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August 28, 2009 • Technology • Comments
Focusing on improved speed and reliability, Snow Leopard is bursting at the seams with tweaks, changes, and improvements that are essential for any Apple nerd. Priced at $29.99 you know what I’ll be doing this weekend, UPGRADE!
As I sat in the airport waiting for our flight back home I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad. Never had I visited a city that felt as alive as NYC, till now. Hong Kong, in some regards eclipsed NYC.
Shopping
Amanda and I decided to spend the day sightseeing and shopping in downtown Hong Kong. One thing became abundantly clear, the Chinese love shopping. They actually put American consumerism to shame.
Rooftop Pool
After a long day of walking we hit the rooftop pool and enjoyed the great view and amazing weather.
A Symphony of Lights
One of the best ways to experience this nightly occurrence is via ferry. Sadly, I made us jump on the wrong ferry which left us stranded in the middle of nowhere. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem but the humidity and dress clothes we wore made it intolerable.
Maybe I’ll get to see this show next time I’m in Hong Kong.
Chungking Mansions
After dinner we decided to walk around the Yau Tsim Mong District when suddenly I knew where we were. Having never visited Hong Kong it was odd. Frantically my eyes darted around trying to make sense of it all. When suddenly there I was, standing across the street from Chungking Mansions.
Made famous in Wong Kar-wai’s 1994 film, Chungking Express. I’ve dreamt of one day experiencing the most culturally diverse location in Hong Kong for myself.
Man Mo Temple
One of the oldest temples in Hong Kong. Man Mo Temple is beautifully haunting.
Victoria Peak
Took the tram up to Victoria Peak where we found an amazing view of Hong Kong and a shopping center.
Aberdeen Harbour
Took a sampan out to the fisherman village and saw how the “boat people” live. A truly remarkable experience.
Stanley Market
An open air shopping center where you haggle over chachkes.
MTR – Rapid Transit Railway
We decided to break away from the tour group and explore Hong Kong on our own. This meant taking the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) which can only be described as CLEAN.
The Central-Mid-levels Escalator
The Chinese have discovered that escalators are essential when living on a mountain.
Lan Kwai Fong
Craving a taste of Hong Kong nightlife we headed to Lan Kwai Fong. Long story short, it is good to be from NY and half Asian looking in Hong Kong.
Red Light District
We accidentally ended up partying into the wee hours of the morning surrounded by prostitutes. Thanks Amanda!
Breakfast Buffet – End Game
Not enough evidence to confirm my suspicions, Amanda wins this round.
Beginning to hatch plan for sneaking bacon on board our flight back to Hong Kong. Afraid of having Midnight Express moment (think bacon taped to my chest).
Poolside
Spent the rest of my day laying in the pool cooking my baby flesh.
Airport Massage
Spent the hour before our flight getting a $15 dollar hour long massage.
HKT>HKG
Taking off in the middle of a rain storm is never a good idea. Seems pilots in Asia have a death wish.
Hong Kong, China – Harbour Plaza Hotel
Your standard five star luxury hotel. Click here for more details.
Breakfast Buffet
Amanda is looking thinner. Suspicions of her being the source of this delectable bacon grow stronger. Need more time to confirm.
Off the Resort
Decided to venture off the resort and explore Phuket. We wandered aimlessly till Will and I befriended the nicest cab driver / tourist guide ever. He proceeds to shuttle us back and fourth between various temples and open air markets.
Kings
Rain begins to come down hard forcing us to spend the night inside our private villa getting drunk on rum. Kings might be my favorite drinking game of all time.
Breakfast Buffet
Quite possibly the best bacon I’ve ever had. Have sneaking suspicion it is human flesh. If so my travel companions are in deep trouble. Plan to start with the small one named Amanda.
Traditional Thai Massage
All days should start with a small Thai woman bathing my feet then nimbly walking on my back.
The Beach
Two dollar Tiger beers and no sight of Leonardo Dicaprio make this a slice of heaven on earth.
Phuket Fantasea
How do you explain the unexplainable? An assault on all your senses and good taste. Click here for more details.
Bangla Road
Hookers, ping pong shows and lady boys oh my.
Favorite Moments in Beijing
PEK>HKG>HKT
Met Al in the Hong Kong airport before we all made our way to Phuket, Thailand.
Phuket, Thailand – Banyan Tree
I have been to many luxury resorts but this takes the cake. Click here for more details.
The Great Wall of China
Sweat dripped down our face as we climbed the steep and uneven steps of the Great Wall. Stopping every so often to catch our breath we pushed forward not sure where the path would lead.
In the end I found an inner peace and tranquility unlike any I had ever felt. Life changing is the only way to describe my experience at the Great Wall.
The Summer Palace
A leisure stroll along the Kunming Lake with the sun in our face was he best way to spend an afternoon in Beijing.
Beijing Olympic Park
Walked around the Olympic Park and realized that Beijing is a very flat city.
Chinese Tea Culture
Ended the day with a sampling of various teas in traditional Chinese fashion. My favorite was this amazing Oolong/Ginseng tea.
I pulled open the curtain excited to see the Beijing skyline only to find a thick cloud covering the city.
Temple of Heaven
The sound of bad Chinese pop ballads filled the air as we watched people play hackey sack and dominos in the surrounding park. What amazing local color.
Tiananmen Square
Think loud speakers blurting out instructions, cameras on every street lamp, military check points, and a picture of Mao (big brother) watching over everything. A true communist state.
Forbidden City
A magical experience that lived up to all my expectations. Highlights include the Concubine chamber, emperors quarters and a stone garden.
Hutongs & Rickshaws
A crazy ride via rickshaw through the ancient city alleys (hutongs) of Beijing with a quick stop at a traditional courtyard residence.
Flying Acrobatics Show
Twelve women on a bike? SOLD!
Beijing Nightlife – Lotus Blue
Determined to take in the Beijing nightlife we jumped in a cab and landed near the historic lakefront of Qian Hai. Here we discovered the greatest cover band to ever exist.