Hong Kong, May 8

Here it comes: the first of many posts on our trip to China. I've chosen a very few photos to post, there were so many to choose from! And none of these photos are the really good ones from my brother-in-law. I don't have those yet.

We traveled with just the ten of us. Mom and Dad took us around Hong Kong on public transportation, and in China we had a different tour guide in each city. Our own private bus and guide for our family. It was wonderful.

We arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday morning, May 8 at about 6:30 a.m. We had a very long flight from Los Angeles, over 14 hours (left LAX at midnight on May 6).

We hit the ground running, and barely took time to eat or sleep. Mom and Dad had lived in Hong Kong for 18 months, and wanted us to see as much as possible in three days. It was very humid, and hot. My hair got curlier every day.

Here is the agenda of Day 1 - or at least what I can remember of it:

• Catch airport express train to Hong Kong station, then a taxi to apartment.
• Mom and Dad's apartment (Harmony Mansion), change clothes, and have a bite to eat. 
• Take a boat ride on a sampan, and see the harbor from the water
• Walk through the park
• Church from 1:30 to 4:30
• Dinner at the apartment
• Cross the harbor on the Star Ferry, and see the Symphony of Lights. This is a laser light show that they project on the high rises of Hong Kong.
• Go to Police Headquarters (a former military headquarters that is now high-end shopping).
• Hotel and bed. We stayed at the Walden Hotel.

Our group for the whole trip: Charles and Ann, Dad and Mom, John and Audry, Ray and Diane, Orva and Paul

Ray on the train from the airport to Hong Kong

Diane and Ray on the train

Hong Kong - the bus on the lower left is a ding-ding, and we rode them all over the place.

Another view of the city

Hong Kong

Some of the boats we saw in the harbor

Part of the Wet Market - where Mom and Dad bought fresh food

Church - Ann and Charles, Dad, Orva and Paul, Diane, John and Audry

Ray and Diane