Earlt Morning Commute on The Star Ferry, Hong Kong

These ferries cost about 30 cents for a gorgeous 10 min ride between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. What a way to go to work!

Dim Sum Delights

It seems to me that few things in life are finer than discovering new foods that are delicious. Such was the case for Peter and I when we tried Dim Sum in Hong Kong. I'd had Dim Sum before- a long time ago I admit- and all I really remember is chicken feet. And chicken feet that tasted weird at that.

Nevertheless, Peter and I decided to give this thing a shot. And holy cow, I'm glad we did! It was an absolute revelation. However, like most good things in life, it took some work to find it. We were looking for a particular place called Maxim's. The guide book put us close, but failed to mention that this restaurant was INSIDE City Hall on the THIRD floor and didn't open until 11am. We managed to walk the entire way around the building before asking a security guard where it was. We then found our way inside and eventually figured out it was upstairs. Only then did we find out it didn't open for another half hour. At this point, I was so hungry that I was about ready to eat my own arm off and was ready to bail on this whole deal. However, Peter wisely suggested that we stay and at least check it out.

A half hour later we sit down and immediately ladies pushing carts piled full of small, piping hot bamboo boxes descend upon us. They open up the little boxes for us, revealing their mysterious and delectable contents. We point, not really knowing at what. She lifts a plate of pale, slimy looking noodle pockets with shrimp inside onto our table and pours two different dark sauces on them. We have nothing left to do but try them. After the first bite, Peter and I look at each other with excited, incredulous grins. This tastes AMAZING! More carts, more little dumplings, more delicious flavors. We even try some fried squid tentacles (which aren't too bad) and continue to stuff ourselves with little bits of Chinese goodness. Pork buns, shrimp pockets, stir fried pork, sesame-covered donuts filled with sweet red bean and tasty tea to wash it all down! And did I mention the views of Hong Kong harbor? Yeah, it was fun.

My Blue Shirt

I got a new shirt.

It's blue with short sleeves and it's custom cut to my exact specifications.
And it's too short. Too short (by just a bit) because I didn't want it to be too long so I told the nice gentleman measuring me to make it just a bit shorter than normal. Turns out he did. And it turns out he knew what he was talking about.

Peter and I are in Hong Kong and one of the things Hong Kong is famous for is the custom tailored shirts. Its fame for this is evidenced by the fact that as our two hulking 6 foot-plus, white boy frames walk down the streets of Hong Kong we are constantly bombarded by men coming up to us and asking "You want tailored suit? You want tailored suit? I make you nice suit." We usually ignore them or sometimes say "No thank you." But one time, we answered, "Sure, what the heck."

And now I have a blue shirt, custom cut to be too short.