First off, may I just say thank you to everyone who commented on my finished Venezia. Every comment made me so happy and feel so great that I was filled with all kinds of blog love since I posted. So thank you.
I am finally getting back into the groove of things since I have been back about two weeks now. My trip was so amazing that it is really hard for me to give a quick and dirty report on it. So I decided instead to do a list. A top ten list if you will. With pictures. This is the first of probably 4 installments about my trip. So I hope you enjoy it even though there is no knitting content. If not, well then I may have another FO for you by the end of next week so you can stay tuned for that…fun huh?
Okay, on to the list…
10 really cool reasons my Hong Kong/Thailand trip rocked:
10. Really Big Buddhas:
You might think I am joking. I am not. First, there was Tian Tan in Hong Kong:
The cool features of this temple/attraction are the long stairs going up to the Buddha and the gondola ride to get to the “village.” I say “village” because it is totally commercialized and manufactured to look like an authentic old Chinese village but despite its tourist trappings it is still fun. The Buddha itself is quite a thing to see. It is the world’s largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha. For real.
But just when you think you have seen all the big Buddhas you are going to see…then comes Thailand with the largest reclining Buddha I have ever seen.
Crazy right? We visited this Buddha on New Years day which was probably a bad idea due to the crowds but I am glad we waited in line. I mean look at it? Just gorgeous.
Honestly, I had no idea I would enjoy visiting really large statues of Buddha so much. Know what might be a fun vacation…a tour of all the big Buddhas in the world. I will be you would see some amazing places. Just a thought.
9. Eating Ice Cream/Gelato:
Most of you don’t know my family. For those who do you know one thing…we love the ice cream. We mostly managed to control ourselves while we were in Hong Kong but for our last 5 days in Thailand, all bets were off. It was impossible to resist really. I don’t know what it is about Asia but there were Haagen Dazs stores EVERYWHERE. That is where it started, divine Haagen Dazs. Where there was not a Haagen Daz store, there was a gelato cart. And then, on a particularly draining day we literally stumbled across…a Baskin Robbins cafe. That is right, a CAFE. Who even knew that existed. They had menus and a waitress who came to your table and everything.
We ordered sundaes and banana splits and stuff. It was awesome.
8. Hong Kong Movie Theaters
I know, I know. You are not supposed to go to movies when visiting exotic locales on the other side of the world. I mean, going to a movie is the same experience wherever you go. Right? Oh no, this is very very wrong. Hong Kong movie theaters were like nothing I have experienced before. First, the chairs are wide, reclined and leather. Then there is the leg room, tons of it. The popcorn…three different flavors, caramel, salty, and sweet. And then there is the crowd. Remember the last time you went to the movies and no one talked or a cell phone didn’t ring and no one kicked the back of your chair? Yeah, I don’t either. Well, my fellow movie goers in Hong Kong were silent. It was a beautiful thing.
So there are the first three. Wednesday…#’s 7 – 5.
The following 9 comments were originally left at blogspirit:
Wow, I can only DREAM of going to a movie where people are silent! Once we were at a movie and a cell phone right behind us started ringing and the guy actually answered it! “Hey dude….yeah, I’m in a movie…it’s pretty sweet, you should have come….” I could have killed someone.
I’m excited to see more of your trip! Sounds like it was so much fun!
YUM!!! I am an ice cream-a-holic. Dacquiri Ice or Mint Chip all the way, baby. 🙂
What a clever way to report on your trip!
I can totally see the Buddha appeal.
what incredible statues. Thanks for sharing the photos – it’s great
Beautiful pictures, Erin! And for a minute I thought you’d dyed your hair blonde, but that must be another sister, eh?
Oh, I know you don’t think you know who this is, but really you do! I’ll give you a hint ~ I love the scent of lavender mixed with a little clary sage and lemongrass. It smells so gentle.
tee hee!
(I’m just trying to stay under the radar)
Wow! It looks like you guys had an awesome time. And as I told Kara, I am so jealous. And your parents look awesome!!
SOO jealous of your trip. I was just looking at your sister’s pictures too. You guys are too cute. Plus, everytime I see your Venezia in a picture I get lustfull. I want to knit that so bad. I’m gonna have to start buying that yarn in batches so I can afford it! Maybe by June I’ll have enough time to actually knit it 🙂
Those are amazing buddhas. Someday I want to make this trip too!
The huge Buddhas are so amazing! I have seen a TV special about the large Buddhas, and both of these were on there.
That BR cafe sounds so delish! 🙂