Stanley Market

Okay, we're back! It's been an insanely busy few days in Hong Kong, getting over severe sleep deprivation, adjusting to the time change, and staying busy with the girlies. But we've had a ton of fun in the process and it's nice to have access to the Internet again.

A couple of days ago the entire group jumped the ferry across the harbor in HK and then into a taxi (two, actually) to the famous Stanley Market, a massive network of outdoor and semi-outdoor stalls that sell, well, everything and anything. The ride there is half the the fun (though Colleen would beg to differ since she got motion sick): up and down rugged cliffs that run along the ocean and past Repulse Bay. After about 30 or 40 minutes, though, you come up on Stanley Market. We'd been there before, but this was new to my folks and Danielle, so we were excited to be back. It wasn't too long before my folks decided to break off from the group and do their own thing. It was very crowded, and staying together as a group of seven is tough. Plus, my dad was anxious to move on ahead of us and get to Repulse Bay where he spent some good times in 1958 as a navy officer. The remaining 5 of us, though, did some damage at the shops (see pic of Emma trying on dresses), had lunch at a place we enjoyed 2 years ago, and had a wonderful afternoon overall. Danielle even managed to buy her mom some 1000+ thread count sheets, and haggled with the store owner like a pro! And, I'll say it again: Danielle has the the MOST wonderful addition to this trip. A wonderful, mature, and sensitive young woman. We love her, and so do the girlies. And, get this: there was a Starbucks there and I did NOT stop in for a bracer. That's right, I did NOT stop in (sorry Deb!). I would make up for my negligence in the days ahead, though.

Thanks to everyone! More in next post about the trip to Macao!