Day 2: Victoria's Peak and Harbour Tou

Today we took a tram up to Victoria's Peak. Words may not express how beautiful the view was from the top (if you ignore all the smog.) After that, we took a ferry across the harbour and visited a different part of the island -- a wealthier part of the island. We tried some local cuisine -- by we I mean the 3 other ladies and a friend we met -- I ate noodles. I guess it's just hard to look at a whole cooked goose or cold chicken with the skin, bones and marrow in it -- not appetizing.


Right now we are at the Hong Kong airport getting ready to board a flight on Dragonair (hehe) to Beijing. We are staying at the 1Hai Inn (a hostel).

The Big Buddha

Today we hopped on a train, a ferry and then walked to see the Big Buddha. It was pretty amazing. I've included a picture of the Big Buddha (which is made of bronze) and a picture of us doing yoga poses below the Big Buddha. (L to R: Alyson, Stacey, Kara)

We are all having a great time. When we got to the hostel this morning, we showered and headed out. We have met some fun people at the hostel -- the people of Hong Kong have been so very helpful and kind to us.

The plan for tomorrow is to go to Victoria's Peak and then catch a flight at 7:00 to Beijing. We have worked out our flights and Cathay Pacific is allowing us to fly free to Beijing in place of our flight to Chengdu.

I don't know if you heard...

but there was an earthquake in Chengdu -- (more specifically the Sichuan Province). Our Georgia State sponsored trip was cancelled. Four of us (Kara, Julie, Stacey, and myself) met at the Atlanta Airport and left for China. We arrived in Hong Kong at 6:55 this morning (May 14th -- we are 12 hours ahead of Atlanta.) We are staying at the Hong Kong Hostel.

Aside from the 25 crying babies on our flight from Vancouver to Hong Kong (which was about 13 hours), things are great! I will keep you all posted on our activities -- and I will include photos from our travels.

I love you all!

Day Before Departure

We leave Atlanta tomorrow at 4:29 pm. We will be flying to New York, then Vancouver, Hong Kong, and finally Chengdu. We will return on June 12th. Our first few weeks will be spent teaching English in Chengdu and living with host families. Our last 10 days will be spent traveling to Xi'an, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

Random facts:
-- Chengdu is the home to the world's only giant panda research and breeding base.
-- Chengdu is in the Sichuan Province. The food here is supposed to be the spiciest in all of China.