Tours, Tours, Tours

Try saying that 5 times fast, well the title sums up the last two days and tomorrow.

Today was orientation, that's right I actually am taking classes in Hong Kong. Picked up a double entry visa today for mainland...note to future Hong Kong students don't be lazy like me go to the Consulate in the U.S., so you can get a multi-entry visa. Exciting news, I bought a pair of sweet "football" cleats (also known as soccer in the states) at Harbor City. The number of malls in Hong Kong is unbelievable and yet there's only one notable sports store, quiet different from the U.S.


Why repeat what's already been said before. These are basically summaries of Wednesday and Thursday's Tours. If you want the the details that only the experience can give you see below.
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Tour: Lantau Island Day Tour
"Travel back to the times when fishermen roamed the waterways in this part of Hong Kong. Experience the sights and smells of Tai O, a relatively untouched fishing village set amidst the mountains. You may even spot the rare Chinese white dolphins as you explore the area. Thereafter, experience Chinese Buddhist traditions while feasting on vegetarian cuisine served in a temple. You will also see the world's largest sitting bronze Buddha, and glide across the scenic Tung Chung Bay to Ngong Ping Plateau on a cable car."

Tour: Hong Kong's Urban Chinese Heritage
"Explore the architectural heritage of Hong Kong's Chinese side. Gain unique perspectives into our Chinese culture and values (Wong Tai Sin and Chi Lin Buddhist Nunnery ). Then, learn about an interesting chapter of the city's history at the Kowloon Walled City Park, once a lawless slum that was considered off-limits to both the Chinese and British governments. Finally, recollect these stories over a sumptuous seafood dinner."
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Both tours were all about getting away from the skyscrapers and city life, and more about the scenic/religious areas. Our lunch at Lantau consisted of jello looking tofu, meatloaf looking tofu, orange chicken looking tofu, fish looking tofu- bottom line tofu, vegetables, and delicious pineapple. The fishing village was very run down and sold "red" drink which only the tour guides drank because they warned that foreigners may not be adjusted enough to this drink made from herbs and served out of unsealed bottles... supposed to be good for the throat, maybe next time. Some of us were lucky enough to see the endangered white dolphins that look more like cotton candy; however, taking pictures of them just wasn't going to happen on this rocky fishing boat.

Tour number two had some interesting stops, the walled in city from the looks of it was a slum with terrible living conditions similar to cities during the Industrial Revolution. At the Taoist Temple I burned incense sticks, knelt inside the temple, shook fortune sticks until one of the hundreds of fortune sticks fell out, and then based on the number had my fortune read. Fortune (which is good for one year and then I have to go back) in broken English he said my family will have happiness, i will find profit in business, go hiking, spring will be full of color, sing, dance, and enjoy life.

dinner- shrimp with heads (be careful shrimp brains can get messy), crab, pork w/ onions green peppers and pineapple, scallops, fried rice, beef vegetable soup, fish, squid, bacchoi, orange slices. Fresh seafood = deliciousness

Finished with the Symphony of Lights, and there was a reason I fell asleep the first time: it's a bit overrated. Tomorrow, another tour with my buddy Carol to Stanley Market and Victoria Peak. Sounds like fun, hope so.



Random Quote: "FISHING IS JUST ONE JERK ON THE END OF A LINE WAITING FOR A JERK AT THE OTHER."