Hong Kong was amazing! We had a great time in the city and Amanda was an amazing hostess. The city was so efficient and we did not even feel like we were in Asia as there were so many expats living there. The skyline was impressive and we took a ferry to Kowloon, shopped at a street market called Ladies Market, rode the Peak tram up to the top of the hill with amazing views of the Harbor and city, and shopped our hearts out (although we would have liked to do much more). We had delicious dim sum with Amanda that we are still talking about! We also went out in Lan Kwai Fong and Soho 2 nights and had a blast! So much so that we slept for 16 hours once we got to Bangkok. By the end of our weekend there we felt very comfortable and could see ourselves living there!
We are now in Bangkok and it is definitely an entirely different feel from the super efficient and easy to nagivate city of Hong Kong (WE LOVED HK SO MUCH!!!). We arrived yesterday and we are staying in Khao San--which is predominantly the backpacker's area. Think lots of euros mixed with burning man fans. Today we did a river tour of several temples, then saw the Grand Palace where the Royal Family of Thailand once resided, and then took a tuk tuk (small form of transit--think thai looking golf cart) around to different temples (wats). We met a man who gave us a private tour of a temple and explained a lot of the Thai lifestyle. Pictures of the Royal Family are everywhere! It's kind of nuts how much they like him. Also, there are monks everywhere...even in cabs! We got our first thai massages which we laughed the whole way through since we were laying next to each other. Not gonna lie, they were kind of painful but only 5 bucks for an hour. We also learned that people are always trying to take you to a travel agent today. We did book a trip up north and burned through some thai bahts (money) today but that's what it's all a baht, right?!?! (insert chuckle and snort).
Quote of the day: "That bird is throwing up a cobra!" explanation: there are statues of that all over.
We are learning slang already. For example, everyone says "same same" and means anything you want it to. especially when they don't know what you are saying in english, they just respond "same same"
Tomorrow we head to Chiang Mai. Then, the next morning we trek into the mountains for an overnight hike that will include an elephant ride--WOOHOO!
All for now, but we will add pictures soon and know that we are safe, relaxed, laughing, and enjoying the vastly different sights, sounds and scenery in this far off place, known as "The Land of Smiles". Everyone (and I mean everyone) smiles here... such a happy, welcoming place.
xoxox,
megan and sara
(bunny and boots - same same)
