HK: The Peak & Avenue of Stars

Last night in HK. Destination: The Peak. Hong Kong's most popular attraction, the Peak provided stunning views of the city. We made it just in time to watch dusk fall. Our plan was to take the tram up the mountain, but the que (or line) was quite long. Thankfully we were able to barter with a taxi driver. 

Proof I was actually there :)

 It was a rather hazy night, but the skyline was still pretty.

Taking the tram, up or down, is a must when visiting The Peak. Once again, we "tapped" on with our Octopus cards and hopped aboard.

Final day in HK. 

A rare sighting of one of the famous HK boats.

The Avenue of Stars is just like Hollywood Boulevard (not that I've ever been there). Famous actors and actresses have their hand prints up and down the boardwalk. I found Jackie Chan!

Fried Squid anyone?
It did NOT smell good.

Thanks for a great time Hong Kong. Until next time..!

HK: Stanley Market

Day number two. Ate breakfast. Jumped on the city bus, using our handy-dandy Octopus Cards, and made our way up the mountain. Destination: Stanley. Nestled in the mountains beside a beautiful body of water, dozens of shops are open for business! 

On our way!

 Waiting for bus 970.

 Although it was a rather long bus ride, it was very scenic. Providing quick yet stunning views, our bus continued up the mountains.

We arrived!

 On a look out point, you could write a love letter. I did not join in this merriment.

 Boats, with fishermen working on board.

 It looked as if they were working with cotton.

"Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.…" 
Matthew 4:18-20

 Lunch is served!

Just kidding! This is what I call lunch! Pizza bigger than your face and bigger than your plate! Needless to say, I did not finish my piece. Maybe next time.

After filling our stomachs with lunch, we headed for the markets. Girls + shopping = always!

 A glimpse of Stanley. This was just outside our place of lunch.

Good-bye Stanley. Thanks for the purchases and the ice cream!

HK: Lady's Market

After exploring the CBD, we took a quick pit stop at our hotel. Rest. Get a snack. Recharge camera batteries. Next stop: Lady's Market. If you want to eat interesting food or buy souvenirs/knock off goods, the Lady's Market is the place to go!

Yes. This is scaffolding. Yes it is bamboo and string. Yes, it does not look safe. Yes, I tried to walk as quickly as possible.

 Buildings and people everywhere. The two things my mother loves most!

Western Market. The end of the line for the ding-ding trolley.

 Traffic. Traffic. Traffic.

 HK's delivery men. I think no-shirts we a part of their dress code.

 Welcome the the Lady's Market. Can you say, "NEON!"

 A snapshot of some of the "interesting food". Shortly after I snapped this photo, the ladies started scolding me in Cantonese. Even though I know no Cantonese, I could definitely tell they were scolding me! Anger is universal.

 Delicious?

 Fish balls - still not sure what they were, except spicy!

 More neon and more people.

I really enjoyed the Lady's Market. I came away with some good deals - including two purses, a scarf, and some shoes.

Hong Kong

Third year in Singapore.
Third year teaching.

A few weeks ago, I hoped on a plane and went to Hong  Kong. Thanks to a public holiday, we had an extended weekend - one of the many perks to living in Singapore. Although there were protests, I mean "an event" (what most people in Hong Kong were calling it), we trekked all over the city.

First stop, Ding-Ding Trolley. Using our Octopus cards, we were able to get around using the public transportation.

Look what I found! Sharkfin anyone?

 Murals were all over HK. This is one of several.

Walking around the Central Business District. The Hong Kong Flag (on far left) and the China flag (in the middle) blowing in the wind.

As we continued our walk through the Central Business District, we can across some barricades. Our curiosity got the best of us.

One of the peaceful protesters. 

Yellow ribbons were the symbol of this protest.

All the people want is to be heard. To have a voice. 

Permanently camped out, first aid, food, water, and shelter was available for all.

Post Fire Make-Over

BEFORE...

View from door - When one walked in, they would be in the library corner

View of front of classroom

Miss Jorgenson's area

View of whole classroom from door

AFTER...

View from the door - how many differences can you note?

Other view from the door. I requested the classroom be flipped - this use to be the back of the classroom. Now it is the front - whiteboard and Miss Jorgenson's area

Math Wall

Our library corner - kids are always fighting over the red chair and the bean bag

Work table in our writing table

Art wall - I would like to get curtains for the windows

Empty classroom

Miss Jorgenson's area

Thanks to my girls, I have some beautiful artwork on my whiteboard