adventures in china

It’s easy to think of Hong Kong as just a giant city, but in fact nearly 70% of the land is undeveloped.

Saturday, Isabella took me to the highest point on Hong Kong Island, The Peak. It’s a huge tourist attraction, but still a nice walk along a concrete path around the top of a mountain. Dotting the steep forested slopes are giant mansions and exorbitant apartment complexes for the wealthy who work below in the city.

Sunday, Uncle Joe took us to Shing Mun Country Park. Little Isabella went there with him 18 years ago and had her lunch stolen by the monkeys. When Uncle Joe went to rescue her, his backpack was taken. Many monkeys were seen on our 4 hour hike around the reservoir. We guarded our belongings.

Today we’re off to travel China. Places to visit/spend time in may include Shenzhen, Guilin, Yangshou, Guipin, Longsheng, Chengdu, and Leshan.

Can it really get worse than Red Lobster in Wisconsin?

Yes.

The Spaghetti House is a franchise of Italian restaurants “established by an Australian and a British in 1979.” Their red and yellow signs scream cheap attempt at American-Italian food throughout the streets of Hong Kong. I knew it wouldn’t be great. In fact, my expectations were about as high as if I had been walking into a Fazoli’s or Olive Garden. But that’s what I wanted, a mediocre attempt at Italian food that would make me think “home.”

I ordered a “delicious pasta covered in Italian sausage, pieces of bacon, and fresh mushrooms, served in a white cream sauce.” What I got was undercooked spaghetti with sliced hot dog, bacon bits, canned mushrooms, and an oil, starch, and salt sauce.

Granted, it was cheap. And I did eat it. But, I no longer will proudly state that all the food in China is delicious. It should be made known that only most of the food here is delicious.

This city is something else. It has the cleanest, most efficient public transportation system I’ve ever experienced. The food is incredible. Other than Dai barbecue, you can find just about any kind of food you would want to eat (and it’s all good). Nobody stares at me anymore, kids don’t point at my beard.

Maybe I’m mostly enthused about being in Hong Kong because it’s not Xishuangbanna. That’s not to say I won’t miss southern Yunnan. I’ll miss the fried rice lady who never smiles, water buffalo walking down the street, spicy food for every snack and meal, and the people I worked with.

But right now, I’m glad to be out of there. And to see Isabella!

Hong Kong the last couple days: