Easing into Asia: Hong Kong

Now that February's almost through, it must be time to close out January! Before we arrived in crazy Hanoi, we made our first stop in Asia, Hong Kong, which we went to both because it was pretty much our only choice from South Africa, and because our friends Elissa & Shafi Imran moved there this past Fall with their 2 kids so we wanted to catch up with them and see what life in HK was like. (You can read Elissa's account of our visit here.) 

We spent 3 nights at the Imrans, and their daughter Leah (aged nearly 3) was gracious enough to sleep in her little brother Will's room for our stay.  We were treated to 2 tasty dinners cooked by Nilda, their friendly live-in helper, and Nilda also took care of our laundry which was much in need of a good wash after Africa. We were certainly spoiled by the comforts of expats in Hong Kong!  It's a different world and although I found it a little strange at first, I can see how it would be easy to get used to having round-the-clock help.

As for the city itself, we were surprised to find it less intense than we had expected, arriving with an image of Tokyo or the like in our heads.  The traffic (both vehicle and foot) was not nearly as dense as we imagined it would be. We were able to navigate easily, and we spent a couple days walking around, checking out temples...

Tin Hau Temple, Causeway Bay

Incense burning in Man Mo Temple, Hollywood Road

... parks ...

Jason exercising at a park in Stanley, near the Imrans' house

Attempting to walk the therapeutic stone path, Victoria Park (ouch!)

 ... and markets.  

Delicacies at Wan Chai Market

Preparing for the Chinese New Year at the Flower Market

Checking out dried seafood & birds nests

As evidenced by the above picture, Leah took a fast liking to Jason and insisted on holding his hand whenever we were all out together - very cute.

We also had some good clean Asia-style fun, amusing ourselves with signpostings...

Please don't cause a nuisance

Please!

... and posing for funny pictures.

I hope everyone likes this picture half as much as I do!

We capped off our visit with a dinner out with Elissa & Shafi and 2 other college friends, Jen & Jason Beerman, who also moved to HK in 2010.  Jason B. managed to find us a great authentic Chinese dinner and thankfully written instructions on what to order, given we were the only white people around and it would have been very difficult otherwise!

Go Penn!

We were so well cared for by the Imrans it was difficult to leave; a much-needed respite after navigating our first few weeks on the road, and a comfortable place to recharge before entering the hustle & bustle of Vietnam.  A link to more pictures is at right; it's a small album and there are some other funny pix in there too!