Mourning Maui

Jason and I arrived home in Boston yesterday afternoon (Sat 6 Sept). It was bittersweet departing Maui. (See picture, Jason crying in the Maui airport.) Maui is a gorgeous and beautiful island, how lucky we are to have it as our 50th state. It is the ultimate playground of nature from hiking in rainforests and volcanos, to snorkeling in the clear bays, to identifying the exotic birds. All good things must come to an end, but the memories and ditigal pics live on.

Dragon's Teeth

Yesterday (Thur 4 Sept) was our last official day in Maui. (Our flight leaves tomorrow at 5 PM) So the main goals today are to relax, relax, and relax. We started the day with another snorkeling outing to Napili shores. Unfortunately, the tide was strong so the viewing was not the best. However, we relaxed at the beach and the pool. Lunchtime, we hit our local favorite Maui Tacos and took a 10 minute drive north of our hotel to Makalua-puna point, also known as Dragon's Teeth. The lava is different in this location then in most Hawaiian areas, denser and lighter in color. The salt spray etched the lava into the thrusting mounds, rightly named Dragon's Teeth. To view the area we cut through the Ritz Carlton golf course. According to the guidebook, the Ritz Carlton was supposed to be built on the cliff area, however, when digging started it was realized that the area was an ancient Hawaiian burial ground. Locals protested and hotel plans changed, however not before 900 bodies had been dug up. In the bay below, we were treated to another spectacular sea turtle sighting. We headed back to the hotel and took another dip in the hotel pool. We ended the day watching our last sunset in Maui.

Highway to Hana

Yesterday (Wed 3 Sept) Jason drove the famous road to Hana. I directed from the passenger seat. Heeding to the guidebook recommendations, we left early to start our day to avoid heavy traffic. The total distance to Hana was 70 miles from hotel, over 30 miles on the "Hana Highway". However, getting to Hana is the not the goal, the Hana Highway consists of narrow road with 54 one-lane bridges winding along the ocean cliffs and lush green valleys and waterfalls. Driving the road to Hana is not for the weak at heart. Careful passive assertive driving is key. Jason and I couldn't resist stopping numerous times along the way to take amazing picturesque photos of waterfalls and ocean views. We arrived in Hana (population: 1875) at lunchtime. We stopped for a lunchbreak at the Hana Ranch Restaurant, where I enjoyed a delicious grilled Ono fish sandwich and a refreshing glass of "passion-aid", while sitting outside with a view of the ocean in the distance. After lunch, Jason offered two of his Dramamine to a very grateful women suffering from motion sickness, a common complaint after traveling the road to Hana. Outside the lunch spot, I snapped a picture of Jason in front of the Hana US post office, a space no bigger than my current work office. Too bad we had nothing to mail. On the return trip, we stopped at a Wai'anapanapa State Park to enjoy the only black sands beach in Maui. On the road back in the afternoon, we followed a yellow school bus full of kids. It was hard for me believe that children everyday would take the bus ride to Hana for school. The guidebook warned the road can be routinely washed out with heavy rainfall making it impassable. We continue along the road heading back to our hotel and ended the day swimming in the pool under a rainbow, ahh, how we love Maui.

Snorkeling: Destinaton Unknown

Tues 2 Sept, Jason and I started the day by treating ourselves to breakfast at The Gazebo restaurant located at our hotel by the shoreline. The restaurant is known over the island for their macadamia nut pancakes and as a result a line forms every morning soon after it opens. I upped the anty by trying the short stack macadamia nut, pineapple and banana combo with coconut syrup. So delicious, I finished my entire plate. After a bit of relaxing, Jason and I were off to our afternoon snorkeling outing. We drove 30 minutes to the marina and boarded the catamaran with out snorkeling gear. We were off to Coral Gardens. (There were 8 feet waves at Molokini Carter.) Once we arrived we jumped in the 15-20 deep calm clear water to see an amazing and serene world below. Jason and I snapped photos with our disposable underwater film cameras. It was by far the best snorkeling I have never done. After our alotted time was up, we hopped back on the boat. Other experienced snorkelers commented that this area was as good if not better then Molokini Carter, which is the known as the Mercedes of snorkeling outings. After returning to shore, Jason had his hopes up for a round of put-put, but alas the putting green was closed for the day. Tomorrow, we drive the scenic road to Hana.

Happy birthday or Hau`oli la hanau!

Happy birthday, or in Hawaiian, Hau`oli la hanau, to Gene & Steph!

Just another day in paradise

Yesterday (Mon 1 Sept) Jason and I started the day with a morning snorkel at Napali Bay a short walk from our place. After a quick shower, we jumped in the car and headed to Ioa Valley State Park, admission free. Ioa Valley is located in the rain forest mountains, near Wailuku. It is Maui's highest and wettest point. According to the guidebook, Ioa is named for Maui's beautiful daughter. The Iao Needle, a rock pinnacle that rises over 2000 feet, is said to be Ioa's secret lover captured by Maui and turned into stone. It was an impressive sight. In the stream and swimming holes below many locales were swimming. Jason and I avoided taking a dip due to the possible threat of leptospirosis. After snapping our photos we continued on to Waliea in South Maui to check out the ritzy resort scene. We both agreed our condo/hotel digs were far more accommodating. We made a quick stop at Lappert's Hawaii, a local ice cream chain where we spilt a refreshing cup of luau delight and mango sorbert, then returned to Napali in time to end the day with a dip in the pool, while watching the sunset over the ocean.

Voted best beach in the world

Yesterday, Sun 31 Aug, Jason and I woke up to another beautiful and relaxing day in paradise. After a leisurely breakfast of cereal, Kona coffee and fresh pineapple, we head out to Kaanapali beach, a 20 minute drive from our place to snorkel. In 2003, it was voted the best beach in the world. Kaanapali beach is located a mist five story condos and hotels complex, leading Jason and I to first believe we would not be able to enjoy the beach. However, Hawaii does it right; all beaches are free with public access rights. Jason and I drove until we found the beach access sign, parked in the free parking and hit the beach. We snorkeled close to the shoreline until 1 pm, adding new fish sightings to our list. (Jason took a lot pictures with his waterproof disposable camera.) After reapplying sunscreen and relaxing on the beach, we hit the local chain Maui Tacos for a quick lunch, "It's Mexican with Mauitude!". Even with SPF 50, we soon realized that being in the intense Hawaiian sun had done some damage to our exposed backs. We kept a low profile the rest of the day with some shopping at Wal-Mart for aloe gel. We ended the day watching the sunset over the ocean at Hanakaoo Beach Park, where many local families had gathered enjoying the picnic areas and playing tunes on their ukuleles. Tomorrow, Jason and I hope to snorkel again at Napili Bay in the early morning and then take a trip to Iao Valley State Park and Wailea.

Birding in Maui

At the Haleakala ranger station, I purchased this Hawaii Audubon Society bird book. Check out the birding list on the blog to see the birds we identify.


http://www.hawaiiaudubon.com/

Hiking in Haleakala

Today, Sat 30 Aug, Jason and I were transported to another planet. We took a trip to Haleakala, the US National Park, to view the massive and breathtaking volcano crater like basin measuring 7.5 miles wide and 3000 feet in depth. After the 2 hour drive traveling up approximately 9000 feet in elevation through the clouds and hair pin sharp curves we arrived at the summit. We hiked along the Sliding Sands Trail easily about 1 mile down into the crater. A group of juvenile nene birds (Hawaii's state and endangered bird) crossed our path. The views were surreal and beautiful, an endless horizon of rainbow earth tone colors on the crater floor engulfed in intermittent clouds. According to the Lonely Planet guidebook, Mark Twain visited Haleakala and praised it for its healing solitude. Jason could relate. We stopped often to listen to the silence. The hike back up to the summit was, of course, more intense, but we made it with a little huffing and puffing. Tomorrow is slated as a full day of snorkeling, with so many beaches to choose from it will be hard to decide where to go.

A lovely day in Lahaina

Yesterday, Fri 29 Aug, Jason and I woke up early (jet-lag) to the delightful tropical birds' tweets and twerps from the garden below. (We need to pick up a Hawaiian bird book to identify them.) We spent the day at Lahaina, a lovely historic seaport town dating back to 1800's Christian missionary days. We toured the banyan tree park, historic courtyard and jail now used partially as an art gallery. While in the art gallery, we chatted with an employee originally from Burlington, MA. We strolled down the boardwalk and checked out the shops. We stopped in at my favorites stores: ABC stores and Hilo Hattie, the ultimate in tourista paraphernalia where I purchased a cute and comfortable mu-mu dress. We ended the day snorkeling at Napili Bay, a short cliff walk from our hotel. Even though the waters were a bit murky with the afternoon winds kicking up, we saw an amazing number of colorful fish in the rocky coral floor. (Jason and I also need to pick up a coral reef picture book to identify them as well.) Jason and I only had to swim out from shore a few feet to see this. As we were enjoying the fantastic feeling of floating and watching the beautiful fishes below, all of a sudden an enormous sea turtle came my way. I screamed. Jason thought I was in danger and missed the sighting. We snorkeled some more until we agreed it was time to hit the pool. As we were leaving the bay, we were treated to an amazing sight: a family of sea turtles had come in close to shore. They were very happy frolicking in the waves as we watched them. I think they knew they had an audience.

Good Morning Maui

Thur 28 Aug, Jason and I arrived in paradise 10 minutes early. We flew into Kahului Maui OGG Airport on Thursday at 3:00 PM. While leaving the airport, Jason treated me to a beautiful orchid lei. We jumped in our six seater mini SUV upgrade rental car and headed to our hotel/condo located in Napili, about a 30 minute ride from the airport on the West Maui coast. To our surprise, when we checked in, we were upgraded to an oceanview view room. We can see the island Molokai in the distance. After a little rest, we drove to the local supermarket to stock up on some TV dinners, cereal, pineapple and Kona coffee. The pineapple and Kona coffee were the only deals. The supermarket prices are approximately 50% higher the mainland. (A gallon of milk costs $8.99.) I am surprised we don't hear more about the Hawaiians complaining about gas prices, approximately $4.60 a gallon. (This price is down 10 cents according to the local TV news.) We ate our dinners on our laini and fell asleep listening to the ocean waves.

Happy 1st!

It is hard for me to believe that Jason and I are on the verge of our 1st wedding anniversary (and almost four years since we met). This 1st year of marriage as been an absolute breeze in comparison to planning and orchestrating a wedding celebration. Not to imply that weddings are not important, looking back I realize how special it is to take the time out of our busy daily lives to celebrate the significance in these joyful events in their simplicity. We all hope we have many more happy moments in our lives then sad. Jason and I have the fondest memories of August 18, 2007. Thank you for all the warm wishes.

Last night, Jason and I started our marriage anniversary celebration with a complimentary six inch round, three layer lemon curd butter cream frosted cake from Rosie's bakery. The "summertime" flavor was the same as our wedding cake. (You may purchase this cake anytime, http://www.rosiesbakery.com/products/prodbygroup.aspx?groupid=28&cat=3
HINT HINT: Jason said he would like this as his birthday cake.) :)

From the garden pots

Amazingly from our 6' by 12' city condo porch, Jason and I are having a bumper summer crop of tomatoes and basil. The other night I cut up a tomato to make a bowl of fresh guacamole, paired with some chips as a delicious treat. (Jason did not approve that I was eating this solely as my dinner.)

I am tempted to try this basil ice cream recipe from the Epicurious website, http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/BASIL-ICE-CREAM-230779 I have some reservations about the taste of the end result. However surprisingly, 21/21 of the individuals that posted a comment about this recipe would make it again. So maybe I will give it a try.

Beatnik Banana Bread

Since Jason and I are working full-time with many extra-curricular activities not normally revolving around kitchen domestic duties, it seems more often than not the bananas we buy gradually turn brown and mushy and the milk we buy eventually goes sour. Normally this would pose a major problem since I grew up in a family that does not waste an ounce of food. However my Beatnik Banana Bread recipe is the answer. I have made it several times for Jason, the ultimate taste-tester and he has given it raved reviews every time.

Beatnik Banana Bread
Ingredients
1 Cup White Flour

3/4 Cup Wheat Flour
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
Dash of salt
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Cup Brown Mushy Mashed Bananas
1/2 Cup Sour Milk
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 Cup Chopped Walnuts

Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Mix dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, beat sugar and eggs together, add bananas, milk, vanilla, slowly combine dry ingredients a little at a time. (Batter should be more stiff then soupy.) Add batter to a greased bread loaf tin. Bake for 1 hour. Check the insides of the bread with a knife. (Knife should come out clean.) Cool and remove from tin. Slice and enjoy!

Me & My new knitting buddy

Spent Saturday night teaching my niece Abby how to knit. She is a pro! I am working on a pair of pink baby booties as a gift for a friend. Abby finished a gorgeous dolly blanket.

It is official ...

Jason and I have our next destination planned. Maximing the least amount of frequent flyer miles used versus the most miles traveled while incorporating the convenience of flight times and connections, we have selected Maui. We have tickets booked in late August over labor day weekend, using 35K miles each with a connection through DFW. I am excited. Both Jason and I have never been. We have reservations on hold at a hotel/condo that has complementary high speed internet in the rooms. (Jason will most likely need to bring his laptop since his classes will have started for the Fall term.) So, hopefully, I will be able to continue my travel blog from Maui.

Marathon Monday

Today is the Boston Marathon and my unofficial start of summer. Jason, his mom and step dad, Jon and I drove to Wellesley, which is approximately the half way point of the race to watch Karen, Jason's step sister, run the Boston Marathon in its entirety. She ended with an amazing time of 4:38:26. Go Karen! Her time really should be 4:37:56 because she ran across from the opposite side of the street to give us all hugs.

Spring on the T

Today was the first morning this year I left the condo without wearing my brown puffy insulated winter jacket. I opted instead for my sporty jean jacket, but not forgetting my scarf and gloves. (Spring is here but not early in the morning). On my ride home after a long intense work day, without notice, the red line T halted to a stop on the Longfellow bridge over the Charles River. Normally I would be frustrated with this occurrence, however being stuck in the T on a gorgeous sunny day overlooking a sparkling spacious river dotted with sailboats is a view worth millions especially when you have a seat. (Picture is courtesy of http://www.rch-phd.com)

Turkey day

This past Sunday morning Jason and I saw a gobbling turkey in the Brighton condo parking lot. (See picture.) Jason claims the turkey is from Brookline, the next town over. (I am not sure where he got that information.) Jason wanted to invite the turkey inside, but I advised against that. By the way, Rainbow is a-okay and has visited us often for love and attention.

I love TurboTax & Jason

This year Jason and I are filling our taxes together for the first time. I expected combining our tax documents to be an incredibility painful and stressful experience, thus why I created a "Tax Day Countdown" on this blog. I envisioned we would be one of the couples you see at the Starbucks closest to the post office at closing time on April 15th with endless stacks of papers and tired frustrated eyes. But not so, because we have the love of my life, Turbotax…..I mean Jason! Jason planted himself down in front of his little laptop yesterday morning and away he went: typing in info, entering $ figures and answering weirdly worded legal questions. By noon, he announced he was done. Astoundingly Turbotax conducted the appropriate calculations and created the tax form pdf effortlessly. Now if only Turbotax could vacuum the condo, cook dinner and do the mounds of laundry we have been putting off, we would be golden.

Where is Rainbow?

So Jason and I are home and have settled nicely back into our regular routine of work, rest and play. Amazingly Jason was up at 6 AM this past week doing work, a jet lag side effect. Since our return, we have become a bit worried about Rainbow. Rainbow is the every friendly, always purring neighborhood cat we invite into the condo for snacks and fun. We have only seen him once briefly in the parking lot when we were leaving for work. Hopefully he is okay and has not forgotten about us.

All good things must come to an end.

Since this is the night (Sunday 23 March) before my departure and probably my last post in Hong Kong, I am having difficulty putting into words my concluding thoughts. Hong Kong is an absolutely fascinating, juxtaposing metropolis: rich in traditions, but proficient in modern technology, including their awesome transit system. With over six million people, the city remains calm, safe and its people so polite. I have thoroughly enjoyed posting on this blog and describing my daily adventures in text and in pics. (What amazing technology!) Hopefully you have relished in it as well. Thank you so much for your comments! Thank you to Jason, for what an absolute amazing vacation this has been for me. I look forward to bookmarking this website and reminiscing about our journey.

A day with no agenda...

Today (Easter) Jason and I awoke to an amazing crystal clear skyline view of the Hong Kong harbor. After Jason finished some computer work activites and I packed my suitcase, we set off mid morning for a stroll on the harbor promenade. What I thought might be a quiet day on the street of Hong Kong, since it was a sunday holiday, was not true. Hong Kongers like usual were ready to shop and outside enjoying the life. Jason and I took the ferry one last time across the harbor and with our Octopus card and rode the double decker tram, an experience all tourists in Hong Kong must have. We toured some market stalls where I purchased a Louis Vuitton coin purse for a $1 (US). Riding the bus back we passed the impressive seven story Hong Kong Central Library, which appeared open on Sundays. We stumbled upon a street fair and from what we could decipher a religious graduation ceremony in the Statue Square and returned to the hotel via the metro to enjoy our usual dim sum dumplings and Tsing Tsao beer. At 8 PM, we hope to venture out to see the harbor laser light show.

Happy Easter!

Today (Easter) is my last day in Hong Kong before my 9 AM flight tomorrow to JFK. Jason will be in Hong Kong until Saturday. (Make sure you comment on the blog and email him. He might be lonely.) Today there is no set agenda, but it will include mental preparation/yoga for a long flight ahead, packing and I am sure some sort of little jaunt. (Picture of our Easter friends who made the trip with us.)

Up up and away...

Today (Saturday 22 March) Jason, his colleague Tim and I ventured out to the Tiam Tan Buddha "Big Buddha" on Lantau Peak via the metro. At the end of the line metro stop Tung Chung we followed signs for the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. We purchased our tickets and off we went into the clouds for our 25 minute ride. According to the guidebook, the views from the glassed-in gondola are suppose to be tremendous, however today was a cloudy day. At the exit of the cable car ride, we hoped to see the Big Buddha in the distance, not so. We followed the crowds and proceeded to walk up the endless stairs. At last at the top we saw the Buddha during brief intermittent gaps in the clouds. We toured the beautiful Po Lin monastery and temple. During the downpour that suspended the cable car rides, we took cover in a tea house in Ngong Village (a tourist shopping area near the Buddha) and treated ourselves to a pot of refreshing white tea served to us in the traditional custom. After our tea, our prayers to the Buddha were answered. The rain stopped and the cloud cover disappeared, at least temporarily. We could see the Buddha! We took our pictures and retuned to Tung Chung via the cable car. We decided for an adventure to take the local M3 bus to the village of Mui Wo on the harbor to catch a ferry back to Hong Kong Island. Being part of Hong Kong's national park system, the bus route was scenic. It was unpopulated, forested and mountainous. At Mui Wo, we checked out the picturesque beach and small shops while we waited a half hour for our ferry. (Mui Wo was the first area I have seen in Hong Kong that was not built up with towering apartment complexes.) For dinner in Hong Kong / Central we found a delicious, inexpensive restaurant recommended by Fodor's suitability named Heaven on Earth and ordered sautéed jelly fish as one of our dinner selections.

Vegas Baby...

Yesterday Jason and I (Friday 21 March) returned from probably the most courageous excursion of our travels. A day trip to Macau, Asia’s answer to gambling Las Vegas! Like Hong Kong, Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China, however unlike Hong Kong, Macau was a colony of Portugal. Passports are required. After a bit of confusion at the ticket counter, Jason and I purchased a round trip assigned seat ferry ticket to Macau. Being the start of the Easter holiday, the ferry terminal was a busy place. We arrived in Macau and were promptly greeted by the chaos that comes with looking like a tourist. We had hopes of touring the Ruinas de Paulo, however with the increased humidity, unfriendly pedestrian streets and limited time, we ruled this trek out. Instead we hit the mega casinos! Well, the casinos were cool and surprisingly calm compared with the outside confusing hustle and bustle and we were feeling lucky. After losing our shirts, we meandered back to the ferry. By total surprise, we stumbled upon the Macau Museum of Art and today admission was free. (Jason equated this detour to being in Vegas and going to the library.) Finally we were back on the ferry to Hong Kong and ended the day with a stroll through Kowloon park, a little exercise in a Tai Chi park (an exercise playground for adults) and a little shopping. Standing in two immigration and two departures lines in one day, can be exhausting, but we got our passports stamped four times in one day! Smithsonian article on Macau: (Sept 08) http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/macau-jackpot.html

Recently posted on boston.com

Posted on 19 March on Boston.com/Cheap Eats section.
"At Gitlo's, it's always time for dim sum" Gilto's Dim Sum Bakery in Allston. The chef is from Hong Kong.
http://www.boston.com/ae/food/restaurants/articles/2008/03/19/at_gitlos_its_always_time_for_dim_sum/
Who is game? I am going to need a pick-me-up from my dim sum withdrawl, which I will most likely experience upon my return.

We made it to The Peak.

Yesterday (20 March) afternoon Jason and I made it to Victoria Peak, "The Peak". We took the metro to Hong Kong Island / Central, walked a bit following the signs to the tram, purchased our tickets and rode up the awesome steep incline. At the apex, we took pictures, enjoyed the view and tried not to get blown away. We left just in time to miss the rain storm. We took the local #1 bus back to the ferry terminal. This ride was more frightening then the tram. Picture a top heavy double decker bus careening around a small steep mountain road. Today the activities include a 1 hour+ ferry ride to Macau (SAR), perhaps we will gamble.

Need any Tiger Balm?

Yesterday (20 March) on my morning outing, featuring an extended walk down Nathan Road, the main shopping, thoroughfare, I found the Hong Kong equivalent to Target. You know you have found something good when you are the only tourist. I also checked out at the Peninsula hotel, a grand stately historical hotel from the 1920's. The hotel has its own helipad and recently opened Louis Vuitton store. When the store opened a few days ago there was a line around the block.

Jason is back.

With dirty steel toed boots, safety vest and hard hat, Jason arrived back safe and sound at the hotel at 6 AM today (20 March) having been up all night in the under construction new metro tunnel. Being an occupational health & safety specialist, I was a bit worried, but everything was fine. The engineering testing went well and will not have to be repeated. Undoubtedly, he is exhausted and is asleep while I conduct a little online research about the ferries to Macau (We hope to go to Macau this weekend.) in the dark before I head out for a morning adventure. This afternoon, Jason and I hope to visit Victoria Peak. (I took this picture yesterday and hope to use in my safety training/courses.)

Should I be worried?

Yesterday I got a mosquito bite on my arm. Today I saw this sign.

Today I felt like a rockstar.

Today (19 March) I took the metro one stop to the Hong Kong Museum of History. The museum was packed with Asian teenagers dressed in school uniforms more interested in texting then touring. A few of them approached me practicing their English said "Good morning." They giggled when I answered back. As I was leaving, a group of young Asian teenage girls, approached me and asked me if they could take their picture with me. I thought I misunderstood, but no. The girls surrounded me and one took the picture. They thanked me. I wish I had gotten a picture of this as proof. This is very reminiscent of Andrew's experience in Japan. I hopped on a double decker air-con bus only realizing when I arrived 20 minutes later at the Whampoa bus terminal that I had gone in the wrong direction. No worries, the buses are so convenient, I got on another bus going where I wanted to be in no time. I arrived at the Hong Kong Musuem of Art. I was disappointed, no one asked for my picture there. Next up the ferry to Aberdeen on Hong Kong Island. I had to get on 3 ferries via the island of Lamma, for which my guidebook was no help. Walked around Aberdeen, known for the "junks", fishing boats and toured the small Tin Hau temple. Took the #70 bus back to Central, Hong Kong Island and the ferry back to the hotel in Kowloon. Back at the hotel Jason was sleeping getting his energy up for his "all-nighter" engineering testing work. I went to the cocktail hour for some well deserved snacks. Any ideas, what is that fruit from the pic above? I have no idea.

Early this morning...

At 5:00 AM I called Cathay Pacific. Did I mention that Jason got an internet phone service for the trip? Skype - phone calls to the US are 2 cents a minute and 1-800 are free through the laptop. Luckily, thanks to Jason, and his special airline status I was able to change my seat assignment to an aisle in the middle 3 seat section for my Boeing 777 flight home. Usually I insist on sitting in window seat however flying 14+ hours by yourself is not a usual occurrence. (Jason and I are wide awake at 5 AM from jet lag.)

Work is actually involved

Jason's Hong Kong Experience (so far) It was our second day in the tunnel... The giant piece of equipment you see in the middle picture is the tunnel boring machine that they used to drill the train tunnel. It is about 25 feet in diameter and now they need to get it out of the tunnel. Needless to say, it was a busy day at the site. Access to the bottom of the tunnel involves some rather crude scaffolding and spaces where you almost need to crawl. The top photo shows all the concrete trucks that were driving in and out making it difficult for us to move our equipment to the site. The Studio Theatre is what we are all concerned about for this project. They have performances there and if the train causes noise and vibration (since the tunnel is about 100 feet away) the audience would be disturbed during the performances. It needs to be VERY quiet... Our big day testing is actually in the middle of the night tonight which puts me back onto USA time... not sure how that will go, but I am expecting to be tired. Can't wait for the work to be over so I can start enjoying HK more with Laura. Lots of plans for the rest of the trip once I am done with the testing!

My "copywatch" is still ticking.

Today (Tueday 18 March) I took the metro to Wong Tai Sin Temple, according to the guidebook a popular temple with the locals. This was an understatement. I was intrigued to tour the Good Wish Gardens for obvious reasons in its name. It featured relaxing carp ponds and zigzagging stone bridges. The exit from the temple was an arcade filled with Chinesse fortunetellers, some offering English translations. I spent sometime at the very modern Festival Walk Shopping Center at Wong Tai Sin and shopped a bit at H&M. I saw signs to City University of Hong Kong and decided to check out the campus. I hopped on the metro again and took it to Prince Edwards to walk to Yuen Po Street Bird Garden and the flower market. I was distracted by the market stalls and bargained for a new Swiss Army watch for $7 (US), aka "copywatch". (I recently misplaced my silver watch in Boston.) When I finally reached the bird garden, it dawned on me that this probably was not the best place to hang around with the recent bird flu epidemic. So I took a few pics and moved on. I debated about taking the metro to Hong Kong Island, where I was yesterday, and spending some time "ferrying" around on the harbor, but my feet were tired and my camera battery had died, so I returned to the hotel to grab a snack at the executive floor cafe and to wait for Jason. Tomorrow is museum day. The Hong Kong Art Museum & the Hong Kong Museum of History are free on Wednesdays and hopefully I can schedule in a ferryride to Aberdeen.

What Laura did yesterday

Yesterday I started my day by walking to the Star Ferry Terminal. Found signs to Central/Hong Kong Island and used my Octopus card. The 10 minute ferry ride cost about 25 cents (US). Landed at the ferry terminal and started walking from the ferry terminal on the elevated pedestrian foot bridge. By "accident" I found myself in the ultra expensive International Finance Center(IFC) mall which houses stores like Gucci and Channel. Needlessly to say, I did not do much shopping there. Connected to the mall was one of the Airport Express Transit Metro Stations. You can check in to flights and check your luggage up to 24 hours before your flight so you don't have to lug it with you on the metro. How amazing is that! (Maybe this is why the Hong Kong airport was voted the world's best airport in 2007.) From there, I meandered my way around the busy congested streets with outside vendors which was in such contrast from a few blocks away. I visited Man Mo Temple, (one of Hong Kong's oldest temples), the central escalators, (the world's longest elevated covered escalator running above street level), Saint John's Cathedral and Hong Kong Park. At 3 PM I walked to the Central metro. I splurged the 90 cents (US) for the ride back to the hotel. I did a little shopping around the hotel and at 7 PM ventured out to dinner with Jason and his colleagues. (This morning Tuesday 18 March, I awoke early to Jason working hard typing away on his laptop. I asked him if I could take his photo for the blog. He said "no"!, so I am using one he took of me earlier in the trip.)

Jason went to work.

8:40 AM, Monday 17 March. Today I am left to my own devices. Let's see where I end up. (Happy St. Patty's Day!)

Jason finally woke up.

7:00 PM, Sunday 16 March. Jason and I had a relaxing afternoon tootling around near our hotel. Walked on the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong's version of the Hollywood Walk of Stars, with picturesque views of the harbor. We then went to check out the Cultural center/Opera house where Jason will be doing his engineering testing and then strolled to Kowloon Park to relax among the rose garden. Ended the day with a dip in the pool and a visit to the hotel cocktail hour with more dim sum goodies. (The picture is of me and the Beijing Olympic cartoon caricatures.)

Jason is asleep.

9:30 AM, Sunday 16 March, Renaissance Kowloon Hotel. Jason and I have returned from the deluxe continental breakfast included with our room stay. I feasted on superb little dim sum dumplings, apricot yogurt and french croissants. (I will not be losing any weight on this trip.) Jason is presently fast asleep recovering from jet lag. Normally, I would not be taken with this activity because I like to be on the go when I travel, but since Jason will be working hard in Hong Kong for the majority of the trip, I should let him recuperate. So as I wait for him to rest a bit, I blog, read from Lonely Planet and enjoy the harbor, mountain, city skyline view from the hotel. (You can't see him, but Jason is asleep in the bed.)

We have arrived.

10:00 PM, Saturday 15 March. Departing the lost luggage line with only hope in hand...
one last twirl around the carousel...
our three little bags appeared on the belt!
Our adventure begins.

Fed well on our cramped Cathay Pacific flight with exquisitely manicured stewardesses. Took the amazing high tech train from the airport which couldn't have been an easier commute with our newly purchased Octopus cards. Arrived at a gorgeous 4-star hotel with an executive top floor club suite. Picture is the view from our room. (Traveling with Jason has its advantages.)

Less than 24 hours ....

until I am on a 20+ plane ride to Hong Kong with Jason.