Hey...what are YOU doing here?

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a picture of the week, mainly because I’ve been busy traveling in Asia taking pictures!  So – now I have more than just a simple picture of week, I have many pictures and a bit of an update!  I’m in the process of organizing the pictures and putting together the many stories that go along with them, but for now I have Hong Kong finished for you to peruse through.

Click here to see my Hong Kong photography (the 2nd page has most of the new photos)

Click here to see my Hong Kong snapshots of New Years Eve, and the Fish Market.

I spent 5 days in Hong Kong after Christmas soaking up ‘civilization’; just what the doctor ordered.  I just love Hong Kong.  If pressed to make a choice, I think it’s my favorite city in Asia.  To me, it is the perfect combination of the beauty of San Francisco and the skyline of New York City – with Asian culture thrown in. 

My dear friend Veronique flew in from Europe to meet me and help me ring in 2009.  It was a great time for me to see friends – Lynn, Lee, Sarah, Veronique, Marcus, Rebekah, as well as make some new ones!  The 5 days were packed full of running, hamburgers, shopping, art exhibits, and photo walks.    I have always told myself that one day I will come live in Hong Kong; I still hope to make that happen one day! 

The old and new Hong Kong

For New Years Eve we watched fireworks outside on the top floor of the Lang Kwai Fong Hotel; a perfect view of the skyline and the fireworks.  We braved the cold for an hour and stayed warm with alcohol…always a good solution for New Year’s Eve.  The fireworks weren’t simply fireworks, they were fireworks shot out of the sky scrapers.  It was quite stunning (and a bit disturbing) to see pyrotechnics come out of the buildings surrounding us! 

After the light show we warmed up by dancing and then walked around the crowded streets of Lang Kwai Fong until 4AM.  I finished the night with a large bag of potatoe chips and fell into a deep sleep!  We had to leave for Vietnam the next afternoon, but it was a great way to ring in the New Year and I was especially thankful to do it surrounded by friends!