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All the photos you could ever possibly want to see

It has taken me two weeks, but I've finally uploaded all my China photos to Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/hopeokeeffe/collections/72157621476893786/. Please feel free to tag, name, comment, and of course print. I may keep organizing and editing a bit.

Last Morning (Hong Kong)

I woke in time for the last bit of sunrise, and repacked the suitcase that got knocked over in the wee hours on Aaron’s return. It was still only 6:30, so I dressed for another session in the gym… and took the elevator downstairs instead.

I wandered back to Victoria Park. As I’d anticipated, all through the park, people were exercising – and in some instances, dancing. There were at least three calisthenics groups and probably a dozen tai chi practices of varying difficulty.









I joined a morning calisthenics class of older women, which of course left me in the dust. I hung out on the edge trying to follow, when a passing woman took pity on me and coached me through some of the moves. It was gentler than the calisthenics I know (although we did do jumping jacks) – more stretching and balancing, and some influence of tai chi. Plus there was a point where we all rubbed our eye sockets and foreheads, and then the back of our heads, that felt simply wonderful.





Then I got even braver and stood on the outskirts of a tai chi practice opposite the Library, trying to follow that; I did recognize parts of the forms from the four morning sessions on the cruise, but I’m sure I was the source of much amusement. People were very polite, with encouraging smiles. [I felt very intrusive taking pictures, and only did it at a distance. Oh for a telephoto!]

Havana Next Year, Baby/The Final Night (Hong Kong) [by Aaron]

The night began when we left the group and rode on a doubledecker tram. It was two HK$, or about a quarter. We took it until we found the stop we wanted to be at, somewhere off the map. On the tram, we discussed that we wanted to find some Latin music, and it became our quest. We had to use the bathroom, so we walked into a random 5 star hotel. They showed us where they were and we then went to the hotel bar, the Admiralty Club. It was navy-themed. There was a band of four performing Lady Gaga songs and jazz standards. Interesting combination. I had a beer called Diamond Black, which was basically cranberry soda. It was gross. Remind me to never get it again. I shared Tom’s Tetley, (beer, not tea), which was mild and aromatic, with a full head and an amber color.

After the band set, we asked the band if they knew where we could find Latin music. An older member thought for a minute and revealed to us that the Havana Club would be good, but we might have to request Latin songs. He gave us the name and area, Tsim Sha Tsui, in English; we got the Chinese from the hotel reception. They were really nice to us, it was really weird. We realized we were getting closer to our goal, and took a taxi to the Star Ferry. The ferry was also HK$2, and offered a spectacular view of the bay at night. It was the lights; it wouldn’t have been anything during the day. When we touched down, we began walking in Kowloon. We had a map from the hotel reception revealing the exact location of the club. We went into another 5 star hotel and got directions for the fastest way to the club, a 15 minute walk. We enjoyed the night of Hong Kong as we walked to Knutsford Terrace. Tom and I sat down to rest our worn legs. We were on the brink of sleep, but we kept our quest in mind and continued.
We walked up many stairs, asked for directions again, and walked into a small building with an elevator: the Havana Club at last. We were directed to a very comfortable couch and the band began a song by Eric Clapton. We were mildly confused, as we sipped our Cuba libres and listened to songs such as “band on the Run,” “Imagine,” and bad 80s tunes. On the suggestions card, Tom wrote “Porque hay no musica Cubana?”, meaning “Why don’t you have any Cuban music?” Tom requested one Latin song using the request card we were given. We ordered San Miguels and Havana cigars (Habana Punch cigars). We enjoyed our request promptly and the set finished, leaving a dj playing mediocre Latin music. We toasted to the success of our quest and to our ancestors, some of which manufactured cigars. We spoke of how Cuba will probably be open to Americans soon and hoped we can do the same thing in Havana. We toasted again, to “Havana next year, baby!” We walked around for a little bit after we leave, and eventually just taxied home. The taxi only cost HK$50 to get us from island to island. We high-fived to the end of our China trip.

Last Night (Hong Kong)

Last Night

We went out for a traditional Chinese banquet to commemorate the end of our journey. There we encountered what would be the last of the incomprehensible Chinese bathroom signs.















Then, Jeff and I went back to the room and read a bit of Inkheart together; after he fell asleep I blogged a bit for later posting when I have web access. Lois & Marty and Ed & Abby’s family all went to pack. The Langellos didn’t even make dinner – they were squeezing out the last possible shopping opportunities.

Tom and Aaron took the Star Ferry to Kowloon in search of Latin music. They found the Havana Club ,where they had fat Cuban cigars, Cuba libres, and San Miguels to round out their excellent adventures. [I’d proposed a Star Ferry ride earlier, but both boys said they’d had plenty of boat rides, thank you very much. I slightly regret not having forced the issue – Aaron reports it was wonderful under the full moon.]

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