…and Away We Go!

We enjoyed our stay in Hong King but have a list of things we didn’t get to this trip. Here’s what we’ll save for next time:

• Eat an egg tart.
• Ride the tall escalator.
• Hike Dragon’s Back to Shek O.
• Ferry to Lamma Island.

The Hong Kong Airport is sleek and we easily made it in time for our Air Asia flight, direct to Chang Mai.

This is our third time in Chiang Mai and we’d forgotten how gritty and chaotic it feels initially.

Once we settle in, we remember why we like it here so much. Our hotel is near Wat Ket Temple so it’s pleasant to walk through the complex each time we venture out.

I found a yoga studio that I like about 15 minutes away and I went to a great class this morning. I hope to attend a every day or so. Classes cost 250 Thai Baht or about $8.00 US.

Night time in Chiang Mai is very colorful. The temples are lighted and lovely!

We’ve been to the grocery store for water and snacks, dropped off laundry, and now Larry is on his way for a haircut. We’re settling in!

It’s our final full day here. The weather is cooler and the air quality improved. A wrong way bus trip and a kind local who got us back on track took us to Aberdeen Harbor. The small harbor is busy with fishing boats and fun to see–a serendipitous stop.

The correct bus took us to our intended destination Stanley. We expected a sleepy fishing village but found an upscale shopping area instead. Still interesting and good to see another area of Hong Kong Island. We visited Tin Hau Temple, one of the oldest in Hong Kong.

Along the way, we walked through local markets and admired the many greens available!

A bus took us back to Central Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is very organized. We are impressed by how everyone lines up systematically to board the bus or train. Markings on the floor show the way.

Nighttime is especially colorful! Scenes like this are around every corner!

We are happy to have visited this vibrant city! Early Wednesday, we’ll head for the airport to make our way to our next stop–Chiang Mai, Thailand!

Today the view of the buildings is obstructed by smog. Locals say that it’s worse than they have seen in awhile and the air quality is rated “very unhealthy.”

In search of clearer skies and a little enlightenment, we headed for Lantau Island to see The Big Buddha. It took two ferries and a winding-road bus ride but we arrived at the peak early in the afternoon. Cows wander around the site but seem harmless–mostly looking for handouts.

The stair-climb to see the Buddha is quite steep.

After we walked around the complex, we purchased a ticket for a 4 mile-long cable car down the mountain. A view of the Big Buddha from our cable car, shows the quality of the air. It was suggested that it’s possibly due to the wind direction bringing pollution from mainland China as production is increased in advance of Chinese New Year.

We hope for cleaner air and clearer skies tomorrow!

But for now, dim sum for dinner and a beer are a good ending to an interesting day! Cheers!

We are impressed by how easy it is to get around Hong Kong and by how much there is to see and do. We took the metro from our hotel in Kowloon to Hong Kong Island in about 20 minutes. We walked to the Ferry Terminal for a view of the harbor.

Then we walked through one of the upscale shopping centers to check out the latest fashions.

Quite a contrast as our next stop was the Hollywood neighborhood to see the Man Ho Temple. Busy on a Saturday and smoky inside with candles and sandalwood incense. Many were leaving offerings paying tribute to the God of Literature and the God of War.

Time for lunch at a traditional Dai Pai Dong–open air food stall made of iron sheets surrounded by foldable tables and stools.

We waited in a long line to get a seat at the table here. Larry is enjoying a bowl of their signature tomato noodle soup and a crispy bun dripping with butter, lemon, and honey!

The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware was unique and fun to see a collection of tea ware.

Finally time to relax in one of the many parks. This is Hong Kong City Park.

So far, we’re having a great time and already wishing we had planned for a few more days in Hong Kong!

We arrived safely in Hong Kong Friday evening after 24 hours of travel. The Hong Kong Airport is easy to navigate so we quickly went through Immigration, found an ATM for Hong Kong cash, and purchased our Octopus Card for the public transportation system. Double Decker Bus #22 took us to a stop near our hotel.

We are staying in Kowloon at Hotel Stage. The room is cozy and comfy.

We slept well last night and after a great breakfast at the hotel (see photo of hotel breakfast bar below) we are excited and ready for a day of exploring!

We’re leaving the snow and ice behind and heading for Asia! This the scene in our backyard the day before our departure!

Our plan is to dress in multiple layers as we walk to our nearby MARTA station in 19 degree temps at 5 a.m. Marching onward to warmer weather!

The itinerary for this trip is pretty simple!  Just four destinations:

• Hong Kong-5 nights.
• Chiang Mai, Thailand–13 nights.
• Chiang Rai, Thailand–5 nights.
• Bangkok, Thailand–2 nights.

It’s a mix of favorite spots (especially Chiang Mai) and new places (Hong Kong and Chiang Rai.)  This map of Thailand from the Lonely Planet website shows the location of major cities.  Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are in the north, and Bangkok is a one hour and 15 minute plane ride south from Chiang Rai.  For this itinerary, we’ll use a combination of plane and bus trips.

We’ll be staying in the Kowloon section of Hong Kong. If all goes as planned, we’ll arrive in Hong Kong at 8:15 p.m. (Hong Kong time), Friday, January 19.  It will be 9:15 a.m. in the Eastern Time Zone.  We’ll return via Seoul, South Korea on February 13.

We look forward to our first time in Hong Kong and our first experience with Dim Sum!

In Thailand, we hope for:

delicious food,

perhaps a cooking class,

and learning more about these Asian cultures!