The constant rumbling of the plane's engine, the distant chatter of other passengers, the announcement from the cabin crew to buckle up was the first few signs that told me, in a few moments, I was really leaving Hong Kong.
I looked out the window and saw the building that I just came out of - a large structure with glass windows that housed many departing people, whether they are tearful, happy, or excited. Jordan was still there, probably en route to his own gate, to board his flight to Toronto. The mountains, so close to us, provided a impressive backdrop against the many waiting planes in the vast lot. Beyond the mountains was the rest of Hong Kong, which had been my home for the past 4 months...
The plane ride was quite relaxing and enjoyable. I spent the first 4 hours eating, watching a movie (Limitless) and a few episodes of shows that I fell behind on. The next half an hour consisted of me disturbing my sleeping neighbour so I could go to the washroom, then struggling to find a comfortable spot for me to fall asleep. Once that position was discovered, I snoozed for the next 5 hours and woke up to find we were only an hour away from our destination!
My first thought as the plane was descending towards the runway of Vancouver airport was how far the mountains looked. It looked hundreds of kilometers away! It was a great change from Hong Kong, where the nearby mountain was simply a few kilometers hike or an MTR stop away...
It was quite sad to be leaving Hong Kong. I have such an incredible 4 months full of great adventures, fantastic people and delicious food! However, I am glad to be back home, to see my family and friends here, and to enjoy the beautiful and dry Vancouver weather. I will definitely be back in Hong Kong sometime, to enjoy the rest of the amazing places I never got to visit. It's not goodbye, but 再見 - see you again!
P.S. We will still be updating the blog and posting about our past adventures! Sta tuned :)
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Minor Update!
Hello everyone! As you can see, we have fallen behind with updates on this blog. Apologies! The term is coming to an end so soon, and there are way too many things happening all at once!
We are currently in final exam period, so if we are not holing up in the library studying, we are outside enjoying the last bit of Hong Kong. Both Jordan and I have our flights on May 27th to return to Canada. My dad is actually coming to visit on May 25th, so we'll be spending our last days in Hong Kong with him!
The blog updates will probably come when I return home :P It is so weird to think I will be home in about 1 week. I will definitely miss it here!
We are currently in final exam period, so if we are not holing up in the library studying, we are outside enjoying the last bit of Hong Kong. Both Jordan and I have our flights on May 27th to return to Canada. My dad is actually coming to visit on May 25th, so we'll be spending our last days in Hong Kong with him!
The blog updates will probably come when I return home :P It is so weird to think I will be home in about 1 week. I will definitely miss it here!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Thailand - Part 3: Chiang Mai
- First Thailand post written by Melody! Pictures to come soon, since Jordan was the photographer and has all the pictures! :) -
We were all pretty tired from our adventures in our first day in Chiang Mai, so we headed back to the hotel and went to sleep promptly.
The next day was an early day; we woke at around 6am in order to get ready to meet with Jean's family, who was going to take us around the town. There were a few confusions however, and we didn't end up leaving until a couple hours later. But during that time, we decided to sign up for a day tour for tomorrow that consisted of elephant riding, river rafting, bamboo rafting and a hike to a waterfall! We were quite excited to get those plans set in stone and ready to go.
Jean's uncle arrive to pick us up, and we set off! The day plan was to visit the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, and then the Tiger Kingdom. The drive out to the area with all the tourist attractions was quite long, so we felt quite uncomfortable to have to impose on Jean's uncle, but he seemed perfectly fine with driving us.
The San Kamphaeng Hot Springs park was a beautiful place, with many green areas and gardens for family and kids to hang out. It was another blistering hot day, and we walked along the path, following signs that point us to "Hot Springs". There were many other areas of the park including restaurant areas, a mineral pool, buildings for mineral baths, and more! I was quite excited to finally visit a hot springs, but as we got closer, we realized something was wrong. The hot springs were outside in plain view, and were very small. There was a sign indicating that the temperature of the water was 105 degrees Celcius. It also says "Boil egg".
We were all pretty tired from our adventures in our first day in Chiang Mai, so we headed back to the hotel and went to sleep promptly.
The next day was an early day; we woke at around 6am in order to get ready to meet with Jean's family, who was going to take us around the town. There were a few confusions however, and we didn't end up leaving until a couple hours later. But during that time, we decided to sign up for a day tour for tomorrow that consisted of elephant riding, river rafting, bamboo rafting and a hike to a waterfall! We were quite excited to get those plans set in stone and ready to go.
Jean's uncle arrive to pick us up, and we set off! The day plan was to visit the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, and then the Tiger Kingdom. The drive out to the area with all the tourist attractions was quite long, so we felt quite uncomfortable to have to impose on Jean's uncle, but he seemed perfectly fine with driving us.
The San Kamphaeng Hot Springs park was a beautiful place, with many green areas and gardens for family and kids to hang out. It was another blistering hot day, and we walked along the path, following signs that point us to "Hot Springs". There were many other areas of the park including restaurant areas, a mineral pool, buildings for mineral baths, and more! I was quite excited to finally visit a hot springs, but as we got closer, we realized something was wrong. The hot springs were outside in plain view, and were very small. There was a sign indicating that the temperature of the water was 105 degrees Celcius. It also says "Boil egg".
Friday, April 13, 2012
Thailand - Part 2: Chiang Mai
After a long and bumpy ride, we arrive in a deserted little area on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. After freshening up in the small bathroom, we went off to meet Jean's family, north of Chiang Mai. An important note that this is Jean's extended family whom she's never actually met. So it was a first meeting for all of us. Upon meeting her grandfather, he embraces all of us warmly. Just as friends, yet we've never met. The road there is an interesting one for me, as I was sitting in the back of the pickup truck.
As we arrive at their property, we realize how rural the area is and how far we are from everything we know. We are in for an experience. As the truck pulls in, we see many shy children poking their heads out from doorways of the different houses, curious to see the strange visitors who have just arrived. With Jean's help translating, we are quickly introduced and shown the humble accommodations of Jean's family. Baby chickens are snooping around the yard, the wildness is literally on the doorstep - this is a cozy place. It is quiet and serene, but quickly heating up with the rising sun.
Her family graciously serves us a late breakfast and we go exploring around their backyard. We meet a few more relatives and then it is nearly time to return to Chiang Mai. Jean's uncle has found us a room for 300 baht / night - 10CAD!
As we arrive at their property, we realize how rural the area is and how far we are from everything we know. We are in for an experience. As the truck pulls in, we see many shy children poking their heads out from doorways of the different houses, curious to see the strange visitors who have just arrived. With Jean's help translating, we are quickly introduced and shown the humble accommodations of Jean's family. Baby chickens are snooping around the yard, the wildness is literally on the doorstep - this is a cozy place. It is quiet and serene, but quickly heating up with the rising sun.
Her family graciously serves us a late breakfast and we go exploring around their backyard. We meet a few more relatives and then it is nearly time to return to Chiang Mai. Jean's uncle has found us a room for 300 baht / night - 10CAD!
Brushing teeth finally!
Thailand - Part 1: First day in Bangkok
While we have many other updates that we still need to publish, Thailand is by far one of our biggest and most exciting! In the ending days of midterms we quickly snuck away to Thailand for a 9 day trip around three cities, Chaing Mai, Koh Samed, and of course, Bangkok.
This was our first major trip out of Hong Kong (Macau had only been a day trip). We had no idea what would be in store. What we found was sunny heat, liveliness and the smiles of a humble people - the Thai.
To describe our exact summary of events is to write a small essay, so I will do my best to be more succinct but not just list the sequence of our travels.
Our trip began Mar 29th in the early morning with a off-meter taxi ride to Hong Kong airport. The off-meter rides are a discounted method of getting to the airport and back. You just need to phone a guy named Denis. Flight from the airport went well. We were all itching with excitement to get on out and exploring in Bangkok!
Our first location was Khaosan Road - a bustling little area that is informally dedicated to Thailand's backpacking community. It was a bit of a culture shock to see so many young white Europeans! The retro rock music playing on some unseen stereo made me think that I had be whisked away to a 70s hippie experience. The second sensation that literally hit us was the blistering heat: it was bright sun and 37C when we stepped out of our A/C taxi. I instantly regretted wearing two shirts and shoes. I quickly learned to wear a light coloured t-shirt and sandals.
Khaosan Road was our first experience with the food stands that really define Asia. Hong Kong's food stands are become scarce due to regulation, and most of them are larger and built into actual building stalls. The food stands of Thailand are so small (about the size of an ice-cream freezer you see in the corner store) that there is often only enough room on top for the wok and some sauces to the side.
This was our first major trip out of Hong Kong (Macau had only been a day trip). We had no idea what would be in store. What we found was sunny heat, liveliness and the smiles of a humble people - the Thai.
To describe our exact summary of events is to write a small essay, so I will do my best to be more succinct but not just list the sequence of our travels.
Our trip began Mar 29th in the early morning with a off-meter taxi ride to Hong Kong airport. The off-meter rides are a discounted method of getting to the airport and back. You just need to phone a guy named Denis. Flight from the airport went well. We were all itching with excitement to get on out and exploring in Bangkok!
Our first location was Khaosan Road - a bustling little area that is informally dedicated to Thailand's backpacking community. It was a bit of a culture shock to see so many young white Europeans! The retro rock music playing on some unseen stereo made me think that I had be whisked away to a 70s hippie experience. The second sensation that literally hit us was the blistering heat: it was bright sun and 37C when we stepped out of our A/C taxi. I instantly regretted wearing two shirts and shoes. I quickly learned to wear a light coloured t-shirt and sandals.
Khaosan Road was our first experience with the food stands that really define Asia. Hong Kong's food stands are become scarce due to regulation, and most of them are larger and built into actual building stalls. The food stands of Thailand are so small (about the size of an ice-cream freezer you see in the corner store) that there is often only enough room on top for the wok and some sauces to the side.
Khaosan Road!
Padthai for 35 Baht - 1.1 CAD!
Melody is happy here :)
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Mar 17/18 Weekend
Been falling behind on updates lately! We've been getting busy with our midterms (Melody has midterms, all my work is devoted to my project grous) and it leaves us with little time for going out or updating the blog.
This past weekend however, was a time when we had to go outside and enjoy the nice weather, because it was a rare period full of sunshine. One thing we didn't realize until we arrived here is how overcast it is on a weekly basis. Getting one day of sunshine is an amazing thing. Getting 2 days in a row is lottery luck!
So we woke up on Saturday and went down to the water and enjoyed the warm sunny heat!
This past weekend however, was a time when we had to go outside and enjoy the nice weather, because it was a rare period full of sunshine. One thing we didn't realize until we arrived here is how overcast it is on a weekly basis. Getting one day of sunshine is an amazing thing. Getting 2 days in a row is lottery luck!
So we woke up on Saturday and went down to the water and enjoyed the warm sunny heat!
Melody enjoying the sun and water
A wider shot, showing the bay
Jordan in the sun
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Rare commodity
It seems that foam ear plugs are a rare commodity in Hong Kong. My supply of ear plugs for sleeping are running out, and I first thought that I could simply get some at our Park n Shop convenience store on campus, or at a Watson's (similar to London Drugs and Shoppers') here. But nope - at a majority of the places I have been to, they only sell silicon ear plugs. I suppose those would work, but none of the packaging says how many decibels it blocks out, and I'd like to know that before I spent $5 CAD on a pair of ear plugs. So if anyone knows a place that sells regular foam ear plugs for a decent, expected price, please let me know...:P
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