National Week's Top 6

Last Week was China's National Day and I had a week off of work because of it. I did what I was told to do. "Do not visit anything in China, during any national holiday!" Okay, okay.

So here are the highlights from my excursion to Hong Kong and Cebu, Philippines.

1. The Bullet Train
My first time on one of these. It went 200 miles an hour, though it didn't seem like it, and it still had to make several stops. It was comfortable enough, and only 30 dollars for the 4-hour jaunt to the Chinese border.  Unfortunately, from there, it was another 2 hours of border crossing and other transportation into Hong Kong- which is, yes technically, still China. Officially it is called the "Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China." 

2. The Skyline of Hong Kong
Nicest from the mainland, and also pretty when you are on the ferry. 

5. The Big Buddha View
Surprised by delight. This is only my second huge one but, I like visiting the enormous statues(the other was the reclining Buddha in Bangkok). I loved the beautiful, affordable bus ride to the remote site and uh-mazing view from the top of the many STAIRS (I like stairs, as well!) up to the carved figure. It was also strikingly quieter than the city.

3. The Tarsiers
These little monkey-looking creatures!  They are endangered, rare and simply cute. We saw them at a sanctuary in Bohol, Cebu.

4. The Beach
Wow. Could not believe my eyes. Overwhelmed to be in such a place. Jealous of whoever is at this Anda, Cebu, Philippines' seaside now. 

6. Chocolate Hills
I wish is was clearer and that I could have hiked or rode around IN them, but still happy to have seen them. They are the main reason I decided to head to the country comprised of more than 7,000 islands.

How could I not like a trip with these 6 amazing highlights?!?
I won't go into detail about the raincheck-needing weather, the closed port, the crowds, the long lines, the beggars, nor the crazy amount of time traveling. :) These highlights are outstanding; zenith even, so all in all- a great trip to Hong Kong and number 4-0. 

Dubai, Refreshing

Dubai

I went to Dubai for the weekend. Really enjoyed it. I wasn't sure if I would like all the glitz and glam, but I really did. Often on Sundays in our 3A morning meetings, we do a lightning share, which means every student can share something but it must be lighting quick. I usually say, "Describe your weekend in 1 or 2 words."  That's what I said today. I shared, "Dubai, refreshing."


Easy Transportation
Dubai's clean reliable Metro is one reasons I give it kudos. It's mostly rode by the approximately 80% foreigners that live in the UA emirate. I'd guess the majority of Dubai's residents are actually Indian. I'd also guesstimate 70% of them are men. Which makes it nice that there are special Women and Children Only metro cars. I like. Metro tickets are reasonably priced, as well. A day pass is equivalent to about 6 US dollars. 



A Few Things I Experienced on my Visit

Palm Island
I went to the, man-made, so-big-can-see-from-space, palm tree- shaped, island.

(I did not take this picture.) Atlantis is in the middle at the bottom.

Atlantis
Went to Atlantis, a hotel themed after the mythical underwater city with the same name. My students love Atlantis and talk about it, so I wanted to go see it. They actually stay there, though.  During my visit, I wondered, "What is the big deal?" But, if I was to stay there, I would have a sweet room and access to the beach. I wasn't impressed, but if I get more info on how to swim with the dolphins and sea lions there, I might change my tune. 

Inside a room. Ditto on not taking this one.

Burj Kalifa
A rode the super fast and smooth elevator up to the tall Burj Kalifa. I had gorgeous weather and I went at 8 am so there were hardly any other visitors. I loved it. The entrance is inside the mall.

The size of the Eiffel tower and other famous land marks in comparison to Burj Kalifa. 

Dubai Mall
The world's biggest mall, Dubai Mall has an ice rink and an aquarium. I went to college next to the Mall of America and Kuwait has the whole shmansy (as in fancy-shmansy) mall scene, so not much new there. I went both days before the shops were open though. I really enjoyed wandering and snapping a few shots when it was virtually empty. Except for all the worker and cleaners. I drank my joe and people watched in front of the fountain and the Burj Kalifa. 








There's also another mall(I also visited), Mall of the Emirates, with an indoor ski destination, Ski Dubai. 

Heritage Village
On the last day, Mary and I, happily, wandered into the Heritage (old city) area. Very picturesque. 








Maybe Next Time
Next time I want to explore a bit more of the trendy, Marina area. And I missed the famous evening fountain show at the Dubai mall! Traffic, darn you. I really wanted to experience that. I'd also like to spend some time at one of their clean public beaches. Maybe even skydive! Never done that before. And I wanna see me some flamingos. Maybe next time.

Just like in Kuwait, car seats are not required by law.

Family dinner: Husband, wife and mother-N-law on one side, nanny and the kids, on the other. Not an uncommon sight in Kuwait either.

Dubai graffiti?

They even have San Francisco style trolleys?

CAMEL MILK chocolate anyone?

Sweet English and Arabic combo of the name. 

Are you a Family or a Bachelor?

Movies in Kuwait
I went and saw the new Hunger Games movie this week.  I was expecting movies to be released later in Kuwait than in Nebraska, but it was out earlier.  I went to a 5:30 pm showing on the 20th. The theater was not full.  I don't know if it was censored, but I've been told it is better to go to the earlier showings because movies get more censored the longer they play.  I did notice that when I went to see The Giver a kiss was cut out.  

I went online the night before to buy my Mockingjay tickets.  I had to enter if I was a family or a bachelor.  This made me hesitate since I am neither.  My hunch was confirmed, I am a family.  Single men have their own section.  It's unfortunate for them that it is in the too close, up front, section.

My hunch was based on this sign I had noticed at a small park in my neighborhood.  No single men are allowed to enter the park.

Parent Teacher Conferences
I survived Parent Teacher conferences.  In fact they were good.  I hadn't met some of my students' parents and it was a nice break from the normal routine.  The classroom was much quieter than a typical Thursday.

I also received lots of quality chocolate. I don't mind that at all.  

That is my new rug, under the Godiva.

A Dust Storm Hit our Room
One day this week, after we lined up for Arabic class, I called a child over to the other side of the room with me and asked, "Does it look like a tornado hit our room, to you?" "Yes." he replied nodding. "Like a dust storm hit our room." Of course that does make more sense here. Cute.

Walking

Another picture from the Marina mall trail.

Office Max in Kuwait?
I thought this logo looked very similar to Office Max's store front. It is actually a Dollar General type store.

Down Time
I think being a teacher is getting a bit easier because I actually read an entire book this week and had enough energy to cook.

Stuffed peppers, it's been too long.

This about sums up the excitement of my weekend.  But then again, I wasn't looking for excitement.