So we'll start with Hong Kong stuff:
We finished working with the kids for the school year, and planned our trip traveling around South East Asia. Just before we left, we took 40 kids who had volunteered throughout the year, to Ocean Park (their big amusement park). It was a lot of fun... a little bit of a long day... but fun. We rode a bunch of rides with the kids... went on the water rides, and walked around the park for 8 hours+. That night, we met up with one of our amazing friends Nicole. You might remember her name from our trip to China. We met Nicole (and her friend Sadie) in Chengdu when we went to hold a Panda. Nicole and her boyfriend flew into Hong Kong to do some traveling, and we couldn't wait to see her. The only down side was it was too short. Both Brian and I love Nicole (and Sadie) and they really helped make our China trip. We met up with Nicole and Ben (her boyfriend, who was great) and had a couple drinks. Unfortunately due to their need to get home and jetlag, and us needing to get home and finish packing... the evening was cut shorter than we would've liked.
The day before that, we had JUST moved from the hotel room into the apartment on the school grounds. We' spent 2 nights in those beds before leaving again, but those two days were amazing. I made grilled cheese and sidekicks both nights, and it was HEAVENLY!!! We didn't want to buy a bunch of groceries before leaving for 6 weeks, but eating at home was brilliant. We unpacked our 'moving' stuff, and just repacked some clothes for traveling. It was sort of a whirlwind of a couple days, and then the next morning we flew to Malaysia.
Malaysia was a lot better than either Brian or I expected. We flew into Kuala Lumpur. We weren't planning on spending much time there...just wanted to check it out before heading to Thailand. Having said that, the people were super friendly and the market was fun. We went to the world's largest free-flight aviary so Brian could see some birds. We walked around the city, saw the big towers (two tallest free-standing joined twin towers......or something like that). We just had an all around good experience. Although we enjoyed it, there was no reason to stay longer than two nights...so we flew out from KL straight to Koh Sumoi... which is one of the islands on the east side of Thailand. We had a romantic dinner on the beach by candlelight, danced in the sand and slept in a cute little beach bungalow. We also, of course, had some AMAZING Thai massages on the beach. It was absolutely beautiful, peaceful and perfect.
From there, we took the fast boat to Koh Tao (my favorite place). And that's where we stand now. Brian is finishing his open water course today. I have done 6 dives in the last 3 days already, and was thinking of taking tomorrow off, but am already itching to get back at it. Both Brian and I decided that we'll spend a little extra time here because it's simply paradise. The island is small, and you can walk into the little 'town' by all the dive companies. There are very few cars, but tons of scooters.... there is sand EVERYWHERE all the time, and the weather is beautiful. Really can't ask for more!!!!
So we'll stay here for a little while longer, and then head inland to Bangkok and the Tiger Temple...then over to Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and then northern Thailand for the elephant sanctuary.
It's funny, I found myself a little, not a lot, but a little grumpy this afternoon. I woke up at 6 to do my two morning dives, and didn't sleep well... diving burns a LOT of calories, so I was STARVING when we got back.... and Brian was rushing off to do his dives, so I felt a little grumpy, but in the last half hour, although still tired... and still a little hungry.... it's hard not to have a smile on your face here...it's just absolute paradise.
I also don't think I've seen so little of Brian since before Christmas...
