Intro:

Trip to Hong Kong and China with auntie and uncle, how can I refuse? It was pain in the butt to schedule a vacation package. I finally settled on Just Holiday, an Asian based travel agency in San Francisco. Not knowing too much Cantonese terminology, I was struggling for words like Tokyo and package summary of the deal. Because of the 2 weeks notice, I was only able to score a package with United and Metropole hotel. Oh and let me mention about the China consulate, it took me three trips up there. I need to see if I am eligible for a HK citizen card. I wanted to fly out using Cathay Pacific but there flights were completely booked. $700 for the RT tickets and addition $300 for the 5 night stay at the hotel. I'd figure I didn't really need a luxurious hotel to stay in since I'll be mostly out siteseeing. But I didn't realize that Metropole hotel is where SARS erupted!

Flight:

It was an afternoon flight. I got stuck in the window seat which I dislike very much!! I sat next to two Japanese people which didn't speak to me. I was dying to talk to someone and then there was this kid that kept kicking my seat. I turned around and told the his mom to stop kicking. The flight itself was horrible. Turbulence in the air for 45 minutes before landing in Narita. I vomitted three times, using three puke bags. Waiting in line for international connecting flights was also tiring as I was completely jetlagged and not knowing what time zone I'm in. I love international travelling though. I love meeting new people from around the world. It's a thrilling feeling because they are so intriguing that I just want to work internationally.

Flight from SFO to Narita: ~13 hours
Flight from Narita to HKG: ~4 hours

Hong Kong:

Lawrence picked me up and we took the double decker back to Tai Koo Sing. Virginia met up with me at the train station and we saw each other briefly as she had to head back to Dong Guan in the morning and I had to sleep since it was around 1am. In the morning, we met up with auntie and uncle along with Anthony to have dim sum. We walked around the area and then we were off to Times Square and Causeaway bay for some shopping and eating. We headed to Wong dai seen stop and I went to a soothsayer. He gave me my fortune and I got a upper (jong shang stick) stick. He was very broad with the prediction of my future. That was 500 HKG for 20 minutes. We did a bunch of walking around (I don't even recall what we had for dinner that night!), took the double decker again and I think we ate at a noodle shop that evening. I bought a watch along with other things which I don't remember now.

The next morning, Anthony and Lawrence took me to eat Jook in Hung Home and drove me to the Ferry terminal where I'll be going Chong San. Nagging behaviors do not favor me at all. I took a pill before we boarded just in case I got seasick. We got the tickets for CKS Ferry tickets Dept Time: 1/18/05 13:00 From : KLN ( China Hong Kong Ferry ) To: Zhong Shan ( Zhong Shan port) No. of Passenger : 3 adults Class/Rate: VIP Class @pr HK$224 (one way only). The ride itself was 1 1/2 hours long. 2 hours later and after immigration, Tony picked us up at the port stop. I was beginning to be more wary of my purse and passport.

Zhong San, China:
We stayed here for 4 days, 3 nights and stayed at the beautiful Shangri-La hotel. in Zhong San. Ate at a rural fish village the first night upon arrival. Met some biotech researcher guys from C.A. Life Biotech. Later on the night, I went to my first foot massage parlor. I got #29, a guy foot masseuse. We got a selection of lavender, herbal or just plain water to soak our feet in. Followed by back, hip, shoulder, hand, head massage. It was decadent kind of a feeling =p for 2 hours. I think it came to 30 dollars total for all three of us for 2 hours.

The next day was breakfast at the hotel followed by a health spa treatment with Vichy products. I got the detox package. Normally, it is ~$250 plus more at the states but it was only 1000 RMB which is about 100 dollars. I think I can spend lavishly on spa packages from now on. I love them so much and it's even better when they hit all the right spots and loosen up all the knots. We had dim sum at a really nice restaurant again and went shopping at this plaza. The style of clothing does not fit my taste so I didn't buy much except for food. At night, we had dinner again (it's all about eating on this trip!!!) and followed by a visit to the constructioning zone of the new restauranteur.

We progressed to more eating and more browsing around the city with a car of course. We didn't think it was safe to be taking public transporation but we had a driver so there goes walking out on my own! We got our hair washed and cut at Zen. The total for me came to $10 dollars for a wash, cut, dry, and massage of the body.

We went to Guzhen which is famous for it's lamp and grandiose chandeliers. We went to Huang's Lighting Ltd. owned my Ms. Lin who is connected to Tony. Then she took us with her cute blue VW polo car for snail porridge dai pa dong style. We looked at some "Lai see" meaning thread/silk lamps and "chandelier" colored stone lamps with swarowski crystals. All the craftsmanship were quality produced and almost a fraction of what you normally have to pay in the states. We went to this VIP bar/lounge place at night. It's like a Chong San, Lan Kwai Fong but I thought the people in there were too fobby for me. Heh. It was called Club Will which is really posh inside but the bathrooms were squaters! Haha.

We had more dinner with the Ho's and Choi's the following night. They've taken us to these extravagant restaurants which you dont normally find here in the states. Koi palace or Grand Century is considered to be nice but these restaurants we saw were ten times nicer and a lot more grand. We had dinner with some of the head staff of the new restaurant that will be opening up. The general manager while eating caught a roach stuck in between the skin and meat portion! Ew.

We left the following day but without another cheap drink at the hotel. They didn't have my blue martini! I had some Chilean red wine instead and listened to this band sing romantic songs for the night.

Next morning, we had dim sum again at a high ceiling restaurant. At first we thought it was one of those government bulidings because it has a star marking in the front but it turns out to be something luxurious like entering in the white house. We had dimsum and then we hired a car service from the hotel to drive us to Guong Zhou.

Guong Zhou, China
: It was more chaotic as we entered the city. There were people walking in the middle of the highway to catch a taxi or bikes riding in the fast lane of the hwy where cars drove. It was a lot more busy than in Chong San. We finally arrived at the Garden Hotel.

This hotel front panel is beautiful with black and gold laquered walled of chinese themed mural of sorts. We stayed on the remodeled 6th floor. I heard they remodeled it since the last time my sister was there which was alsot 6 months ago. We went to Natural Element for a facial and fake eye lash extensions!! Fake Eyelash Extension: $200 RMB. Facial was only $100 RMB i think. Wow, I liked my FEEs but it only last for 1 month.

We met up with Ray and basically ate a lot with him the following three days. We had tea eggs and the Guong Dong food agreeded more with my palate. We went to Seen Music studio and learned how music and commerical edits were made. It was kind of neat to witness it all.

The following day we met up with my mom's grandmother's older brother and his family. His family is huge just like on my mom's family with 5 children. I finally met some cousins of my own. We had dinner in "Lam Hoe" city but we did not go all the way to Fut San to visit Tai Po.

I asked Corin to stay with me that night back at the hotel. We chatted the night away and than we had lunch together and exchanged emails. I hope to keep in touch with her. We went tea supply and tea shopping. We went to this cheap warehouse wholesale plaza to find really souveniors. I cannot believe Guang Zhou is not only the capital of gourmet in China but also a bustling place for exports of plastics, toys, and clothing.

Weather. Oh I have to talk about the weather. It was mild for me and it was comfortable. The air and the sky was not too fresh smelling but the temperature seeked my attention. Reminder to self to go to China over the winter/fall and never the summer time when it is hot and humid.

We had another car service drive us up to Guang Zhou Train terminal. Express train tickets Dept Time: 1/24/05 14:53 (T803) From : Guangzhou East train station To: Hong Kong Railway station Class/Rate: Super first Class @pr HK$230 (one way only). Luckily we did not get caught up in being mugged at the main station entrance. We were all in the second platform to bypass the crazy pickpocketers.

Hong Kong

Back in HK. I stayed at the Metropole Hotel which was the SARS hotel. Ew. A lot of Cauasian tourists at this hotel but I think I want to stay in Tsim Tsai Tsui next time at Miramar. I think I was happy to be back in modern civilization. As much as I liked seeing China, there was just something ethnic missing. I think it must of been the modern civilization. It's hard to explain. THe next few days included shopping. Going up to the peak on the tram because I've never been up there. Hiking. Eating and meeting up with college and new friends I've met. Kay kay and Jenny/Hoey. Shopping at A + ba or ab. I bought a pretty pink skirt, two trench coats, camel and mink color. A crocadile watch and we went to Ocean terminal and somewhere near the universities to shop. We went to Chow San San and I got a make over at the Sheseido and Shu counters. I finally ate at Cafe de Coral. Hot pot with Rebeccca, Choi and Ivan. I ddin't have time to see Anthony or Lawrence. These days went by real fast. A real blur. Omg, it's been two weeks since I've been home and I've been lacking on these updates. I hope not to forget so I'm just haphazardly typing whatever I can remember. Ekk.

Expensive internet connections at 30 HKG for 15 or 30 minutes. More shopping for junk at Woman's market by myself at night. I can shop better by myself. Somtimes. Went to this new shopping plaza in Mong Kwok.

Dinner with Uncle Philips family and met the cutest 6 years old kid, Lo Dan. Such a cutie and talks so much. I hope to see him again. Then it was packing night. I didn't go to any clubs. Not really my scene but it would of been nice to see it. Went to Lan Kwai Fong though and liked it!!!

Trip back home:

5am wake up. 7am shuttle arrives. At airport by 730am. Check in. Tried to use up all my HKG money at the airport. Hee.

Narita flight: Aisle. Yeah!

Narita to SFO: Stupid window seat AGAIN. No barfing this time. I spent so much time in Narita that I ended up wasting $30 to buy a Time magazine, Elle Magazine and a US weekly. Shit! I didn't care that moment but I do now. Ugh.

Okay back in SF in the AM and I love the fresh clean crispy air.

Bye, until next time!

Pictures all, 500 of them on Imagestation. Email me to request link.