Typhoon Kong Kong Phooey

More Hong Kong. It is funny, while in Hong Kong I kept remembering the phrase "Hong Kong Phooey." It took me awhile to realize it came from "Scooby Doo"--thanks to my gals and their Scooby -Doo obsession!
Flight delayed a bit from the typhoon that swept through Asia--the rain on the runway was incredible.
Home...home...waiting for my darling girls to arrive from Nelson any minute now.
Learned so very much while away--will try to share some pearls with you as the weeks unfold.
Hong Kong an amazing place. Real China on the ying and western excess on the yang--all squished together on an Island.
Pics are from the "W" hotel and the Star-ferry as we visited Hong Kong Island from peninsular Kowloon. The W was so mod--played this flat, removed Euro music in the halls and elevators--it put one into such a stooper--I swear they piped Opium into the elevators because one trip and I was a puddle of relaxation.
Peter's tailored shirt looks amazing btw--from Charms.
And only in Hong Kong--"diamond" encrusted Mercedes.

One Night in Hong Kong

Today the ferry and Hong Kong Museum--maybe a little more market shopping too. The W Hotel is in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong. A wonderful French Patisserie in the Elements mall next door--Breakfast.

Penang, Indian Ocean

Top 2 pictures are views from our hotel: Hotel Equatorial, Penang.
Next Pictures are all from the Kek Lok Temple (Chinese Buddhist Temple)--huge!

The Pinang Perkanakan Mansion. The tour guide was wacked--made up the story as he went along and if anyone dared contradict his story he blew a fuse and shouted at the person to go and join another tour.

A street in Georgetown. The traffic is insane--no side walks and no crosswalks. Motorcycles speeding out of no where.

-We're in Hong Kong now--one night. The city is a zoo--so many people, so much traffic, so many buildings and shops (and cheap Chinese-made crap to collect). Got ripped off by the taxi driver from the airport--charged us double. Peter is obsessed with tracking him down--it is insane as this is bleeping Hong Kong!
Peter has already been fitted for a tailor made dress shirt--will be completed tomorrow. We have a room on the 36th floor of The Hotel W Hong Kong--very mod with amazing harbor views.  Went to several markets: some stalls sell nothing but cheap sex toys--creepy.
No night juncket ride tonight--too tired, but a ferry ride tomorrow before we fly home. Ready to come home. Hong Kong isn't Asian enough for me. I think I like the rough, rundown Asia of Malaysia better. Although it is a relief to leave the strict government of Malaysia as I was slightly afraid there--it is too easy to break the rules!

The Malaysia Adventure Begins: Kuala Lumpur

First impressions:
Plane Ride excruciatingly long. Felt like I had giraffe legs--could not get comfy!
Hong Kong:
 Beautiful lush green mountains, stunning rock-rimmed ocean Islands, sky scrapers extraordinaire! City very compact in valleys and coast and mountains left in their natural lushness--I was impressed by the compactness of Hong Kong. N. American cities have much more sprawl and the mountains would have been housed the the tippy top.
Kuala Lumpur:
Lush jungle covered mountains, coast has acres and acres of giant palms trees. Kuala Lumpur if fairly compact also. Main centre high rises and caters the the rich Arab visitors: Extreme high end hotels and shopping malls. Very humid and hot.

Flying over the South China sea was amazing. Coral reef  islands everywhere. I can understand why it has the best diving and snorkeling sites in the world.
I fell asleep in the cab on the way to the hotel. Liked the cab--leather seats, shoulder seat belts. Though, cell phone use while driving seems to be encouraged here. Arrived at the hotel after falling into deep sleep and removing myself from the cab was difficult as my giraffe legs had turned into cement suddenly.
Hotel odd: must leave room card in a slot for the lights to work. Cannot figure out home to get the tub drain to plug so one can bathe. This is a 5 * Westin!
Overwhelmed by the Arab Muslim tourists. The women in their burkas and trench coats pulled over the entire ensemble to add to their attempt to disappear under the weight of the fabric. The men strolling around in comfortable outfits like they own the world.
As a woman and feminist, I want to scream in rage! This female oppression is appalling. And the world turns a blind eye for the most part.
Had amazingly good Indian food last night. The mall across from our hotel houses 7 floors of the most exclusive clothing shops in he world--again catering to the wealthy Arab tourists.

My ulcer has crept back. I knew it was simmering the past week: coated tongue that I can't brush away is the first symptom. If I drink orange juice, or eat spicy Indian food, first I feel so bloated and full instantly and then I feel really nauseous and must rest it off for about 1/2 hour- 1 hour until the nausea goes away. Will eat small portions of very bland food for the rest of the trip and try to find some Tums to keep it from getting any more inflamed.
Today: explore the essence of Kuala Lumpur.
I'll let you all read this now and then add the photos later today.