More HK Pics

We had some cloudy weather and didn't get a great skyline shot of HK. Here is the postcard (evening) version and something fairly similar to our hotel view in the mid-levels area. The views are pretty great all around.



















Good shot of JSP in the market (but too easy to be a Where is Jin Sun? candidate).












Bamboo scaffolding still seems to be the norm here. These guys build it and tear it down by hand!
















Even our friend (and proud American) Jimmy C. would be comfortable in westerner-friendly HK!



















The infamous Chungking Mansion. Known as a place to get "anything" or disappear into a new identity. Good article on Chungking Mansion here.
http://www.worldhum.com/dispatches/item/hope_and_squalor_at_chungking_mansion_20070813/

Macau - Vegas in Asia

Macau is the Vegas of Asia- just an hour away from Hong Kong by boats running all night.

The Venetian is the casino of choice for many. Baccarat the game of choice. Can you even tell we're in Macau?

Jeff vs Bamboo Forest

Not to be out kung fu-ed by Jin Sun, Jeff trains his travel-softened hands (registered legal/lethal weapons) a small cluster of bamboo trees.

Hong Kong - Enter the Dragon: JSP vs. Bruce Lee

We walked along HK's version of the Walk of Fame... and look who we found.


After honing her skills along the water, JSP battles Bruce Lee. His Dragon style is no match for her Fists of Fury.

'Die, Wax Figure of Bruce Lee, Die!'

Shirtless in Hong Kong

And the trend continues on it's way through Asia...

More Shanghai Shots

The famous view of the Pudong skyline (huge and still growing fast - 2 of the top 5 tallest buildings in the world are there- see other pic below) from the Bund.










Both of these towers house Hyatt hotels despite the fact that they're less than a block apart.












Jin Sun can't escape fashion week, Sephora, her namesake or dancing bar girls...

Where's Jin Sun? - Shanghai Edition

Here we are standing in line for Shanghai steamed dumplings. See if you can find JSP.

Kanye West in Shanghai? Uh-huh

Comin' up in the spot looking extra fly - JSP wants to touch the sky...




We stayed an extra day in Shanghai- couldn't resist this American Boy.

Special Guests in Shanghai

Thanks to our good friend Chi Chi, we were able to hook up with Bob, Li Kheng, Brian and Kerry.

How's this for a small world story-
Jeff worked with Bob's cousin Pierce at his last job and Brian from Albany knows loyal reader J. Corcoran.

That's Levitation, Holmes

The Mag-Lev train from the Shanghai airport to Shanghai proper takes 7 minutes and goes 430 km/hour. No wheels. They're building one that will travel from Shanghai to Beijing, cutting an overnight trip down to a short day trip.

430 km/hour is roughly 270 mph to you and me. Either way, that's hauling serious balls.

JSP In Search of Shanghai Dumplings...

The quest for the perfect Shanghai dumpling- pan fried and steamed. Each dumpling is filled with broth and meaty goodness- the trick is to delicately bite through the dough and let it cool a bit before eating to prevent the burning squirt. See video for Bourdain's fave, where we stood in line for steamed buns.

Where's Jin Sun? - Beijing Edition

Installment #3. Find JSP in the crowd. This is the last easy one-

Has the Westernization of China Gone Too Far?

Hooters, TGIF, and Sizzler (branded as Californian cuisine). We also saw a Kenny Roger's Roasters, but didn't get the picture in time. We later found out that KRR, though officially shut down in the US, is owned and operated by a 'rogue' Chinese capitalizing on the brand name. Who knows where he sources and what he serves these days...

Shirtless at The Great Wall

Of all the photos we have of ourselves at one of the 7 Wonders of the Medieval World, we chose to post this one. You can't tell by these but it was quite chilly on the wall.

Where's Jin Sun? - Beijing Edition

Installment #3. Find JSP in the crowd. This is the last easy one-