Asian Christmas

This year we spent Christmas in Asia. I hadn't been back for 5 years so I was excited to go...plus this was Justin's first time there, which made me very excited to go. My family moved to Shenzhen, China...a 30 minute ferry ride from Hong Kong International Airport. They live right on the water and have a beautiful views. During our 15 hour plane ride...that's right 15 hours...I kept reminding Justin that China is nothing like Japan. Sure they are on the same continent...but so is America and Mexico. Our plane ride was VERY long, but I slept and we had tons of movies at our fingertips. Here is the breakdown of our Christmas vacation.

Day 1: Landed in Hong Kong International Airport--took a ferry ride over to Shekou--was greeted by the entire family--ate some dinner--hit the sack.


Day 2: Took the ferry to Hong Kong--walked up and down the streets--LOVED IT!--Hong Kong reminds me of Japan...clean, expensive stores, follows the laws (of the roads), new skyscrapers--after a long day of walking we got foot massages--watched the light show...the entire skyline of HK is BEAUTIFUL and every night the skyscrapers have a synchronized light show...it was cool!--returned to our hotel.

Day 3: Flew to Phuket, Thailand--checked in to the Kamala Bay Beach Resort--hit the beach...but it was so crowded with 3 rows of Euros in speedos and grandmas in string bikinis...opted for the pool.

Day 4: Pool day--lunch on the beach--shopping on the beach--water aerobics.

Day 5: Pool day--$10 massage on the beach...for an hour!--dinner on the beach.

 









Day 6: Christmas Eve--toured the island--rode an elephant--dinner on the beach.

Day 7: Christmas Day--breakfast in Phuket--lunch in Hong Kong--dinner in China.

Day 8: Went to church, their branch meets in a living room of a house--Christmas dinner with some of my dad's colleagues...their first Christmas. They decorated their own Christmas tree, learned the true meaning of Christmas, ate a traditional Christmas dinner...ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, salad...many of them had never had any of this before and it was kind of funny seeing them pick up one green bean and put it in their mouth. They opened their own stockings and decorated sugar cookies to end the night. I think they all loved it, I mean who wouldn't?!

Day 9: My mom, Dave, Justin and I went to visit my dad at work and on our way there stopped at an art village outside of Shenzhen called Buji. This is RIGHT up Justin's alley. He LOVED it! I did too. Buji has over 1 million paintings ranging from all sizes. We saw a 40 ft. painting and it was beautiful! We actually went back another day to get more paintings...we left that place with not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 paintings! All for a couple of dollars--now the pricey part, frames. Come on Michaels...give us your 60 % off sale!

This is all of us at Huaewi, where my dad works. The place is gorgeous and huge! This is outside of his building.









Day 10: Shopping in Luohu...amazingly HUGE market where everyone calls you "Missy." We were succored into many great deals--for cheap quality. No regrets except the FUggs (fake Uggs) that lasted a whole taxi ride. We also rode bikes to Brian's school---and were nearly killed by cars and fellow bike riders. My bike cost a whopping $10 and it sure rode like it. Walmart is next to his school so we decided to check that out too...5 minutes and we wanted out! We'll never take our new, beautiful Walmart here for granted again. After 10 days of eating rice...my un-Asian-ified husband was in need of some comfort food. There was nothing more heavenly than seeing those golden arches.

Day 11: Justin and I took the train to Guangzhou, China. Home of the largest fabric market in the world. Can't even begin to explain the size of this place. 8 x 8 streets across and 7 stories high. We were overwhelmed, but had fun looking for fabrics to start up Novembr. Men's clothing is online! Check it out.

Day 12: Pamper day! My mom and I went to a beautiful spa for 2-hour long facials ($25), then walked down the street to get our hair washed--1 hour scalp massage--lying on our backs on a massage table with the sink below our heads ($3)--ate some lunch--off to get pedicures ($5). LOVE those China prices!

Day 13: New Years Day--after a tearful good-bye, we flew home to America--where everyone, well most, speak English!

Kissing 2010 good-bye!