Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Are We There Yet?

So, we finally made it to HK.  It still doesn't really feel like we're even in China.  Darren and I were so busy the last few days leading up to this trip, including the day of, that it didn't really feel like we were leaving, just that we were running a bunch of errands.  But we've made it.  The flight was okay.  There was a baby in the seat behind us.  A sweet kid (of course), who's been trying really hard to get the whole talking thing down, and who got a little upset and couldn't sleep but it wasn't so bad... and then there was the turbulance... a lot of turbulance.  For Darren, the turbulance wasn't a big deal... for myself, it was a different story.  I did okay for the most part, but it was the descent that really got me.  It was windy in Beijing... really windy, and there was a lot of stomach flipping for about a half hour.  Nonetheless, I did okay, I only got sick once... the girl across the isle from me, went through three "air sickness" bags; and, the girl somewhere behind us, started hyperventilating, then crying... and not quiet sobs, but panick stricken, uncontrollable weeping.  Ya... so despite our plan to stay awake for the three and a half hour flight from Beijing to Hong Kong, I passed out.  I did not want to be awake for any of it.  So here we are, at Tom and Rosemary's (Darren's cousins), just about to go to sleep, and it still doesn't really feel like we're in China.  I guess it's dark outside, and in Hong Kong, everything is bilingual so during the drive from the train station to here, it didn't really seem foreign.  A lot of sky scraper apartment buildings, and Asian's instead of white people in ads, but not really foreign.  Maybe tomorrow when we actually get out and about it'll feel more like China; for now, Darren has passed out from the Nyquil, and I should probably try to get some sleep, do my best to adjust.  Thanks for all the safe travel wishes and I'll keep ya posted.

11 comments:

  1. Glad to hear that you guys got in safely. I can't wait to hear all about your adventures!! Love the blog title!!

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  2. Nice to hear that you guys got in safe, Tom actually e-mail us before you phone. keep in touch love you guys.

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  3. You didn't need an "air-sickness" bag?! Wow! And tell Darren to not become addicted to Nyquil, he should try opium, you know...when in Rome! Can't wait to hear about all your adventures. Take care and stay away from "assorted meat".

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  4. Sounds like a good start to the trip. Let the craziness begin. I hear shark fin soup is real good. I like what Tanya said, when in Rome. And Auria, why is the picture of you and Darren is nowhere to be found?

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  5. Secretly she hates me!

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  6. Hello????? I keep checking back to see if there is an update but you are all travel-snobs now, I see. I get it...just 'cause you're on a 6 month trip of a life-time doesn't mean that you can forget about where you came from and the people you left behind...update already!!!! Sheesh.

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  8. I am glad I am not the only one impatient for the second instalment. Anyway I am glad Tom sent me the pictures or we won't even know if you are having fun!!! So Darren, if you have a chance you should check out my old schools Pui CHing Middle School where I attended from k - Gr.9 is in Ho Man Tin, Kowloon and St. Paul's Convent School in Causeway Bay HK.This should help you traace your intellectual roots so to speak!! Also 81 Blue Pool Rd. Happy Valley, HK. Mama's old apartment. Also try out the Star Ferry that I rode everyday to and from school. Auria did you go to the open air Midnight market yet? Good bargains there. Remember you have to bargain and don't pay mor then 25% of the asking price. Get busy with the post!!!!

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  9. It's coming!....Sheesh this is not Twitter! we thought we would see all of Hong Kong first before we made our post. Joking, I know you are all anxious to hear about our travels, there is just a lot to see and take in, no real down time. Auria is volunteering today at her friends school and I have the day to myself to explore. I'll check out your old school today Mom. Tomorrow night we are flying out to Hangzhou, a bit outside of Shanghai. Shanghai is apparently a mad house right now with the world fair and the national holiday. The plan is to spend the next week in and around that area before we take a 11hr train up to beijing around the 13th. Anyways....the post should be coming in the next day or so.
    Love you all

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  10. Hangzhou is said to be the most beautiful city of China. There is a Chinese saying : " Heaven Above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below". WestLake is well known, but I would visit The Yue Fei Temple or commonly known in Chinese as Yuewang Temple built to commemorate General Yue Fei of the 12th Century. Yue Fei symbolized loyalty of the Chinese Culture. Six Harmonies Temple and Ling Yin Temple are also supposed to be worth seeing. National Silk Museum should also be interesting.

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  11. Oh I forgot Leifeng Pagoda which has a famous Chinese folklore involving a love story of a Lady "white snake" who fell in love with a scholar and impersonate a lady. She was found out by a rightous monk who trapped her under the LeiFeng Pagoda forever.
    Also the Six Harmonies Temple is called Liuhe Pagoda.
    By the way, check out the Grand Canal, this is also a magaproject started by the same Emperor that built the Great wall. This canal linked Beijing to Hangzhou, and it is one of the manmade wonders ranked up there with the Great Wall.

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