Back to Asia - Hong Kong & Macau

*We were here in early January, but finally getting around to catching up the blog (6 months later) with the rest of our journey.

We took a detour from Asia to spend Christmas with our families in the States and departed on New Year's Day for Hong Kong. 

On our way to Hong Kong, we endured an overnight layover in Beijing. I say endured because the day we arrived to Beijing, the air quality was at its worst level since China began monitoring their pollution. The air outside the airport was so thick with brown smog that we couldn't even see the buildings across the street. We were lucky our flight out of Beijing the next morning wasn't cancelled like many other flights were that day!

Fortunately, the smog hadn't reached Hong Kong by the time we landed, and we had perfect weather to check out this bustling city for a couple days. This autonomous territory has much interesting history and it showed in the architecture, food, and culture. Hong Kong is a city you discover over a long period of time, and our 2 days there were barely enough to scratch the surface!

A lucky start to a New Year, we celebrate in Hong Kong with friends who were traveling their to visit family at the same time. Thanks for everything Tiffany and Dave!

Tiffany looking for a deal on a magnet in Ladies Market

Laser Light show in downtown Hong Kong on Victoria Harbour

Skyline view of all the great buildings in Hong Kong from The Peak. Worth a visit to learn as each building has a fascinating history.

You can only find this elusive man by the water at certain hours of the day... but for your money, little is a better treat than the "Mobile Softee".

A ride on a classic Hong Kong Star Ferry is a peaceful and rewarding experience that has been shared by generation after generation.

Some dim sum offerings at classic, hectic Luk Yu Tea House

By pure serendipity we ended up sharing Dim Sum with a master of teas and a Hong Kong legend... Mr. Leung and his friends made our last day in HK something we won't easily forget

No wonder HK gets filmed by Hollywood so often!

MACAU

Although it looks like a Disney World façade, this is actually Senado Square in the old city center of Macau

Pastel de nata at Margaret's Cafe