copy watch copy handbag miss

The number of people on the streets in HK at one time is dizzying. Like Kristi said, we hit a bunch of the major markets yesterday. Last night after dinner we headed back over to the ladies market. It was probably 9 oclock by the time we got there and the streets and sidewalks were a sea of people. We came up out of the train station and it was as if it was the middle of the day because of all of the huge light billboards and advertising screens. It was very surreal but fascinating.

The guys selling fake items weren't around as much here but when we walk down the street we get harassed at every crossing. Don't worry momo, I will get you some stuff where it is more safe than to "follow" them to their stores.

We are having a blast, eating tons of wonderful food and Kristi and Jeremy are making sure that I eat something new everyday. Yesterday I had incredible pineapple fried rice with mystery topping. It seriously looked like someone had unravelled a rope and then cut up the fibres and put it on top. It tasted ok though:) I also had sesame tuna at dinner last night which was ok because I had a big glass of red wine to go with it!!!! Who knows what today will hold.

We miss everyone and wish that you could all be here to see what we are. Like Kristi says, the pictures just don't do it justice.

Love Melanie

PS We have added a flickr site so you can see more pictures.

Exploring Kowloon yesterday led us to the Jade market, the Temple street food market and the "ladies market". We ate Thai in this tiny restaurant, drinks at the Cuban bar and then dinner at a French "tapas" bar. The food at the street markets were amazing, I wanted to buy all the fresh produce just to taste everything. We found a cheap electronics place and Melanie and I bought "sticks" (flash drives for those of you who don't watch 24). They are 8 GB and about the size of a 1.5 Chiclets. We are heading to Central Hong Kong today (across the bay) and then back to some of the markets. The photo of the night market doesn't do it justice, it felt like daylight and the number of people and business of it all was dizzying but very cool. I love it here.

Hong Kong here we are!

The Hong Kong airport was incredibly big and efficient; we had our bags and were through customs in about 15 minutes! Melanie and I had our first iced latte while we waited for Jeremy to arrive. We then figured out that we needed a "blue" taxi to get to our first hotel. We were staying on Lantau (where the airport is) so that we could explore the island the next day. We had a crazy roller coaster ride across the island and through what looks like a national park (Melanie had her "Disneyland" ride and was quite green by the time we got there). Our hotel (picture) ended up being in a very quiet sort of village right on the water. It has felt strange to essentially lose a day in our travels and I keep forgetting it is Thursday already.

We bought Octopus cards (good for transit, ferry etc) and took a 30 min bus ride across the island to see the Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery and take a ride on the new Ngong Ping 360 sky tram. The Big Buddha was well, Big, but set in the misty hills it was beautiful. We ate at the monastery and Melanie tried everything mushrooms, hot sauce, Bean curd dessert and all. We then headed off to the brand new tram that traverses the island (www.np360.com.hk) our pictures didn't do it justice as it was pretty foggy.

The Airport Lounge

We are on our way!  Edmonton gave us a shit load of snow to show us off!  Thanks to Kevin and Lori we are sitting in the Air Canada lounge sipping rum and coke at the moment and setting up our blog for our travels.  First off to Hong Kong where we meet Jeremy and hang out (read shop) for a few days before heading to Ho Chi Minh.   K

Local woman only takes three pairs of shoes on three week trip.......

Can you believe it! In the spirit of bring home more than you take, I have successfully packed as little as possible in order to bring home everything I see. Kristi and I are currently drinking ourselves into a stuper so that we sleep through the 14 hour flight. Cheers to you guys digging yourselves out of the snow!!!! Will post more once we arrive in HK.