Giving Thanks: Friends

Thankful for fabulous friends who are family. (This pic is only meant to act as a symbol and not intended to leave anyone out.)

Giving Thanks: Family

I am thankful for this lovely, eccentric, quirky, humorous, and supportive family.

Giving Thanks: Partnership

So many things to be grateful for always, but especially during this week.  I am thankful for this guy and feel so lucky to get to explore life with him.

Eastern Thrills: Final Destination, Hong Kong

What a wildly familiar city, with the fusion of internationalism and Chinese culture, English ubiquitousness, and lots of money, Hong Kong was very similar to Shanghai.  The city was ruled by the Brits until the mid-90s, at which point the Chinese government agreed to allow the culture and local government to remain in control for fifty years, and then the PRC would take over. They consider Hong Kong and the rest of China: one government, two systems. The result is a very different and unique culture, including a different currency.

This city completely seduced me and I decided someday I may just need to live here. 

No overhang restrictions on streets like the U.S. = billboards galore.

Interesting dried goods for any condition.

The buildings are glorious. I loved the graphics on this one.

Skyline view from the highest peak in Hong Kong. 

Who knew Hong Kong is home to some of the world's most elite horse racing and cricket. 

On our way up to the highest peak. Oh, did I mention we took an elevator all the way up?

Buddhist temple.

Every day we hit up a new market. Hong Kong is home to the world's largest jade market (and designer knock-off market). 

I heart you Hong Kong.

What a city.

Farewell China; I hope to be back sometime to learn, see, smell, and eat more!

Eastern Thrills: Guilin and Yangshuo

We left Shanghai for Guilin. Guilin is a Southern "small" city of 5 million people. The city itself was not that interesting, but the surrounding areas were amazing. 

Yangshuo Village.

It was soooooo green.

These are multi-family houses for villagers.

Yangshuo Craft Market. Beware if you don't buy anything.

Yangshuo lady fiends I met. 

Matriarch.

They did a performance for us. Okay, I know what you're thinking, "Erin, are you exploiting rural villagers for touristic entertainment? " Well, yes, I guess I was.  It was really interesting though. These females have VERY long hair (yes they are extensions). They wrap it around their head dependent on their marriage status and the number of kids they have.

I think these were the un-maried girls.

This was some seriously primitive sh#*t.  

We then went to the village center and had lunch. 

We then traveled to the Dragon's Backbone Rice paddy terraces.

We had to climb up a mountain (via pathway).

Along the path were markets and restaurants. 

Mid-day snack.

Charred bats and rats, hmmmm...

The mountains surrounding the Dragon's Backbone were glorious.

I was tempted.

Terraces.

This landscape reminded me of the Sri Lankan tea fields. This was way more breathtaking though. Similar feel also to vineyards in Italy and CA.

Old lady sitting in front of a grave.

Lo ciento perrito.

Stunning landscape.

The three of us on top of the mountain. What do you think the sign says? 

They don't recycle in the cities but they sure did here!!

Harvesting.

Longhorn Sheep?

The long way back down.

Our next day's adventure outside the city was to a small town about two hours west of Guilin. 

Elephant Trunk Hill and Karst.

Market with Karst in background.

Li River.

Confucius Temple.

Next to come, our final destination: Hong Kong.