Wednesday in Hong Kong

10:30am, 19 September

Wee-hoo! We arrived at 10pm last night, got through customs, got our luggage, found the transport service & a then very informative driver flew us to the hotel. The longest suspension bridge in the world wowed us -between Lantau Island and the New Territories where our hotel is located. While driving Ronnie told us the best places to shop & pointed out the Peak & other sites. The city at night is really compelling, beautiful with high rise apt. buildings, light shows, and the bridge taking us on an adventure.

The Royal Park Hotel is absolutely gorgeous - minimal yet decorated in high style - heavy vases with bamboo, river stones and red anthuriums, indirect lighting, and very helpful staff. Our room is very spacious and comfortable (photos to come). We fell sleep around 2am having arrived around midnight. It's hard to believe that we were more than 24 hrs. without real sleep, but once our heads hit the huge fluffy pillows we were asleep in no time.

Breakfast this morning was a buffet in the hotel with many nationalities represented - American, French, Chinese. I had scrambled eggs/bacon but that's the last time I will eat U.S. tomorrow I go native, or at least not typical of what I would have at home.

Next on our schedule is shopping at the Town Plaza across the street. Right now, they're still closed. I came away without any jeans, trying to keep the suitcase under 50 lbs.

This afternoon is the Icebreaker and registration. I've already seen Russ, Jim, Michael and Marian Feenan, Stacey and Maren, Willem.