Day 2 in Hong Kong

Well, the jet lag is gone (almost) and we had a wonderful day in Hong Kong. The morning started just as yesterday at Ray Kroc's place (McDonald's) and then we went on to meet Ben, our guide in Hong Kong. What a character! The ride into the city was phenomenal with Ben telling us lots about the history of the islands and the transformation they have undergone in the past 2000 years.


We first visited Victoria's Peak and took the tram to the top. This tram ride is really a sight to behold and carries you to the second highest point in Hong Kong, the first being the observation point just about the tramway. From here Ben and his driver took us on a ride around the city stopping at several places such as an English School and Repulse Beach, where Ann Marie made sure she rubbed the Laughing Buddha! Ben stated that she already had a Buddha of her own, then looked at me! Do I really look like a bald, round, happy guy? Well, if the shoe fits, I guess I will wear it!

From there Ben took us on a tour of the harbor on a Sampan. The harbor is a community on the water, made up by hundreds of fishing boats tied together. We motored around the half dozen rows of boats and got a small look and feel of what their every day life is like. It is amazing that the Tanka people still live this way, much as their ancerstors from generations ago.

Our last stop was Ann Marie's favorite, the Aberdeen Jewelry Factory. After viewing the jewelry making process we were taken into the showroom where Ann Marie almost lost her mind, and her credit card! The main reason for the trip was to purchase a gift for Savannah that she can wear a little later in life to remember her Chinese heritage.

After Aberdeen Ben took us downtown and left us there for the remainder of the afternoon and evening. We visited the Hong Kong History Museum then went to dinner and Happy Hour! After dinner we retired to the waterfront to watch the lightshow displayed on the building surrounding the harbor. At the completion of the show we returned to the hotel to find the remainder of our adoption group had arrived and was meeting with Ben in the hotel lobby before retiring to their rooms (did we look as zombie like as they did on Thursday?). We spoke to Nan and Russell and promised them they would feel better in the morning and with that we retired to the room to repack and prepare for tomorrow.

We leave for Guangzhou at 8:30 in the morning, which is a 4 hour bus ride into Mainland China with two border crossings. We have it from a good source that we will be united with Savannah around 2:00 pm tomorrow so we are preparing for our last night as a couple! We cannot wait till tomorrow! I am sure sleep will come at a premium tonight! We will update as soon as we can tomorrow so everyone can see our beautiful daughter!

Mike & Ann Marie