He's just such a love.
It was totally worth it to endure a gazillion hours on planes (in a way, the plane from Boston to JFK is the most frustrating one you can imagine -- a 36 minute flight turned into a marathon taxiing situation lasting 2 1/2 hours. I could almost drive to New York quicker, but never mind that). You know I never complain, so I won't dwell on the plane.
I do recommend, for the 15 hours from JFK to Hong Kong, that you have the row either filled with family members or to yourself. One gent was stretched out full length in his row (he must not have been very tall), and I did envy him -- love you, Bridget and Phil! -- because not being next to strangers came in second. Am I the only one who notices the hellishness of all this? I don't see others whining about the direness of the situation. Maybe they take Nick's advice and self-medicate heavily!
But the opportunity to see a different side of the world, and most of all, this darling -- well, it was worth it. I will try not to burden you with the many photos I took, but it will be hard!
What impressed me about Hong Kong is the crazy urban busy-ness juxtaposed with the old-world Asian-ness. If you haven't been there, you can't imagine how much activity and how many high-rises are crammed into such a small area.
In Kowloon -- across the bay and just as congested as the Hong Kong Island -- we saw the streets devoted to one product each. For instance, the street with all flowers, and the street with all fish. Here Natasha is pointing out the larvae and such you can buy for your birds in the Bird Street. (We didn't take Francis in this street, but took turns waiting with him at the entrance.)
All this is crowded up against mountains of buildings to house all the folks who go about their work here in a place where, above all, commerce reigns.
Of course Nick had to take Papa to get a genuine Hong Kong suit:
For a fellow who gets along fine without ever really thinking about what he wears, this was a crazy outing!
And then, just a bit out of the city, the respite of a truly lovely hike up the Dragon's Back. Reminding me that I need to get out and up more (huff, puff).
See it? The dragon's back?
And then we tried to keep up with the indefatigable Natasha, pushing a very familiar looking face:
{It's at moments like this that I feel taken right back 32 years ago to my own babies... he looks so like them! While also looking like his mom!}
{How lovely is that blanket! Knit by her mom, Shelly -- so beautiful and cottony for the hot days/AC challenges of this place!}
More soon!
