Today was my last full free day until everything is finished with this conference.  I did have to do some work and deliver a few things, just in case you think this is nothing but an exotic vacation.  We didn't do a whole lot, but we enjoyed what we did.  Trust me when I say, we'll make up for it with some long days ahead.

First we were off to the lovely ex-pat area called Lan Kwai Fong.  It's a strange mixture of VERY Chinese shops and English pubs.  Thrown together with every type of food you could possibly imagine wanting.  Since this area is on the hillside headed up to the peak, it makes for all kinds of interesting streets and alleys.

We stopped in a bar to toast a birthday and enjoyed a drink watching the world pass by,

Have I mentioned how much they seem to love Christmas here?  As I said when I saw this, Christmas threw up in this alley.

But here and there you get these wonderful pieces of Chinese life.

That second opening on like the fourth floor of that building is a coffee shop.  Everything goes vertical here since there isn't any extra space.

Next we were off to Kowloon again for high tea at the Peninsula Hotel.  This hotel opened in 1928 and is still considered one of the best hotels in the city.  At about $800 US a night for a harbor view I would hope so!  Because it was an experience I wanted to check off my list, we waited just over an hour to be seated for tea.  No reservations allowed, but if you're staying in the hotel, you can cut the line.

The tea itself was lovely.  I had Almond and the boys had Jasmine or Peninsula Breakfast.  Mine was the best!  The scones and sandwiches were great, though I'm not sure it was worth the wait.  I would recommend the Upper House or the Intercontinental.  Both serve tea but without standing in line forever.

Back to the hotel to do a little more work and then it was time for another round of drinks.  Why do I always seem to drink Champagne in Hong Kong?  Maybe because we were in a place called the Champagne Bar?  It was relaxing and familiar.  (having been the scene of much drinking last year)

Last but not least, I just want to share the view from my hotel room this morning.  It's hard to ask for a better picture and the weather today was perfect.

Now it's time to head to bed as I have a VERY early call time in the morning.  Tomorrow could be a very long day with rehearsals starting at 8AM and possibly going until 2AM.  Keep your fingers crossed that everything goes well for the first one.  Until tomorrow... or the next day if I'm too tired!

Just one quick add on before I start my day.  I didn't take as many pictures as I should have yesterday, mostly because I've taken them before.  So I've pulled a couple from last year just so you can see.

This is the Victoria Peak Tram.  At some points on the way up the mountain, it's practically driving vertical.

We'll see what today ends up bringing.  Have a good one and more later!

Good Morning!  You're waking up to the end of my first day in Hong Kong.  I'm fighting to stay awake long enough to eat some dinner.  I landed early this morning and I've been going none stop ever since.  I had a little drama with my suitcase shortly after getting to my room.  I discovered that some lovely TSA agent had reprogrammed my TSA approved lock.  Yes that means exactly what you think it means... I couldn't get into my suitcase.  I'll chose to believe it was an honest mistake and not someone being vile.  I had to call someone from the hotel to come with bolt cutters to rescue my clothes.  All is well now.


I'm joined on this trip by my Jr. Producer and as this was his first time in Hong Kong, it was time to show him some of the sights.  First we headed to the Starr Ferry and the quick trip across the harbor to Kowloon.  We weren't looking for anything specific, but we did stumble upon a lovely park in the center of the city.  It was quite lovely and such an interesting mixture of nature surrounded by skyscrapers.

We wandered through the streets just enjoying the sights and sounds of a city that is so utterly foreign to us.  We then stopped for a very long champagne brunch. One thing you have to know about Hong Kong, they LOVE Christmas.  The lights, the music, it's everywhere.  Even in the form of this bear, decked out and waiting for the line of people who wanted photos.

Fortified with enough champagne, we rambled on.  Determined not to give in to jet lag, we decided the day had cleared enough to go up to Victoria Peak.  Well that took longer than expected.  The line was much longer than it had been last year, but we made it to the top.  We were thinking about staying to watch the harbor light show, but it was just too cold and we were starting to wear out.  At least the view was spectacular!

After another long wait, we were headed back to the hotel.  I've now scarfed down some room service and it's all I can do to keep my eyes open.  More tomorrow my faithful readers.  I'm sure I'll find some kind of adventure to get into.