This is Reid’s mom, Christy. He is letting me add my two cents from
our visit to him in Hong Kong! It ended up being a bit of my own memory diary
of the week we spent experiencing life on the other side of the world. A chance
of a life time!
Saturday 3/28
Reid’s brother and sister, Grant and Paige, and I flew out of GB for
about 1 hour to Chicago and then 16 hours from O’Hare to Hong Kong. We watched
more movies than I have seen in the last two years and slept as much as we
could sitting up. I wouldn’t recommend United Airlines for their ground staff,
food or comfort. We weren’t planning on checking in our luggage because I knew
Reid didn’t get his until 3 days after he arrived, and we were only staying for
6 so I didn’t want to risk it. Because our “carry-ons” were so stuffed they
acted like we were crazy. (We’ve carried these same bags on other flights but I
understood, it was fine we checked them in). I said to the guy, “Will our bags
be on the same plane?” And he said, “Well, where else would they be? Do you
think another plane is going to take your luggage?” I said I wouldn’t know,
somehow my son’s luggage didn’t arrive with him. Gheeze. Who talks like that to
a customer? Rrrrrrr. Oh well, he has to go home with himself. The flight
staff was very nice. We were happy and looking forward to our vacation! It was
exciting to finally land and see Reid for the first time in 3 months!
Sunday 3/29
Technically we arrived in the evening Hong Kong time, but it was
morning U.S. time! I guess because of the lack of sleep and long travel we
welcomed the night’s sleep no problem. Once we got in. When we checked in the
credit card I called in before I left was flagged fraudulent and would not pay
for the hotel I booked with it months prior. The only way they wanted to
un-flag it verifying it was me was by calling my cell phone, which doesn’t get
service in China. They even admitted I called to notify them the dates I would
be out of the country and where, but she said something like that was just the
customer service center or something. What? I had to give the hotel the cash I
was planning on using for getting around. They finally took the hold off the
next day but I needed to find a U.S. cash machine. The best way to learn the
ropes, desperation.
When we walked into our room the first night it was very small and
there was only one bed and a small window which is not what I paid for. The
desk clerk did not want to let us change rooms and there was a difficult
language barrier. Reid put my computer in front of him and said “…this is the
picture on her reservation, that is not the room she got”. It took some doing
but we moved to a new room, and then to another one the next day because of a
better option. Finally settled! We went for our first walk in the city and
experienced our first “fast food” restaurant. In this neighborhood time was
money and there isn’t a lot of room so sit close and make it quick! They will
even help you pick your order :). Apparently watching your neighbors eat and
listening to their conversation is socially acceptable as well. I’m sure we
were quite the spectacle to them ourselves. We wondered what things we do that
are considered rude to their culture. After all, I had to apologize for Grant’s
manners several times before we even left America. What must they think?
Moday 3/30
We did a lot of walking around the Harbor and checking out the skyscrapers.
The city is very busy and most people walk or take public transportation. It
seemed like the only people driving were in Audis, Lexus, Ferraris or even
Lamborghinis. We went to PolyU and attended part of Reid’s business class, met
his favorite professor and ate at his usual cafe. Nice to see what he has been
doing on a “typical” school day. After checking out his dorm, taste testing
unusual Hong Kong fruits, and a ping-pong match, we regrouped for an
adventurous dinner with his local roommate, Simon. Upon Grant and Paige’s
request he found us a place that served the unmentionable. OK, I will mention
it, but it is not for the weak. Each of them sampled a medley of pig ear, pig
tongue, pig intestine, pig blood and ox stomach. Well, they did. There is no
other way to explain it without just putting it out there. Eww!
It was great to finally meet Simon in person. He is a really nice
guy originally from Hong Kong. We have face-timed with him from home and like
to ask him how we should do things here. We have probably taught him that
Americans can be a little crazy.
We ended our first full day with a few hours at a night street
market. Addicting! We talked about buying an extra suit case just to bring
things home.
Tuesday 3/31
Diamond Hill is a beautiful park on a hill we visited in the middle
of the hustle and bustle of the city. It had unique structures, trees, and
large pond with fish. Then we walked around Hong Kong Island while Reid was at
class, which was all a busy city atmosphere. We took a ride on the big Ferris wheel
to get a good view. When we stop back in our room we tend to doze off so at 8pm
we took a nice fast paced jog to catch the festival of lights show shooting out
from all of the skyscrapers at the Harbor. After that the boys joined a local
basketball game and Paige and I went back to the street market!
Wednesday 4/1
Today while Reid went to school we did some more fancier shopping in
another part of the city. When he got back we rode up to the Peak (a mountain
top look-out) on a train track for the highest view of the city. Gorgeous. Then
a hop, skip and a jump to get to some horse races across town. We didn’t stay
long since we weren’t betting and it was getting late but it was cool to see.
Back to the hotel for much needed rest.
Thursday 4/2
Reid had an early class but when he got back we discovered the
Easter bunny came to our hotel in Hong Kong! We couldn’t believe he knew we
were there. Reid got USA snacks, and Grant and Paige got China treats. Everyone
got some items from the street market. They each found eggs with Hong Kong
money it, too. So fun to still have the holiday together! We decided to try a
nearby pizza place to give our guts a break from foreign food. I don’t know if
it was really the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life or just good timing, but
it was delicious. Again, now we were in a hurry to fit in our plans. We hustled
to get to two different ferries to Cheung Chau Island, one of the most story
book places I have ever been. An old traditional Hong Kong city/island of
rustic homes and outside markets, locals of all ages riding old fashioned bikes
with baskets and carts, and a walk along the water to beautiful huge rock
formations and caves. Amazing.
When we got back we dressed up for a fancy Chinese dinner at a nice
restaurant. Still embracing the whole experience, once again Grant and Paige
ordered items like squid with tentacles/suction cups, fungus, and century eggs
(aged and black). Nothing they cared to take a second bite of. A few other
plates and appetizers we ordered went over much better.
Friday 4/3
Paige said, “Just when I thought yesterday I saw the most beautiful
place there was, this is even more beautiful.” If that was even possible. We
went hiking to a beach looking out at the South China Sea with mountains in and
around it. We hiked through the woodsy hills to a natural pond surrounded by
giant boulders. The “kids” climbed to the rock known for people jumping 25+
feet into the water and jumped in! They swam until the last possible minute so
we had to RUN to catch a ride back on a boat. We were dragging a bit from the
hike and the rest of the week, so running through sand was not pretty. At the
boat rental was another language barrier. All we could really make out was
“Four can go,” pointing at us. So we went. Walking out on to the beach looking
for a boat. Well, there were a few boats. And no dock. Just a large boat
floating about 50 yards out into the water, a tiny fishing boat about 10 yards
in, and two more small boats 20 yards in with open sides and a China man
standing behind each one holding it down. We looked back at the boat renter and
all he would say was “four can go”. We begged, worried our boat would leave,
“Which one??” and still heard, “Four can go.” Ahhh!! Finally as the renter
walked down to the beach he pointed to one of the boats being held on to. We
ran through the water to climb into the back of a 30 foot boat with benches of
people in it. Reid and I were the last ones in sitting on either side of the
driver thinking we got the bum deal, until he stood up by the big steering
wheel, cranked up the music, and turned up the motor. Water spraying from both
sides and speeding over the waves passing beautiful scenery through mountains
and past caves. It was a half-hour thrill ride to end our final day in this
beautiful, amazing country.
As for my two youngest travelers, they sought out one last adventure
Mom wasn’t too thrilled about. They were determined to get a massage from one
of the many local businesses we saw on the street. Once they found a place they
were comfortable with they got their massage and, as I understand it, will
share their own story. It was a nice way to cap off the night as we couldn’t
stay awake for another minute.
Saturday 4/4
Time to go. Expecting another long walk and connecting MTR (train)
rides to the airport with our even more packed luggage, I opted for the
door-to-door cab ride. Another happy family decision and experience. A very
friendly cab driver loaded us up, took our picture, and gave me a discount
(although the poor guy had to tell me about 10 times for me to understand).
Couldn’t have ended better. Hugs and good-byes for now at the airport. Until
May Reid, enjoy the rest of your travels! Thank you for bringing this touch of
the world to us. I love you!
