Disneyland Revisited

Well, we got another chance to go to Disneyland today. Just as we got there, a monsoon rain opened up and rained for about 3-4 hours. However, mid-afternoon, it stopped and it turned out to be a great time.

We stayed for the fireworks this time. They were stupendous! We couldn't believe how good they were. I took a video with my video-phone and hope to have it posted tomorrow. Meanwhile, here are some of the best pics from the day.


A look at the park from Tarzan's Treehouse.


The girls in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.


The Castle just prior to the fireworks show.

More Macau Pics

Fortaleza do Monte


Cannon at the Fortaleza do Monte


View of Macau Harbor

Back from Macau!

Us at the Lighthouse at Fort Guia, Macau.

We had a grand ole time in Macau. I couldn't believe how much it has changed in only 16 years! First of all , it used to be the peninusla of Macau and the islands of Taipa and Coloane. Now, it is just Macau and Co-Tai. The area between the two islands has filled in completely and it is now one big island! I couldn't believe it!

The ruins of St. Paul's. It burned during a typhoon in 1835.

Some of Macau looks the same. It is still crowded, but there are HUGE CASINOS everywhere. They are even building a new Venitian which is supposed to open next year. We really enjoyed walking around, looking at museums and architecture. One hightlight for me was going to the East India Company Cemetary and finding the grave of Robert Morrison, who died in 1834. He was the first protestant missionary to China and worked hard on translating scriptures into Chinese.

Emily and Audrey at Robert Morrison's gravesite.

I will also post several entries on The Hungry Traveler in the next day or so.

Traveling

We will all be leaving a little later today for 5 days in Macau. Macau is a former Portuguese colony that was given back to China at the end of 4 or 500 years in 1999. It is a beautiful, but very small and very, very crowded city. I haven't been there since 1990; my family has only passed through on the way to China. I am excited that they will get to see Macau.

I won't have a computer while I am there, but I hope to get on an internet cafe to make a post or two. I hope to have a few pictures by the end of the week to post when I get back. I will also be making an entry or two into "The Hungry Traveler" by the end of the week.

Life in HK #1

Living in Hong Kong is exciting. It is a city that seems to be alive. Much has changed in the 17 years since I lived here before. One thing that hasn't however, it the Star Ferry.

In my opinion, the Star Ferry is still the best bargain on the planet. For HK$2.20 (US .28 cents) you can take a first class ticket voyage from the tip of Kowloon Penninsula to the Heart of Hong Kong Island. Granted, it only lasts for 10 minutes or less, but it has views that are worth a LOT more.

Imagine sitting on the upper deck of a huge ferry out in the middle of Victoria Harbour. HK Island to the front and Kowloon to the rear. A gentle breeze refreshing the trip, unless of course, you elect to ride in the air conditioned cabin. The ferry is gently rocked by the waves of other vessels transiting the harbour.

The Star Ferry is one of the little things that makes Hong Kong special. It's the best 28 cents you'll ever spend!

FORTUNE Magazine: Warren Buffett gives away his fortune - Jun. 25, 2006

FORTUNE EXCLUSIVE: The world's second richest man - who's now worth $44 billion - tells editor-at-large Carol Loomis he will start giving away 85% of his wealth in July - most of it to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

[Mr. Buffett, Is there any chance you'd throw a couple million my way? Hong Kong is more expensive that I thought.]

The Hungry Traveler updated

I have added a few more restaurant evaluations over at The Hungry Traveler. The address is: http://thehungrytraveler.blogspot.com Go over and take a look. Make some suggestions for other restaurants.

Coffee may reduce diabetes risk, study finds

Good news for women coffee drinkers! Hava cuppa Joe and reduce the risk! Read about it at this link: KRT Wire 06/26/2006 Coffee may reduce diabetes risk, study finds

Typhoon Jelawat

Well, our little typhoon has a name now. It seems to be moving away from us even further, although we are getting rain from it. We had a nice shower just now.

Typhoon Signal One

We found this sign at the mall this morning.


I found this diagram at Tropical Storm Risk

Well, the first typhoon signal to be hoisted since we arrived was done so today. Tropical Storm 03W is currently located at 17.3 N and 114.7 E. It doesn't appear to be a threat to us today, but it was kind of "fun" nonetheless, to see the sign in the mall.

For complete information about it, go to the HK Observatory detailed information site HERE. It is almost a "non-event".

A room with a view

This is the view from our living room looking southeast. You can just BARELY see the harbor. (It is in the lowest gap between the buildings.) I'll take another when I get my good camera repaired. I'll have to hurry, as it looks like they are building another building right in our line of vision.


This the view from our living room looking southwest. (we live at the apex of a curve). The tall dark building to the right of the street is the Langham Offices. There are no stores or shops on our street, which is really weird for HK. There are only schools and apartments.

Still Unpacking

The unpacking is coming along nicely. We only have about 15 boxes left and pictures to hang. It is starting to feel like "home".

The Hungry Traveler

Here it is! The long awaited debut of the blog I have been talking about for months and months!

THE HUNGRY TRAVELER

Check it out! I'll be updating it frequently. Let me know what you think!

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Doctor? More like "mister"

My wife spotted this as we were walking along today. Can you spot the inconsistencies?

Definately NOT "PC"

But, it is 'truth in advertising'! I found this at the local grocery store today and couldn't resist a picture.