We have spent 5 wonderful days in Hong Kong. It is a very dynamic city with Cantonese and Western culture colliding. HK is world class with incredible infrastructure (skyline and transport). It certainly has its own unique culture here. It is the first place that has really impressed me in a long time.

A major relief for us was the fact that English was spoken everywhere. In fact, HK was a welcomed return to the first world. Our time here allowed us to relax and recharge a little before returning on the road. We spent our time with the Best’s (who certainly live up to their name) who took wonderful care of us and showed us some of the best parts of their home.

While in HK, we took the famous tramway up to the top of Victoria peak. The ride up was quite an experience as we were at 50 degree angles at times. While at the summit, we had an amazing vista of the towers of HK and the busy harbour. We took our mandatory photos in awe of the size of the buildings here. It seems like nothing can be less than 20 stories; unless you are fantabulously rich and can buy a billion dollar house (slight exaggeration on the cost). We climbed down the peak walking through tropical forests that cover the hillsides of HK.

One of the highlights of HK was taking the ferry across the harbour especially at night time. The city is light up beautifully and it is near impossible to not take hundreds of photos of the illuminated buildings. Christmas (shopping) is very big here and some of the towers (40 stories) are decorated in tacky Christmas lights. It seems though that they go a little overboard with the decorations. Let me tell you that it is near impossible to be thinking of Christmas when it is 25 degrees out. I can tell all of you feel bad for us.

It has been great for us to be normal for a few days. Our bodies and spirits really needed this time here. But now, it is a return to the road with us spending the weeks before Christmas in Vietnam followed by Christmas in Phuket, Thailand-on the beach.

j & m

btw-we added more Moscow pictures!