After five years working in London, I decided it was time to move back to Los Angeles, but not before taking a year off to see the world. I gave up my great job with Lehman Brothers in Administration and a fantastic flat (and roommate) I’d lived in for over three years, packed up all my belongings into some 60 cubic feet of boxes and said farewell to the wonderful friends I made in London. Before setting off for Asia, I spent seven weeks in the States including a weekend getaway in Chicago with my best friends from high school, corrective eye surgery in Philadelphia, Aud and Rob’s wedding in Bermuda, 13 days in Israel on Birthright (with a side trip to Petra) and time in quiet Oak Park with my parents and sister. Then, on July 18, 2010 at 1am, with only 13 kilograms in my 50L backpack and a small shoulder bag, I boarded a flight to Singapore. The goal of my adventure is not one of self-discovery or mending a broken heart but a journey of true desire to explore the world, experience new cultures, taste various cuisines, explore beautiful wildernesses, meet local people, and maybe learn some Spanish along the way. What lies below are my stories (or more of a daily recount of events) from the road.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Hong Kong heights (and haze)

Monday, November 15, 2010 - Thursday, November 18, 2010

Monday, November 15, 2010
Yesterday I didn’t do much in Bangkok.  Woke up at 7am naturally, so I went down for breakfast to say goodbye to Donna and Norm.  Ended up eating with Ros since she was there too.  J.P. came back to the hotel to say goodbye.  I really can’t believe the tour is over.  Other than sitting by the pool and using the internet, I just went out for a late lunch.

Today my flight was at 11:55, so I basically woke up and headed to the airport.  Back in business.  At check-in I was given a VIP pass for security and passport control, so I breezed through those.  There was a huge line at the other passport control.  Once again, I’m so glad I upgraded my ticket.  It has definitely been worth it.  Had a lovely three-course meal on the plane and the two hour flight passed quickly.  It’s an hour later here, so by the time I got to the hostel (took the airport express train to the MTR) it was 5pm.  There’s a friendly German girl in my eight-bed female dorm, so we ended up getting dinner tonight at a Yoshinoya.  Wasn’t my first choice but its close by.  Have the next 2.5 days to explore Hong Kong.  Looking forward to seeing this city.  Night for now.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Starbucks
Walked to Victoria park and Causeway bay
MTR to Admiralty
Hong Kong Park – teaware museum closed
Dim Sum at Luk Yu Tea House
The Peak
Wax
Dinner at 8:30 at the Pawn with Danika, Ashwin, Lindsey, Julie. Hung out there until 1:30am

My old street in London in Hong Kong
View from the Peak
Dinner at the Pawn with Wash U people
APhi reunion: Me and Danika

Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Kowloon: Waterfront, avenue of the stars, Clock tower, Luxury street
Science museum
Hostel to get ready
Afternoon tea with Lindsey at Mandarin Oriental
Drink with Fraser at the bar on the top floor followed by a fabulous (and enormous) meal at Zuma
Clock tower in Kowloon
Afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental with Lindsey
London reunion: Fraser and me at Zuma for dinner

Thursday, November 18, 2010
Checkout of hostel and went to Mandarin Oriental
Breakfast with Fraser
Got to ferry dock around 10:45
Got 11am ferry to Lamma Island.  Didn’t realize ferries ran so infrequently.  Rushed across 6km of the island (which is supposed to take two hours) in one hour to make the ferry at 12:40
Went back to Mandarin Oriental
Took my time showering and got ready for airport
Checked bag at train station
Passport control and security
Lounge
Flight

Lamma Island
Lamma Island


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