\mh\ \goi\

We have been movin and shakin up in Hong Kong right out the gate. From the minute we stepped out of the airport, I realized that we were in a very efficient city. From the way the cabs came through the pick up area we were in at the airport, in an orderly and organized way, not a single horn blowing(in fact no one blows their horn here?!), not a bit of trash on the ground, all the cabs (Toyota Crowns?) are clean, seem to run well and put off no exhaust. These are all things that are processing for some reason in my insanely delirious state. Is this weird? I don't think so. These are all extremely good signs of things to come.

In a city such as HK, with an estimated population of 7 million, it seems just as prosperous as it is dense. It is really something to behold. I haven't felt like a single bathroom yet was even questionable of being used, unlike dear old Manila airport. Granted we are in the "nicer" part of the city but try going to ANY public restroom in NYC and tell the same tale I am here. I'm not gonna harp on this too long, but I think one could rank desired destinations, cities at least, and give an accurate number based on the cleanliness of the public restrooms. Hong Kong gets a shining 10 out of 10 points. Everything I have witnessed so far proves that this place is far more advanced that any place this kid has ever been. It doesn't hurt matters that we have a tour guide in Bonnie, an awesome one at that, but if I were to be visiting a large major city solo this one is currently at the top. Numerous forms of transportation, more restaurants and bars than any one person could ever think of experiencing, a completely foreign culture that speaks my native tongue very well, more German engineered cars than Germany apparently, AND clean and modern public restrooms. What more could you ask for? And as for sights to see, well I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves. Cheers to Hong Kong so far and only more amazing things to see and do still to come!

Oh, and "mh goi" in Cantonese means "thanks/thank you", which seems to be on the tip of everyone's tounge here well before you even hand them money for whatever service they are proving you, and with a smile too. A genuine smile. I figured if I learn any Cantonese while I am here I figured this is an important one, because I am truly grateful for the pride this culture shows in all that it provides for it's people and it's visitors. I hope you enjoy the pics:)

PS -- We have had some really amazing food for every meal thus far, too much too post right now with too little time. 6:19 pm HK time and we're off to sights and sushi. I hope to do an entire post devoted to all the delicious food we've enjoyed here in Hong Kong.

Cheers!