Winter break

/ thefranklins45

We have 6 weeks off of school for Chinese New Year. The actual date is February 19th. So, we took advantage of the long break by visiting Hong Kong and Thailand — making sure to be back for the actual festivities that will happen this Thursday!

Hong Kong was our first destination…the city is known for it’s small/cramped living spaces, international cuisine, shopping, and beautiful scenery! We can confirm the first 3, but the scenery was clouded by some pretty heavy pollution. The pollution (a.k.a. “fog”) was terrible.

IMG_3160

So glad I got a window seat!

pictures online can do an amazing job of making a place look legit. Well, this is our roomy 50 square foot flat in HK. Although I have to admit it was in a pretty sick location!

Small/tight living quarters is no joke! Our place was a 50 sq. ft. flat. Although we have to admit it was in a pretty sick location!

The food was awesome. Kristen found this little BBQ joint that was owned by a guy from Austin. Oh, how we miss BBQ!!!

The food was amazing. We tried our best to avoid anything noodle based 🙂 One of the best hidden jewels was this little BBQ joint Kristen found that was owned by a guy from Austin. Oh, how we miss BBQ!!!

Although, we are not shoppers, if we were HK has all of the western stores. We stopped by IKEA to pick up some household items and I bought some tennis shoes. I think I found the only pair of size 12 shoes in all of China. I have been to about 10 stores and they don't carry over size 10. The asics store in HK only had one pair and now they are mine :)

Although we are not shoppers, we picked up a few coveted items. Like this pair of size 12 shoes (impossible to find in China).

View from Victoria's Peak--famous lookout point where you are supposed to be able to see the entire city.

View from Victoria’s Peak–famous lookout point where you are supposed to be able to see the entire city. You can barely see the bay which is only about a mile away.

Kristen standing on the boardwalk overlooking HK Island.

Kristen standing on the boardwalk overlooking HK Island.

Best part of HK was visiting Tai O. It’s a fishing village where all the houses are built on the water. Venice of the east!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Apparently, Frozen is even popular in the remote fishing village!

Apparently, Frozen is even popular in the remote fishing village!

For all the single ladies out there, you can also purchase a Husband for roughly $2.58! Kristen thinks that is still overpriced :)

For all the single ladies out there, you can also purchase a husband for roughly $2.58! Kristen thinks that is still overpriced 🙂

 

After experiencing Hong Kong, we headed to Thailand! Warm sun, the ocean, and delicious Thai food were good for the soul. We’ll let the pictures do the talking!!!

IMG_3173

Evening Market...Kristen was happy!!!

Evening Market…Kristen was happy!!!

$2 for 30 min Thai foot massage!

$2 for 30 min Thai foot massage!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Danny standing in line waiting to or a fresh fruit smoothie!

Standing in line for a fresh fruit smoothie!

Also had time to squeeze in a quick visit to the dentist. Not sure they did anything as Kristen and I were in and out in less then 10 minutes (for the both of us)!

Also had time to squeeze in a quick visit to the dentist. Not sure they did anything, as Kristen and I were in and out in less then 10 minutes (for the both of us)!

Danny's new best friend felt like I needed to be groomed!

The monkey kindly noticed I might need some grooming!

Hopefully this isn’t the same monkey that groomed me:

Overall, it was a great trip but we’re glad to be back. Time to get back to work!