Like a King in Hong Kong

Hong Kong was great for Lunar New Year. It was especially great because we got a four day weekend with Monday and Tuesday off for festivities (I hear that in China, workers get up to a week off). We had to make up the missed days with extra classes on Wednesday and Saturday, but so is life in Korea.

Saturday we left Yeonsu at 6am in a taxi with falling snow (-7C/20F)
The 8:50am Cathay Pacific flight out of ICN got delayed for about an hour and a half due to de-icing the wings several times. When we finally arrived in Hong Kong it was about 2pm to cloudy 12C/54F weather. We stayed at the Yess Inn Hostel which was small, but clean, inexpensive, and central for our needs.

Throughout the rest of our trip we saw monkey mountain (where 50 monkeys were originally released to eat a toxic fruit that would poison the water supply and there are now over 2000) , Victoria Peak, Maccau, and various streets and alleys.The really nice place was being able to get western items like Pabst Blue Ribbon or Lays potato chips. The food was great from restaurants as well like Agave (better than On The Border for Mexican food), some Chinese place that was diner style in speed and quality, and Fernando (a popular Portuguese restaurant in Maccau). The ferry between Maccau and Hong Kong was inexpensive at ~$300HKD (~$38USD). Unfortunately we missed the parade due to being in Maccau and the fireworks due to an obstructed view. Either way I would return.

Hong Kong

Sweet Jesus

So it happened. I was warned about it, but it didn't help. It was the first day of winter and it is going to be horrible.

I've been told that it feels like a warm autumn day until winter hits and then you just wake up and it is freezing. That day was today.

It was a high of 8 degrees Celsius (48F) with a low of -1C (30F) when I got off. One of my kids had the balls to tell me that the news said it may snow.

This is mid November and I do not understand this. I am woefully unprepared for this. I may have gotten myself in too deep.

The sky is grey, the air is cold, and the wind is piercing every layer that I have put on.

Sweet?!

So I know it has been a while and the posts have been sparse. But, I have been busy! I have been to two islands, one national park, and North korea; all in two months. Just the break down on that is a different adventure every two weeks.

So what fills the off time? That is mostly runs to areas of Seoul or the greater Incheon area. Keep in mind that around 24 million people live in this area, around half the population of the Republic of Korea. These trips are noted not by "Let's go to Seoul," but rather, "Let's go to Bupyeon, Bucheon, Iteawon, or any of the other areas so big to be their own city." So I can be and have been busy just getting to know my surroundings.

I will keep you posted with pictures and recaps when I can find some down time.