That's So Boring: Failed Attempt #2

Saturday, July 11

After a relaxing night in, we woke up and set out to find the Big Buddha and cable car! Marc had decided to escape the swine flu pandemonium in Grace Tien, so he checked into a hotel in central Hong Kong, and would stay there for the next three day. Of course, though, he would meet up with us every day since he wouldn't know what to do without his new American friends!

We met him in Kowloon in the morning, and enjoyed breakfast at our favorite "western" cafe - Panash! After everyone is satisfied, we take (a very wavy) ferry ride across to Hong Kong Island. We had just missed the ferry to Lantau Island, so we decide to take the MTR to Lantau. The MTR takes us about an hour and will pass by the airport, Disney, and HK Asia World Expo to take us to the beginning of the 360 Cable Car. Once we get to the cable cars, I purchase my ticket for the "Crystal Car" which is the car that has all glass, and a glass bottom. The rest of the group attempts to purchase their tickets, and are told that due to a level 3 Typhoon warning, the cable car is not operating for the rest of the day. Attempt 2 of exploring Hong Kong - FAILED.

Luckily... there was a Haagen Dazs in sight, and we could satisfy Marc's disappointment with an Asian explosion, aka Vanilla milkshake!

We got back on the MTR, and decided to go to Mong Kok, where there is the Ladies Market and Night Markets, among other vendors. The smell at these markets was horrendous and unbearable at times. I think it was the meat being cooked at the street vendor stands, but I also realized that it had seeped into my skin and clothes since I later STILL smelled like the streets of Mong Kok. The best way to describe this market is to think of Canal street in NYC, where everyone is willing to bargain every price, and always asking, "Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton?"

After this little shopping excursion, it was about 4, and we could think of nothing better than to start happy hour, so we headed to SoHo! We started at Fat Angelo's, but wanted something more pub-ish, so we found Cutty Sark. After a few Strongbows, meeting Jake-er-mister, Don (the bartender), and a quick alphabet game, Katie and I rang the bell.. meaning we buy the whole bar shots. It's a good thing Don loved us and didn't actually charge us for the shots! And somehow we only paid for one beer the entire time we were there, since we didn't get refills, just "top-offs".

After a great introduction to Cutty Sark (yes, we will be back), we had dinner at a Lebanese place that had Halal meat- Saj was VERY excited to finally be able to eat meat! The food was amazing, especially the lamb and falafel. The night ended with more Cutty Sarks, Beerfest on LKF, more Insomnia coverband dancing, and finally bed.