Ni Hao from Hong Kong!

I honestly never expected that I would ever be here, but here I am. Well, here we are. I love Hong Kong!

We flew out of Frankfurt yesterday at 2:15 pm. We flew Cathay Pacific, which was a very nice airline. The seats were roomy and comfortable, the food was tasty, the people very nice, and the in-flight entertainment was awesome! I was way too excited to sleep (which is quite unlike me,) but I was so happy to be able to watch the entire season #6 of Criminal Minds.

Okay, there were quite a few reasons for my excitement. First, and foremost, Joern and I were headed to Hong Kong. Secondly, which was also quite cool, we flew over so many countries, and because the weather was so great, I could see a ton! We headed east over Germany, and into Poland. Wow, I have never flown above Poland. From Poland, we headed over Belarus towards the Ukraine, over Russia, into Kazakhstan, and finally into China. Hello, these are countries I have never flown over. The farthest east I have previously been was Venice. What a huge difference!

We landed at 6:40 am Hong Kong time. The airport is really easy to navigate. Once we were out of the plane and picked up our luggage, it was time to head over to the train ticket machine to buy a ticket for the train that heads from the airport to the city center. I must admit, pretty much from the airport, I was in love. Hong Kong is so beautiful!

Since we are staying on Hong Kong Island, we got off at the Hong Kong Station. From there, we took a shuttle bus to our hotel. There was crazy bad traffic, but that was fine by me, I had more time to stare out the window, and take in this amazing city!

We are staying at the Guandong Hotel Wharney in Wanchai. The room is great, and the location is unbeatable! Wanchai is like the city center of Hong Kong Island, and pretty much where it all began in the development of Hong Kong. Wanchai is like “Old School Hong Kong.”

Once we rested, it was a 5 minute walk over to the convention center for the International Gift Fair. We were only there about 2 hours, as they closed at 6:30. It was interesting to see how the business works, and I always love to see Joern in his “salesman,” mode.

After the fair, we walked back towards the hotel, stopping across the street at the White Stag, a British pub, for dinner. Dinner was so yummy, and afterwards, Joern took a nice walk around.
I’m exhausted, and tomorrow, we’re headed off to the fair again. But, I am so excited to explore some more of this fascinating city!

Looking forward to tomorrow!

I can't believe how well our vacation timing worked out this year at school.  We are on Easter break right now, which happens to coincide with the Hong Kong Premium and Gifts Fair, and as it happens, Joern and his parents are going to this fair this week.  Lucky, lucky, excited me, I get to go with them!  Having been with Joern such a very long time now, he has gone to Hong Kong quite a few times over the course of our relationship.  And FINALLY, I get to go too!  I have heard there is great shopping and Dim Sum in Hong Kong.  Shopping might not be the best choice, simply because we're building a house, but Dim Sum sounds right up my alley!
I know that it will be long days at the fair, but I am excited and hopeful to do some exploring as well!
Looking forward to seeing you, and posting lots of pictures when we get back!