Febrary 5: Hong Kong > Chicago > Providence

Sadly, like everything in life, all good things must come to an end. So today wraps up my grand adventure. My bags are all packed, and ready to go to the airport.

I love this view of Hong Kong, especially at night.

At the airport...

Breakfast at the United Club.

Can't we just stop off in Japan for awhile?

In flight entertainment.

Somewhere over Canada, I believe.

Brrr...welcome back to winter, Chicago-style.

A little bleary eyed, but alive.

Looks cold, huh.

And there's Warwick, Rhode Island - it really does get me off. That's an inside joke for Rhode Islanders - Providence Airport isn't in Providence at all, it's actually in Warwick.

What a great trip! A total of 28 days in Asia. Nine days in Vietnam. Almost 19,000 total miles traveled. Planes, trains, cars, buses, scooters, motorcycles, cars...and a whole lot by foot.

Febraruy 4: Hong Kong

Because it was Chinese New Year, there were literally thousands of mainlander Chinese in Hong Kong for the holiday. This meant that most of the popular tourist attractions were overwhelmed with people, including Victoria Peak, a beautiful spot to see Hong Kong from up high. I had intended to go yesterday, and even went so far as to get in line for the bus, but it was just too many people. So I postponed for my last full day in Hong Kong, and of course, it was overcast for the day. Bah!

The best way to get to The Peak is by the cable car tram. This is the track, and one of the stops along the way.

Hey there!

Pictures to attempt to show just how steep it is.

The cable car itself.

View of Hong Kong, complete with FOG.

Can't even see the less than half a mile away.

View from a Pacific Coffee Company shop at the top of the peak. Great place to sit and write postcards...

Going back down, you can see the huge crowds.

This really helps to demonstrate the angle.

From the drivers angle, it looks like we're about to plunge over a roller-coaster like precipice. And it is very steep.

Ones goes up as the other goes down, and they meet and "cross over" at this junction.

Very convenient to have a stop right on MacDonald road, near the apartment I was staying at.

POP TOP!

Later that day I went back down to Wan Chai to buy some last minute gifts, and I road the tram back. Yeah, it's a bit low for me on both the top and the bottom levels...I can't stand up straight!

February 3: Hong King

Another fairly low key day, with lunch out with "the family" and their hiking buddies.

Beard Papa makes the best custard filled pastries I've ever had.

Tsing Tao Beer, the PBR of China. With an actual pull tab top!

I had three of these this night, and giggled each time I pulled the tab...

...stepped on a pop top, cut me heal, had to cruise on back home...

Febryary 2: Hong Kong

There isn't much of a drinking culture in Hong Kong, so most of the western style bars are located in the Lan Kwai Fong section of Hong Kong, which has a bit of an infamous past.

These days it is just a milling ground for westerns that want a slice of home.

Uh...yeah. So I'm having a Sam Adams in Lan Kwai Fong. No shame there.

The 7-11's here are just nuts, more like a walk in liquor than anything else.

With no open container laws, why wouldn't you go in and by a Carlsberg or Tsing Tao and enjoy it on the street?

February 1: Hong Kong

Traditionally, Chinese New Year involves a Lion Dance. The apartment complex I was staying at had a dance troop come in to perform, which was a neat surprise.

The performers were incredible, leaping from these tall posts as a unit under the lion outfit...

The lion then visits each of the viewers to receive a "red packet".

Into the lions mouth with the packet...chomp chomp!

A smaller red dragon then went around to each part of the complex to bless it for the New Year.

And then more food. Lots more food.