got our tickets and made it to the car!
Yeah!! Time to get on! Very cool gondolas and it was about a 20-25 min ride with amazing views! We had a car with the 4 of us and another group of 4. It was a group of 4 Filipino girls and they were crazy!!
Awesome views!!
Here we are!
We had a great view of the airport!
On the top they had many opportunities to take some random, but cute pictures!!
Who wouldn't want to sit and pose around a cow?!?!
Random snow people!
Dogs everywhere!! Loved it!
More random pics!
Pretty much impossible to get these 2 to do a serious picture but they were pretty cute all the time!!
On the way up to the Buddha there was a circle of flags and made for some pretty pictures. I think I look pretty good here but then that dang kid had to fall and looks like some lost kid is running around all alone. He wasn't!!
And the stairs to the top! Quite a hike but not too bad!
Made it and it was beautiful! Helped that we had an amazing day! Warm, sunny and just perfect. A nice change from freezing Korea!!
Cool statues!
Headed down!
Temple at the top!
A lady told us to buy these tickets to get into the Buddha and then it would get us this free dessert. So we did and the tickets got us a whole free meal!! It was from a vegetarian place but really good!!
Function on my camera! Weird and cool at the same time!
Again, dogs everywhere. I had to really make sure this one was alive!
They set up this small area with "snow" but it was more like foam falling from the machine!!
We then met up with Shawna and went to find a place for dinner. We stayed on the other side of Victoria Harbor and found these streets that were decorated and some good places to eat. We found a good Chinese place but it ended up probably being over an hour wait. We went to a bar in the mean time and hung out waiting for our call at the other restaurant!
Street name
The bar we waited at. Ate some peanuts, had a some drinks and we were so hungry we ordered one appetizer!
Headed into the IFC Mall building to find a view of the harbor!
Big mall!
View form the other side. I was on the far side for the fireworks!
We took the ferry back to the Kowloon side and we found this tissue vending machine!!
View of the side we just came from. So beautiful and so many colors!!
Great Christmas displays!
Day 2 we decided to go to Macau for the day. They have jet boats that will take you and it took about an hour. It was more of a big deal to get over there that we thought. Customs and all but we made it and had a great day!!
Getting on the boat!
Once we made it to the other side, Joe and Kelley got through before us so Joe was nice enough make a sign and meet us! Our tour guide for the day but he knew pretty much nothing!
Once off the ferry we decided to get a tour. We found this guy who drove us around to all these different places. Macau is pretty much the Vegas of Asia and it really was!
Then we made our way to a Chinese goddess designed by a Filipino woman. Very pretty!
Hong Kong tower!
Still want this car; Lamborghini!! Really felt like Vegas seeing this nice car!
Onto a temple!
They had a very interesting way of telling people the rules!! Here is pick up after your dog!
Kids and Justine love clean toilets!
Dos and don'ts
New casino: Grand Lisbon!
St. Paul's Church
Beautiful church but onyl one wall is left. The rest was burned down in a fire!
Justine and out tour guide became BFF's!! He was super amazed she could speak Cantonese with him!
Our last stop was The Venetian! At first I thought it had nothing on the real Venetian but it was just as big and had some of the same expensive stores.
Taking a break from our long, long day!
Such a model
Umbrella vending machine!
Dinner at the Temple Street market.
Day 3
Last day walking through the ladies market before it officially opened! We were on our way to a really famous dim sum place.
Street Market!
At this restaurant it was a 2.5 hour wait to sit but only 30 minutes for take out! We did take out and took them to a park and ate outside! It was all quite good!
While waiting for the dim sum we wandered around and found these extremely cute dogs. A poodle, a bichon and 2 schnauzers. The poodle was super friendly and I really wanted to take him home!
Justine got in on the dog action!
We finally got our dim sum and had a little picnic in a park near by. This is all the food we got!
Funny pic of my food and Shawna taking a pic of herself!
Streets of Hong Kong!
On the bus to monkey mountain! All the buses are double deckers and here we are on the top in the front! I loved sitting in the front but we are on the wrong bus and once we changed I lost the front seats!
Of course they had to have a Hello Kitty bus!
Finally at monkey mountain! I had no idea what to expect here, like maybe a few monkeys but there were a ton and all over the place!!
I still can't get over how in so many ways there are just like humans! The eyes especially!
They love cleaning each other and the one being cleaned is so relaxed and loving it!
They were actually quite scary and we were to afraid to get too close.
Babies! So many babies were around!
Love this guy just chilling on the bridge!
Cute group photo!!
Lunch time!!
Nap time!!
Back to the ladies market for a little more shopping!
So on our last night we went back to the Harbor to see the light show they have every night!! I didn't know what to expect again but it turns out they get the buildings on the other side to change lights and have some on top that all move in sync with some music!! It was entertaining!
Our flight home left at 7:30 am but you are supposed to be there like 3 hours early and to get to the airport. So we woke up at 3am and left by 3:30. Once we got to the airport at 4:15 and the dang place didn't open until 5:30! Well we made it and here is the view coming back into FREEZING Korea! Snow everywhere!!
This trip was really fun and turned out way better that I thought it would! We had a lot of fun and saw a lot of things. I really loved Hong Kong and would love to go back someday!
