SHOP, SHOP, SHOP THEN MAYBE MORE SHOPPING!!

Monday I ventured off on my own for the day. I was up for the free breakfast buffet, which was fabulous. Emma was still sleeping when I left the hotel and headed to the "Harbour City Mall". This massive structure is clean, shiny and sleek. It is home to many top-end stores and definitely out of my price range. Since I am not a window shopper, I spent about 40 minutes walking around and then split this designer haven. I tackled the rather confusing, but very clean subway to "Mong Kok District" -- this is a very famous area where the majority of people live in Hong Kong.

I decided to make a pit stop at the "Kowloon Park" which was very picturesque and relaxing from the craziness of the streets. While there, I visited the "Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre Whitfield Barracks" -- that's a mouthful. Firstly, it had posted everywhere "disinfected 4 times per day". I noticed some other facilities also mentioned the number of times disinfection occurred. This little museum was showcasing the many awards Hong Kong has won from "UNESCO Asia-Pacific Culture Heritage Conservation". These multiple awards were for restoring numerous cultural sites in Hong Kong including churches, synagogues, and ancient temples. The land that is home to the Park and museum was formerly British Army troop barracks during colonial days. There are only 2 sets of barracks left with the museum and park built around them. The former barracks are now offices -- they were built between 1860 and 1910.

From this stop I headed to the "ladies market" -- can you say "SHOES" -- actually they are little Asian slippers which I loved and bought 5 pairs!!!! Part of these purchases stemmed from the fact that I wore the wrong shoes and my feet were killing me and I needed something to wear to be able to continue along the market stalls. I trolled the electronics sector looking for an ITOUCH 16 GB which is discontinued -- everyone was pushing the 32 GB but I declined. I then wandered into the sports sector looking for "Yao Ming" basketball shirts for my nephews, but there were none to be had.

Emma and I hooked up at dinner and ate on the waterfront at "Bulldogs", which is a British pub-type restaurant. The weather is chilly at night and we ate outside warmed by a glowing heat lantern. We then headed back to the "Night Market" where we continued our souvenir shopping -- so much fun and packed with people haggling for their goods.

Tuesday Emma and I found ourselves back at the "ladies market" where we started going into dingy backrooms bargaining for Louis Vuitton, Channel and Prada bags. It was so mysterious and at one point we had to scatter because a pack of police were approaching to catch this illegal contraband. We also had an absolutely delicious iced coffee. The Chinese have fantastic iced coffee and iced tea of various flavours. And so began our illicit Louis Vuitton shopping and multiple purchases -- my lucky friends and family will be pleased with all my market purchases -- haggling is no problem for me at all!!!!

We decided to take the "double decker bus tour" of the city at night. It was a bit windy and 1 was happy it only lasted 1 hour. When the tour ended, we watched the sound and light show on the waterfront looking from Kowloon Peninsula over to Hong Kong Island -- it was pretty with all the lights at night. The Christmas lights are truly amazing here!!

Wednesday (today) Emma went to her last free breakfast and I decided to sleep in. Unfortunately the hammering above me kept me awake and after a call to the duty manager, I received a complimentary breakfast serving "the works" and a delayed check out time from noon till 6:00 all for my inconvenience of sleep while listening to the renovations above me.

Today had us travel back to the "ladies market" for last minute purchases -- we went "Louis V" crazy -- some fantastic deals. We are loaded down -- our bags are jammed and we may have a slight overage of weight at the airport, but I am no stranger to trivial things like heavy bags. I lost my reading glasses in the market somewhere. This is the second pair I have lost since my arrival overseas. I lost a pair in Abu Dhabi and now a pair in Hong Kong. This is why I like to buy cheap reading glasses. I just picked up a pair for $15 -- I was blind all day!! Emma and I are flying out tonight. Our flight leaves Thursday morning at 01:20 a.m. (in the morning). We are booked on the 9:10 p.m. shuttle bus to the airport. We currently sit in our local Starbuck's listening to Christmas music -- Andy, Andrea Bocelli, Frank, Barbra -- it is fabulous!!!

The Hong Kong trip has been enjoyable and I would return one day. It is really a city for shopping and eating -- not much else. Originally I thought I could live and teach here, but I have since changed my mind -- too busy and crazy. Quite frankly, even I, Loretta MacEachern, can only shop so much!! It will be a culture shock returning to Abu Dhabi which is not as vibrant and colourful as Hong Kong. Back to school on Sunday and I only have 2 more report cards to finish. We will arrive home on Thursday morning with a 4 hour gain in time. I will have 2 days to chill and prepare before school on Sunday. Pictures to follow soon.

Goodbye from Hong Kong -- keep smiling Buddha!!!!!