finally made it to hong kong!!
this day has been full of traveling. we got to the airport WAY to early this morning, but the bangkok airport is the best airport i've ever been too. me and adam loaded up on free samples of coco cups :)
i traveled on my own to my university, which was fun and scary and exciting all at the same time. I got a great view of Hong Kong on the double decker bus I had to take to get to the metro station. By the time i reached to the metro station i was sick of carrying around all my luggage and wasn't really sure what to do and i must have looked so lost becase a local came and asked me where i was going. He pointed me in the direction of the metro, and when i took the escalator up i found myself in a really fabulous mall with nice stores like armani exhange, marc jacobs, etc. I would have loved to hang out there for a while (of course) but i felt so ridiculous w/ two huge suitcases and my travel clothes on. the metro was attached to the mall and as i approached it i totally freaked out when I saw HOW MANY PEOPLE were coming & going. It would have been nuts, especially w/ all my luggage. So I went back down the escalator and got in a cab.
My taxi driver was rocking out to the Beatles, so the cab ride was fun.
He dropped me off at the front of my university and realized that I didn't know what dorm I was actually staying in....I ended up having to get another taxi to take me to the other side of the university, only a 10min walk but by now my bags felt like 200 pounds. the residence office was closed so I had to walk to the security office and all they did was give me a key.... about 20min later i found my dorm.
in the elevator i met the nicest girl, carrie, a local and she offered to take me to the market really quick so i could get some snacks & water and use the ATM. she was such a sweetheart!! when we got back she wanted to facebook, so she showed me how to use the computers & now here i am. but i think i should go upstairs and upack and shower...
also, the locals here have british accents and its the funniest thing i've ever heard :)
Monday, June 29, 2009
more on Thailand....
so, we left Thailand today, it broke my heart.
I LOVED it.
While we were in Phuket we stayed in some villas built into the jungle and it felt like we were on the jurassic park ride at universal studios when we took the mini car to our villa. Definitely made us feel like we were in thailand.
We got back from Phuket and went to another temple in bangkok, this time there were not really any other tourists which was a big plus. We got to walk around through most of the sanctuary and saw the places where the monks would live. Every buddhist man at age 20 is supposed to live in a temple for 1-3months to learn buddhism. The day we were there they were having a ceremony for the "graduated" monks, so that was very cool to see. Also, monks aren't allowed to touch or be touched by women, which obviously tempted me to see what would happen if i just happened to bump into one..... ;)
the next day we went to the chatuchak market which was so big and so cool to see. each vendor had something different, and even if it was the same product they were unique styles. i bought some handmade silk, it is pink w/ blank elephants on it, and it's going up in my house next year for sure... so hopefully my roommates will like it.
Later that night we went to an area called si loam and walked around Lamphini park. the park was really beautiful and it was different than any american park because it had what looked like a playgroud for adults, but it was basically an outdoor gym for them to work out... and there were a lot of thais using it.
in the afternoon kylee & i went and got a traditional thai massage... which was probably the best and weirdest massage ever. for $20 you get 2 hours of twisting and stretching and massaging every muscle on your body... even your kneecaps, and i had such a hard time controlling my giggling... especially since at one point i was completely raised off the ground. crazzzy.
We went to the si loam night market and went to a little thai restaurant/bar and had some beer and thai food for our last night in bangkok. kylee and i tried the Chang beer, a thai beer and lucky for me, Thais love heineken and consider it a local brew so i got one of those also. on our way back we got caught in a downpour & had to sprint to the metro, where adam told me and kylee he wanted "To Bang Sue" ;) a joke that no one will get until i can upload my pictures.
in conclusion, i love thailand and i have a ton more stories & memories from the trip to share.
I LOVED it.
While we were in Phuket we stayed in some villas built into the jungle and it felt like we were on the jurassic park ride at universal studios when we took the mini car to our villa. Definitely made us feel like we were in thailand.
We got back from Phuket and went to another temple in bangkok, this time there were not really any other tourists which was a big plus. We got to walk around through most of the sanctuary and saw the places where the monks would live. Every buddhist man at age 20 is supposed to live in a temple for 1-3months to learn buddhism. The day we were there they were having a ceremony for the "graduated" monks, so that was very cool to see. Also, monks aren't allowed to touch or be touched by women, which obviously tempted me to see what would happen if i just happened to bump into one..... ;)
the next day we went to the chatuchak market which was so big and so cool to see. each vendor had something different, and even if it was the same product they were unique styles. i bought some handmade silk, it is pink w/ blank elephants on it, and it's going up in my house next year for sure... so hopefully my roommates will like it.
Later that night we went to an area called si loam and walked around Lamphini park. the park was really beautiful and it was different than any american park because it had what looked like a playgroud for adults, but it was basically an outdoor gym for them to work out... and there were a lot of thais using it.
in the afternoon kylee & i went and got a traditional thai massage... which was probably the best and weirdest massage ever. for $20 you get 2 hours of twisting and stretching and massaging every muscle on your body... even your kneecaps, and i had such a hard time controlling my giggling... especially since at one point i was completely raised off the ground. crazzzy.
We went to the si loam night market and went to a little thai restaurant/bar and had some beer and thai food for our last night in bangkok. kylee and i tried the Chang beer, a thai beer and lucky for me, Thais love heineken and consider it a local brew so i got one of those also. on our way back we got caught in a downpour & had to sprint to the metro, where adam told me and kylee he wanted "To Bang Sue" ;) a joke that no one will get until i can upload my pictures.
in conclusion, i love thailand and i have a ton more stories & memories from the trip to share.
Friday, June 26, 2009
kickin it in Thailand
we made it to thailand!
the flight wasn't as bad as we expected. we actually we got to sleep most of the way but me and kylee both swelled up. it felt like there was a layer of jelly under our skin, must have been the pressure but we were definitely rockin the cankles for awhile. and the flight made kylee a little delirious... she thought we was in Germany :)
the first morning we went to the grand palace, where the kings used to live. we also visited the temple which was sooo beautiful. it was made out of gold & rubies & sapphires & emeralds.
thailand actually produces a lot of gorgeous jewelry made with gemstones, so we went to the jewelry factory and of course i couldn't resist making a purchase :/
the food here is really good & spicy, so i love it. but the fruit is AMAZING. we've been snacking on some mangosteen, lychee, and rambustan that we bought at a small market in bangkok.
we visited Phuket today, which is phukin awesome! it is definitely the most beautiful beach we have ever been to. the water is very blue and soo warm.
basically, we are having a great time and i love it here :)
and even though we are on the other side of the world, we heard the news... RIP MJ :/
the flight wasn't as bad as we expected. we actually we got to sleep most of the way but me and kylee both swelled up. it felt like there was a layer of jelly under our skin, must have been the pressure but we were definitely rockin the cankles for awhile. and the flight made kylee a little delirious... she thought we was in Germany :)
the first morning we went to the grand palace, where the kings used to live. we also visited the temple which was sooo beautiful. it was made out of gold & rubies & sapphires & emeralds.
thailand actually produces a lot of gorgeous jewelry made with gemstones, so we went to the jewelry factory and of course i couldn't resist making a purchase :/
the food here is really good & spicy, so i love it. but the fruit is AMAZING. we've been snacking on some mangosteen, lychee, and rambustan that we bought at a small market in bangkok.
we visited Phuket today, which is phukin awesome! it is definitely the most beautiful beach we have ever been to. the water is very blue and soo warm.
basically, we are having a great time and i love it here :)
and even though we are on the other side of the world, we heard the news... RIP MJ :/
Monday, June 22, 2009
.... 24 hours to go.
I've finally finished packing. officially.
I had to repack because I was 15 pounds over the weight limit.... now, i'm 25 pounds under because i'm going to check two bags. so, lots of room for shopping!! (and yes, Cherry is coming to china!)
M&D are taking me to the airport tomorrow, I take off at 3:10pm - so watch for me ;) and arrive in Bangkok on June 25 at 12:05AM.
I checked the weather - lots & lots of rain, but that doesn't change the fact that in just a few more days i'll be in THAILAND! holla holla
and I get to see my big sister and big brother. (we'll miss you jopio)
I woke up this morning and was so excited and then nervous and then happy and then sad to leave and i can't control myself. Deb said by the time i land i'll be "squirrely". hahaha
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
