Sugah's Trip to China

Morning in HK

I woke up this am after about 6 hours of sleep. I headed out to explore the city. I am staying on Hong Kong Island and am near the Times Square shopping center. I walked towards this, but didn't go on a direct path. I turned down streets that looked interesting and just soaked it all in. It was about 10am and the streets were empty. I stopped in the Regal Hong Kong hotel for breakfast (my hotel only has a buffet). I got a bottle of water (HK$12) and apricot bread. I'd later find water for HK$2.50 - geez.

I walked around the Causeway Bay shopping district. I saw someone walking with her umbrella, and I remembered that I forgot mine, but I got a free gift by showing my passport at the mall - whatta ya know, the gift is a travel umbrella! I went to a grocery store and did some market research for Rob D. I had to look for several products and check out the prices and american offerings. I wrote it down and took pictures. The manager of the store kept checking on me from time to time. I thought I was going to get in trouble and flash backs of the movie Broken Down Palace flashed in my mind. So I bought some hair product and water and left untouched.

I finally made it to Times Square and found a 9 floor shopping center. I looked on each floor, interesting to see the culture. I went into Coach and Louie Vuitton. In both places the people working there followed me around like my shadow. I'm not sure if they were expecting me to open my wallet and plop down my life savings or if they thought I looked shady. I jumped on the MTR (metro) and headed to the Ladies Market - well known for cheap shopping. It is located across the harbor in Kowloon. I had to switch lines and it was fairly easy. They pack people on the trains like sardines.

Pictures of Times Square





There is three blocks of tents with all kinds of crap. Clothes, shoes, purses, watches, DVDs, etc. They all try to bargin with you, starting way too high, then you walk away and they come back lower. Unfortunately I blew all my cash early. I got a Louie Vuitton computer bag, just what I wanted. I also got Andrea's bday gift and the Prada purse Hazel wanted. It also was my first experience in a "secret room" with a locked door.....

I walked into one of the tents and looked at horrible knock-offs, I turned to walk out and she said "lookie here" and pulled out a catalog with Coach, LV, Prada, etc. I said ahhh how much. She flipped to the front of the catalog and written in english was "come with my to my store room I have more." My stomach flopped. This was the "secret rooms" that Scott W told me about (thankfully he did). Against better judgment - since I was alone - I went with her. I figured as long as it was the two of us, I could take her.

We walked through the tent into a building and up five flights of stairs. She unlocked a caged room and I walked into purse heaven. I was in purse heaven and locked in. The room was very cold and the walls were lined with great knock-offs. I settled on three and she wanted me to pay with credit card. While this would be a good so I could conserve money, something doesn't feel right giving your credit card for a shady deal, so I paid cash. Before we left she had to peak in the hallway to make sure the path out was clear.

I walked around some more, found a nice sweater set for my mom, but I'll have to go back tomorrow to get it. There is some knock-off Tiffany, but I couldn't do it, I want the real stuff. Others may not know it was fake, but I would.

Picture of Kowloon


By this time I was sweating like a whore in church and very tired as I had been walking around for 6.5 hours straight. There's no where to sit down in Hong Kong. But the time I decided to head back the streets were mobbed. I couldn't believe all the people.

Although it's so very hot and muggy, you get used to it - until you pause, then you realize how how you are. I took the MTR back to another station just east of the hotel and walked back a different way.

I called the front desk and ordered a massage. They come to your room! Erin and Mike should be arriving in a little while too. I'm going to see if they want to go to the Peak tonight. It's a high mountain where you can see the entire city, it's supposed to be amazing at night.

Here's a picture of the key hole for the lights for the room, someone requested to see it.

posted by Chrissy @ 3:21 AM