Hello Hong Kong

Hello Hong Kong. I honestly didn't know what to expect when I visited Hong Kong. I didn't really know enough about it, I guess. I mean, it's China... and yet not China. I knew that it was urban. But what does that even really mean?

It turns out that this surprise was a good one. I LOVED Hong Kong, completely, immediately, and with alacrity. As it happens, I only had two days there, having decided to get back on the ship and sail for two days to Shanghai. I never really considered the option of spending the whole time in Hong Kong and flying to Shanghai to meet the ship, although now, in hindsight, that option seems obvious. I didn't even know that I would want to stick around until I arrived.

Without time to plan, to research, I latched onto the first fun option that presented itself: a day at Kong Disneyland. At first, it was just a cheap option for something fun (and a bit familiar) to do. But as the time to arrival in port got closer, I got more and more excited. By the time I was climbing onto the special Disney Resort Line train with the Mickey Mouse ear windows on the train, I was grinning from ear to ear and bouncing in my seat.

I spent the entire day schlepping around the park, amazed at all the similarities and differences I observed, too many to name. I rode Space Mountain 6 times because there was no line! Can you believe it? I bought mouse ears, watched a live High Schol Musical Show in Chinese, and almost lost 2 fingers on the Dumbo ride. (I even got a chance to see the Disney first aid station to get patched up -- luckily the feeling has mostly returned to my fingers).

The next day I spent in the ladies market. I have no idea why it's named that, as there were plenty of men there and they sold items for women and men.

All in all, Hong Kong was amazing, but all I got was the merest taste. I will be going back, and with enough time on my schedule to experience all it has to offer. That's the thing about this voyage -- it's a gateway drug for the travel addiction of a lifetime. I'll be back for another fix soon.