On Saturday, August 20 we flew from Cebu to Hong Kong. The weather in Hong Kong upon our arrival was terrible. A tropical low was sitting off the coast nearby causing heavy rains and flooding in the countryside. Fortunately, we had changed our plans about visiting mainland China because of warnings concerning malaria and avian flu. Although I was disappointed about that, it was just as well, as we heard that the weather was also very bad where we had been planning to go, resulting in flooding and washed-out roads. Entry into Hong Kong through immigration and customs was fast and efficient. We took a shuttle bus to our hotel, BP International House (http://www.bpih.com.hk/welcome.shtml), located in the heart of the island of Kowloon, near Kowloon Park. The hotel (shown in the website photo taken from the park) is a modern, high rise structure. Like most hotels in Hong Kong, the rooms are small. However, our rooms were clean and well-appointed. The room reserved for our family of four had two bunk beds. Luz and Christopher were next door in a standard room with two single beds. The hotel staff is courteous and helpful. Most understood and spoke English. The hotel location is excellent, only a half a block from Nathan Road, the major thoroughfare on Kowloon. It's proximity to the park is also great, as you can take advantage of the indoor and outdoor pools and other recreational facilities there. Shopping and a variety of restaurants are within walking distance, as are bus or subway transportation to other parts of Kowloon or Hong Kong island. We spent our five days (the first three of which it rained heavily) sightseeing and shopping. We got around using buses, subways (MTR) and the Star Ferry. Besides the Kowloon Park, we visited downtown Hong Kong, including a nightime trip to Victoria Peak via the Tram; Ocean Park (a marine and amusement park) and shopped in a variety of stores and markets in the area. We all enjoyed our time in Hong Kong, but after five days of hotel and city life, I think we were all ready to come home to rest and relax a little before the start of school and work. The flight home was rather uneventful, with the possible exception of some unexpected scrutiny from Hong Kong customs. As the final photo shows, Chris and Adrienne seemed to enjoy the apparently endless number of movies and cartoons available on the flight.
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