Sunday, 17 August 2008
Thursday, 14 August 2008
Mai Beth is Priceless...
After spending some time in Hong Kong Ty and I headed to Brisbane to see my brother Phan, Clara and my beautiful niece Mai. When she first saw us she was a bit hesitant but didn't take long to get over her shyness. Ty and I were so tired because we hadn't slept for about 26 hours. It is impossible to sleep on an areoplane in economy class. We had a nanna's nap and then went out for dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant that they frequent. Beth sat in a high chair and had her own menu which she read in great detail, it was so funny.
The next day Clara and I went to DFO for some retail therapy. Brisbane DFO is awesome there are so many bargains. I managed to buy 3 pairs of shoes on sale in my size, which doesn't happen very often, it's very hard to find size 5's on sale. After two and a half hours of shopping we both had some new clothes for summer and presents for Beth too. Beth had stayed home with Phan and Ty who were watching the footy, they taught her how to do the signs for "goal" and "holding the ball", which was hilarious.
We were also lucky enough to see Beth at Kindy Roo. I know I'm biased but she is so smart and adorable. Watching her play at Kind Roo I had tears in my eyes, seeing her grow up into a confident and loving girl just made me so happy. The few days I spent with Beth were some of the happiest days of my life. She would give me kisses whenever I wanted them and would spin, dance, talk and laugh constantly. I can't imagine life without her, she completes our family and every moment with her is a gift.
The next day Clara and I went to DFO for some retail therapy. Brisbane DFO is awesome there are so many bargains. I managed to buy 3 pairs of shoes on sale in my size, which doesn't happen very often, it's very hard to find size 5's on sale. After two and a half hours of shopping we both had some new clothes for summer and presents for Beth too. Beth had stayed home with Phan and Ty who were watching the footy, they taught her how to do the signs for "goal" and "holding the ball", which was hilarious.
We were also lucky enough to see Beth at Kindy Roo. I know I'm biased but she is so smart and adorable. Watching her play at Kind Roo I had tears in my eyes, seeing her grow up into a confident and loving girl just made me so happy. The few days I spent with Beth were some of the happiest days of my life. She would give me kisses whenever I wanted them and would spin, dance, talk and laugh constantly. I can't imagine life without her, she completes our family and every moment with her is a gift.
Diary of our holiday...
Day 1 - We arrived in Hong Kong around 11pm the night before. The humidity and heat was initially a pleasant surprise compared to the winter chill of Adelaide. After collecting our luggage we went to get our taxi for the transfer to our hotel, and discovered that our travel agent had booked the transfer for the wrong hotel. So we just made our own way there. After checking in Ty and I just crashed, it had been a long flight and we we were exhausted. The next day after a good sleep, we used the hotel shuttle to go to Harbour City which is a massive shopping complex. It is three times the size of Marion. I couldn't believe how many shops there were, it was actually overwhelming. You can find every brand under the sun from Kookai, Fcuk to high end brands such as Gucci and Prada. I bought a Celine purse which I absolutely love!
After spending most of the day at Harbour City, Ty and I headed to Hong Kong harbour. The locals spend the afternoon sitting around the pier and surrounding areas. Ty and I decided to join them, it was fun to just observe the culture. We then spent the evening on the pre-dinner cruise, which gives you a tour of Hong Kong harbour. The boat ride lasted for about 40 minutes and Hong Kong harbour lit up at night is beautiful.
Day 2 - The next day Ty and I went to Ocean Park which is similiar to Sea World. The weather was extremely hot and humid. The first ride we went on was called the "Raging River", I am such a chicken and hate rides. I was screaming all the way as it went down the slide and we got splashed. The ride takes photos and Ty had to buy it, the look of fear on my face was priceless, I looked like I was crying! We also got to see one of the shows where dolphins and seals do all sorts of tricks, they were so cute! Overall I didn't enjoy Ocean Park, I don't think the layout has been done very well. There aren't many signs so the map can be confusing to read. It has also been built over the three levels so it's extremely hilly.
Day 3 - Ty woke up all excited because we were going to Hong Kong Disneyland. We went down to see the concierge to pick up our shuttle tickets and he told us that there was a rating 8 typhoon and Disneyland was closed. In fact everything was closed even the shopping centres so we there wasn't anywhere for us to go. I spent the day in the hotel room sleeping and watching tv. There is a show on in Hong Kong that is hilarious. It's called "Beautiful Cooking" Ty and I were like "why is it called that". It's basically a show where a group of hot girls are cooking while some men sit and judge there cooking abilities. It's such a politically incorrect show but we found it quite funny.
Day 4 - Today we finally made it to Disneyland, and I'm so glad Ty talked me into going, it was awesome! Disneyland is the kind of place where you can just be a kid again and you can't help but feel happy. The queues for all the rides and attractions weren't very long so we managed to do alot. Ty convinced me to go on Space Mountain, I sreamed my lungs out, I'm such a wuss. We also managed to get photos with most of the Disney characters which was alot of fun. We also saw a fantastic 4D show with all the theme songs from Disney movies such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Little Mermaid.
Overall we had a good time in Hong Kong, the shopping was fantastic. Prices weren't as cheap as expected but there was such a huge selection. I don't think Ty and I would go back to Hong Kong, because even though we enjoyed ourselves we were disappointed with it overall. It was just good to get away from the cold and spend time together.
After spending most of the day at Harbour City, Ty and I headed to Hong Kong harbour. The locals spend the afternoon sitting around the pier and surrounding areas. Ty and I decided to join them, it was fun to just observe the culture. We then spent the evening on the pre-dinner cruise, which gives you a tour of Hong Kong harbour. The boat ride lasted for about 40 minutes and Hong Kong harbour lit up at night is beautiful.
Day 2 - The next day Ty and I went to Ocean Park which is similiar to Sea World. The weather was extremely hot and humid. The first ride we went on was called the "Raging River", I am such a chicken and hate rides. I was screaming all the way as it went down the slide and we got splashed. The ride takes photos and Ty had to buy it, the look of fear on my face was priceless, I looked like I was crying! We also got to see one of the shows where dolphins and seals do all sorts of tricks, they were so cute! Overall I didn't enjoy Ocean Park, I don't think the layout has been done very well. There aren't many signs so the map can be confusing to read. It has also been built over the three levels so it's extremely hilly.
Day 3 - Ty woke up all excited because we were going to Hong Kong Disneyland. We went down to see the concierge to pick up our shuttle tickets and he told us that there was a rating 8 typhoon and Disneyland was closed. In fact everything was closed even the shopping centres so we there wasn't anywhere for us to go. I spent the day in the hotel room sleeping and watching tv. There is a show on in Hong Kong that is hilarious. It's called "Beautiful Cooking" Ty and I were like "why is it called that". It's basically a show where a group of hot girls are cooking while some men sit and judge there cooking abilities. It's such a politically incorrect show but we found it quite funny.
Day 4 - Today we finally made it to Disneyland, and I'm so glad Ty talked me into going, it was awesome! Disneyland is the kind of place where you can just be a kid again and you can't help but feel happy. The queues for all the rides and attractions weren't very long so we managed to do alot. Ty convinced me to go on Space Mountain, I sreamed my lungs out, I'm such a wuss. We also managed to get photos with most of the Disney characters which was alot of fun. We also saw a fantastic 4D show with all the theme songs from Disney movies such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Little Mermaid.
Overall we had a good time in Hong Kong, the shopping was fantastic. Prices weren't as cheap as expected but there was such a huge selection. I don't think Ty and I would go back to Hong Kong, because even though we enjoyed ourselves we were disappointed with it overall. It was just good to get away from the cold and spend time together.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Ty-phoon in Hong Kong!
Today Ty and I woke up excited at the prospect of going to Disneyland Ty was more excited than me! Anyway we get downstairs and are advised by the concierge that there is a rating 8 typhoon and everything is closed including Disneyland! Even the shopping malls are shut so basically there is nowhere for us to go. We spent the day in our hotel rooms, bored to death and I slept for most of the day, hence the time to update this blog.
Hong Kong has been alot of fun so far, but I find myself comparing it to Vietnam, which was awesome! There is an expectation here that Ty and I can speak the language so we get treated quite badly when we tell them we can't. I think they assume we are ex-pats who moved to a country and are trying to be more "western". The irony is in Vietnam eveyone spoke to me in English no-one thought I was Vietnamese. The shopping here is amazing, but quite expensive. There are alot of designer brands which are cheaper than back home. I found a great purse that I can't get in Australia which was a great buy.
We had hoped to buy presents for family back home, but it has been impossible to find anything that is not cheap and tacky. So we decided to only get the nieces things and no-one else to keep it fair. I only managed to find something for Beth yesterday at an outlet which I can't wait to give her, fingers crossed they fit.
Tomorrow we are going to try and get to Disneyland again, because we have been told the typhoon should pass by tonight, and there will only be rain tomorrow which we can handle. It's ironic there is a typhoon, cos "phoon" is Ty's nickname from some of his closest friends. It's really our last day to do anything because we fly out on Friday. I'm disappointed I didn't get to see the Stanley Markets but you can't control mother nature.
Only 3 more sleeps til I see Beth I'm so excited!!!
Hong Kong has been alot of fun so far, but I find myself comparing it to Vietnam, which was awesome! There is an expectation here that Ty and I can speak the language so we get treated quite badly when we tell them we can't. I think they assume we are ex-pats who moved to a country and are trying to be more "western". The irony is in Vietnam eveyone spoke to me in English no-one thought I was Vietnamese. The shopping here is amazing, but quite expensive. There are alot of designer brands which are cheaper than back home. I found a great purse that I can't get in Australia which was a great buy.
We had hoped to buy presents for family back home, but it has been impossible to find anything that is not cheap and tacky. So we decided to only get the nieces things and no-one else to keep it fair. I only managed to find something for Beth yesterday at an outlet which I can't wait to give her, fingers crossed they fit.
Tomorrow we are going to try and get to Disneyland again, because we have been told the typhoon should pass by tonight, and there will only be rain tomorrow which we can handle. It's ironic there is a typhoon, cos "phoon" is Ty's nickname from some of his closest friends. It's really our last day to do anything because we fly out on Friday. I'm disappointed I didn't get to see the Stanley Markets but you can't control mother nature.
Only 3 more sleeps til I see Beth I'm so excited!!!
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