Dean John told us that Hong Kong was one of the top 5 ports in the world to come into. An experience not to be missed, so we made sure to be up for sunrise. It wasn't one of the best sunrises, but there is definitely a lot to see. |
We got 2 sunrises because after the first sunrise, the sun disappeared behind a mountain and rose again. |
Coming into the Hong Kong harbor. |
The pilot boat approaching our ship. The pilot jumps onboard while both boats are moving the same speed and helps Captain Jeremy navigate the ship into port. |
Molly & Amy being silly as we wait for the ship to get into port. |
That's my Jason! |
Yas, Rico, and Jason on the Star Ferry heading over from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island. |
Jason and Rico walking across an overpass bridge in Hong Kong. |
Yas, Jason, Rico, and me at the top of the Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. |
Yas and Jason holding hands across the park benches on the peak. Aren't they just the cutest? |
The lights of Hong Kong at night, taken on top of Victoria Peak. |
The lights of Hong Kong at night, taken on top of Victoria Peak. |
One of the many funny signs I saw in Hong Kong and China. |
The lights from bow to stern on the MV Explorer make it easy to spot from Victoria Peak. |
I went to Shanghai to visit my friends Kristi and Dave. Kristi took me shopping and here begins the impossible task of finding the perfect scarf for my mom. |
I of course did quite a bit of shopping in Shanghai. The game of bargaining is so much fun to me that I buy things just so I can try to get a good deal. |
We went to dinner with one of Kristi & Dave's friends who was able to order us lots of yummy dishes. We ordered the flaming sweet and sour fish that was delivered to the table complete with flames and singing. |
Kristi and I in front of our crispy fish head. |
Kristi and I in the Bund. |
The bright neon lights the Bund area in Shanghai. |
The lights on this building change so the flower is constantly changing color. |
Dave and Kristi by the river in Shanghai. |
The Bund is one of the most impressive miles along the river in Shanghai. It's the area where most of the European concessions are. |
I did some more last day shopping in the old city. |
The old town area is one of the only places where the traditional Chinese architecture can be seen. |
The pond near the Yuyuan Garden was filled with goldfish. |
I thought it was a funny sight to see the contrast of the old Chinese architecture with Starbucks. |
The old city near the Yuyuan Garden. |
Kristi's favorite lunch spot, which quickly became my favorite, was a little dumpling stand in the old city. The line was an hour long, but totally worth it! |
Chinese school children who also enjoyed a lunch of dumplings while in the old city. |
Kristi enjoying her dumplings. |
I bought a string of pearls from a girl named Amy in "Amy's Shop." |
Kristi left me to walk around Shanghai on my own while she was tutoring. I had no agenda, I just enjoyed soaking up the local color. |
People crossing the street near the market where the most common phrase heard is "WatchPurseDVD." Very aggressive men stand on the streets with picture cards trying to get you to follow them into their stores where they're selling knock-off watches, purses, & DVDs. It's quite annoying because they grab you or run you off the sidewalk. |
There was a big World Cup tennis tournament going on in Shanghai while I was there. I think we embarrassed Dave, but Kristi and I had quite a bit of fun playing with the giant tennis balls and rackets. |
Kristi playing dead. |
I got hit by a giant racket. |
I'd never seen a McCafé before. I guess Shanghai is cutting edge. |
Hong Kong skyline at night as seen from the back deck on our ship. |