explorations.

After sleeping off the jet-lag Faith, Erin, and I were ready to explore our new home.  We got ready and packed our bags for the concierge to come pick up for us.  The first thing we wanted to do was walk around the Peninsula before we had to check out of the room.  First stop: the pool.  We had seen pictures of the Peninsula pool from one of the hotel's books they had in our suite.  It was just as fabulous as the pictures.  I got out my camera and snapped a picture as I was walking in and was told by a staff member that no pictures were allowed.  Bummer...

swimming pool at the Peninsula

We also stopped by the work out facility and the spa.  I could spend an entire vacation in that spa.  It was so beautiful and relaxing even in just the waiting area.  After our tour of the hotel we made our way to the dining room for breakfast.  There were so many choices at the buffet, Belgian waffles to pork dumplings.

Steffan made it to Hong Kong!

my huge breakfast at the Peninsula

Erin sipping coffee

After breakfast we decided it was time to take a look at our surroundings.  I felt so small walking out into the street full of people and sky scraping buildings.  We found some typical Asian market places that smelled terribly of fish...

unidentified foods at the Asian market

Hong Kong loves KAPPA!

We stumbled upon a large staircase in between Tiffany's and the Asian outlet mall and decided to see where it would lead us.  It took us to this amazing park right in the middle of Hong Kong called Kowlong Park.  It reminded me of Central Park in New York City, a bunch of trees and flowers in the middle of a huge city.  Erin needed to use the restroom so we stopped by one in the park.  Little did we know that Asian bathrooms are a little different from those in the United States.

Thai Chi students walking down the steps from the park

Chinese aviary

Faith and I at a really cool sculpture inside the park

FLAMINGOS!

first experience with Asian toilets...

poor Erin was the guinea pig

As we continued on our journey through the streets we came across the 5th avenue/Rodeo Drive of Hong Kong.  This shopping puts anything in America to shame.  All of the stores are huge.  They are multiple stories high and some are also underground.

Marc Jacobs

Prada

Dior

Tiffany's!

This is the store I was most excited about.  I had never been to an H&M so I did some damage there.  Brandi, you are going to be so jealous!!

In the middle of the shopping area we found a giant sculpture.  It was so cool.  We offered to help a couple of Chinese women take a picture in front of it and they returned the favor.  The statue was surrounded by beautiful architecture and an atrium about four stories off of the ground.  We saw several brides and what looked like prom pictures being taken in this area.

helicopter leaving the launch pad from the top of the Peninsula...makes the Rolls Royce look like a taxi cab

At this time we needed to check into our room at the YMCA with the rest of the group.  All of our luggage was still at the Peninsula next door so we had a bellhop run it over to the other hotel for us.  The Peninsula staff seemed disappointed they we were downgrading ourselves...so were we :(.  Walking across a busy street with a bellhop toting all 9 of our suitcases was quite hilarious though.

see what I mean...