Tuesday, February 14, 2006

We made it to 4:30 am and then we both were wide awake. We stayed up for a little while but then were both able to go back to sleep until 8 am.. hooray! We woke up to gloomy skies and humidity! We didn't pack for humidity. We have quickly forgotten what that is like and it did feel just like an overcast day in Houston when the humidity is sky high and it is about to rain. We took the Star Ferry across the harbor to Hong Kong and tried to follow the directions our hotel gave us to get to the bus to the Victoria Peak tram. We messed up somewhere but had a lovely walk in the rain and ended up in the Citigroup building and then decided that a taxi would be wise. Our taxi driver took us on a fast and wild ride that ended up not at the tram like we expected but at a galleria somewhere near Victoria Peak. We decided to re-group and then headed to Ocean Park. Maybe tomorrow will be a clearer day and better for the views from Victoria Peak. Ocean Park is a Sea World/aquarium/Amusement Park type place. We had a great time here and took lots of photos from the cable car that you take to get to the other side of the park.. it runs up and over and along a cliff next to the ocean and you can see out to the South China Sea. We really missed our girls today as they would have loved it. Not to worry Shea and Sophie.. we will come back and bring you too someday, we promise. : ) We saw giant pandas up close, sharks and lots of fish and a dolphin/sea lion show which seemed to be the big draw. By the end of the afternoon, our bodies started telling us we should not be awake but we are determined to get on the right schedule as quickly as we can. I have been surprised what a big deal Valentines Day is here. There are signs everywhere and lots of couples are out and about with the women carrying flowers wrapped in cellophane. This morning at breakfast we saw two wedding parties taking photos across the street from our hotel in front of the Hong Kong Cultural Center and I couldn't figure out why Tuesday morning would be such a popular time to get married.. now I realize it is because of Valentines Day! Tonight we are staying in and watching the Symphony of Lights show which involves 33 key buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour and is a music, lights and pyrotechnic display.
Tomorrow night we are flying to Changsha!! We appreciate all the good thoughts and prayers being sent our way.. we can feel them all the way over here.