Love Letter to Hong Kong

sidenote: If any of my many, many readers know any bankers in Hong Kong that want to marry me, bring me there, and give me money for dresses, please let me know.

The last week in July was our summer vacation. I ad an exciting, jammed packed week. My first day of vacation, I went to a Botero exhibit, here in Korea, which was excellent. For what I've seen in Korea, it was pretty extensive and impressive. I loved it. Then, I went to HONG KONG!!! I only spent a few days there but my impressions came quickly. I LOVE HONG KONG! As soon as sunset on my first night there, I was wishing that I were moving there rather than visiting.

Hong Kong by day is a wonderful enough place. If I thought I were going to any sort of heaven, I would assume it would be similar to the H&M in Central Hong Kong (thats right, I had to specify because they have MORE THAN 1 H&M!!!). The abundance of western foods and items (and fashions!) and the use of the English language were exciting, particularly coming from Korea, where they mostly seem to have embraced the western stuff I dont care about or like (WHY would you put sugar on garlic bread?!?!?). I felt a little overwhelmed and didnt end up buying that much. My goal of 7 dresses was not met but that just means that I have to go back. Soon. Most of my days were spent roaming the Central and Wan Chai areas, popping into shops and looking at everything. I heard British accents from Chinese people. I enjoyed the old street markets as well as the modern, contained markets and department stores. I used red phone booths. I rode in red taxicabs. I took (red) pictures.

One day, though, I went to the island of Lamma and it is why I think Hong Kong is perfect. Hong Kong is a city. There is public transportation, there are lots of people, places to go and things to do. It is busy and active and lights. But a short ferry ride brings you to Lamma, a lush, green, beautiful island with huts and hiking and beaches and banana trees. This is what they mean by the best of both worlds. Not far from that wonderful city was this wonderful island. My day on Lamma was perfect (despite the "Family Trail" which was actually a mountain that Lonely Planet tricked me into climbing- I probably would have done it anyway but Lonely Planet is the liar).

Night is Hong Kong is amazing. All of the buildings light up. And its not just lights so you can see them. They are A LIGHT SHOW. I also went on the Victoria Peak Tram one night and got a great night view of the city. Hong Kong is FANTASTIC!!!

Okay... I have about a billion photos I want to share so I started uploading them but I think I am going to try to make a slideshow or something and I will edit this post and add it in later.