KING KONG or was it hong kong?

Hong Kong, China October 24th and 25th

It’s pretty surreal spending my 23rd birthday in a country I never imagined I would get to go to. But nowadays, my life is pretty exciting. I don’t ever want to take it for granted. The first day of Hong Kong, a group of us (Sam, Eli, Jess, Dan and I) all went to the Buddha located on an island in Hong Kong....I can’t remember the exact name right now, but it is where the BUDDHA was enlightened. We took some awesome subways through scenic areas to an area to catch the cable cars to the island. The line to get to the cable car was long, but I was thoroughly entertained by the good company I was with. We got onto the glass bottomed cable car that took about 30 minutes to get to the island. We were so high off the ground, good thing I am not afraid of heights. It was just gorgeous too. We could see the airport, the beach, and fisherman walking through the shallow parts of the water. It was a spectacular sight. And when we got over the hump of the mountain, there it was. The big Buddha made out of stone that sits so peacefully on top of the hill. It was stunning. We then go into town and there were little shops and bubbles and monks walking around. We were amazed at how commercialized the tree of enlightenment was. It was actually plastic. They put that in instead of a real one....maybe for preservation? Anywho, it was cool to see the most holy place for buddhists after just being in the most holy place for christians in Jerusalem a few months ago. It was very peaceful and very warm. I was sweating pretty profusely walking up the steps to see the big buddha, but it was worth it. After we went back down, Sam had to leave and the rest of us went to see the temple. It was so ornate and there was a monk performing a ceremony just as we walked in. I have to admit, after a while, taking photos of everything starts to feel like you begin to miss out on the actual beauty, so I paused for a bit to take it all in. All the sights, all the incense, and all the sounds of the chinese workers doing construction. It also made me think how every part of this earth has a holiness and a peacefulness, as well as every person. But we as a people seem to make only specific area more important than others. Jess and I were talking about how this amazing place (though awesome to see and experience) probably was much more peaceful before people deemed it as an important place. It is cool that they built a shrine  where buddha was enlightened, but before that, wasn’t it just a mountain like any mountain? wasn’t it just a beautiful tree like all of the trees? I guess what I am getting at, is beauty is literally in everything. And if we only took some time to cherish the small things too, we wouldn’t be so focused on a few great things. 

Ok, so after my little rant :) haha we went down the cable car. We made our way back into town and we all got the best massages ever. Jess and Eli paid for my whole massage as a gift and it was an hour and a half body massage with a reflexology foot massage! Oh my gosh, this place was so clean and so beautiful. It was all red, and there were rooms with beds in them and tons of people waiting to help you. It was also quiet, unlike some places you can go in America, where people are loud during the massage. They gave us tea and little cotton outfits to climb on into. Jess, Eli and I were all in the same room for our massages. It was so funny (and Jess, pleeeeease forgive me for saying this) Jess’ guy giving her the massage slapped her behind a few times and giggled cause he had never seen someone as well shaped as she is. We all roared with laughter! I guess they don’t have curves in China ;). I had a guy who used just the right amount of pressure. Some of it hurt so bad, but felt so good after. I needed this! I must have dropped in voice range after as well, because I sounded like a tenor! It was truly relaxing.

After our massages, we were all pumped to go out, but we needed outfits! So Jess and I wandered into places to get something funky to wear out. We didn’t want to spend too much and we wanted to look kind of crazy. And finally, we found the perfect retro outfits to go dancing in. Hot pink and yellow skirts and over the shoulder tops! It was perfect.

We then needed to go back to the ship in order to shower and get ready. So, we got ready and waited for a bit for people to be able to go out with us to a bar called insomnia, which I guess had a live band and a whole street full of awesome bars.

When we got there, it was all decorated for halloween and the clubs were packed! Everyone from the shop was there too! It was such a party! Then there was this awesome cover band from the Philippines who played the best music. They sang happy birthday to me and I turned candy apple red! It was so fun though, I danced the night away and had the best 23rd celebration I could ever ask for!

25th

The next day, as expected, we were all pretty tired! So, I got some free internet and coffee in the morning and then went to get foot massages with my friend Adele. We ended up going to get some incredible thai food as well. It was a relaxing day, and an amazing birthday! thanks again to everyone who made it special! 

So, I know halloween is coming up....does anyone have an idea for me? I am so bad at thinking of quick and creative things haha. Love and miss you all!