Hibbets' Happenings

Two days and another class down already. Yesterday morning we ate breakfast and did a few things around here but left around 11:00 -- we decided to try to find Stanley Market. We took our umbrellas with us! We figured we better chance it and get out in case the weather kept us in the rest of the week. It did rain on us some, but not too bad. Mostly we were under cover during rain. We caught the 25 bus here at Braemar Hill and rode past Causeway Bay to Central. We wanted to catch another bus to take us to Stanley, but we had to find the bus stop. It was raining at this point, and we weren't sure where to go. I took some pictures of the kids while David figured out our plan. Eventually we found the bus -- Bus 66. It would take us to Stanley Plaza, and then we'd have to figure out how to go on to Stanley Market. It was about a 45-minute ride to Stanley Plaza. The ride was really neat; Stanley Market is located on the exact opposite side of Hong Kong Island than North Point. I'm not sure if the route we went was up and over -- there is a mountain in the middle of the island -- or if we went around. But we saw lots of pretty hills and apartment buildings, and even a few houses (I'm sure for the wealthy, up in the hills) -- the scenery was nice. It was about 2:00 when we got to Stanley Plaza. We decided to go inside and look around and find something for lunch. We picked a floor, almost at random. There was a "bank" (I think just ATMs), a photo shop, a makeup shop, a few other shops, and a restaurant. It was called The Natural Gourmet. We checked out the posted menu and decided to give it a try. It looked a little more pricey than the places we had been eating, but not terrible. Plus, we're always game for trying new things. I'm not sure about the "Natural" part, but it was definitely gourmet -- but still casual, too. It was a neat mixture. I did not feel uncomfortable in my jeans and tennis shoes and having the kids -- now, we did stay outside on the terrace rather than going inside -- but it seemed fine. We decided to try a salad that looked really good -- salmon with corn and feta cheese and some kind of curry dressing. And for our entrees, I ordered the roasted duck with green curry and coconut sauce served with steamed rice; David ordered the Australian Beef Medallion and Salmon with steamed (grilled?) vegetables. First the waiter brought out the plates and forks and set the table for us. He brought us cold water in glasses -- which seemed strange, because the Asian restaurants give you hot tea in little cups. He brought us two rolls -- they looked like little loaves of bread -- in a basket. It was cool, so we requested tea, which he asked if we wanted now or later, and we asked to have it then. It was the Twinings English Breakfast Tea, which we've bought at home. He brought it in a cute little teapot, and two cups and saucers, and a dish of thinly sliced lemon. We decided to try the lemon in our tea, and we enjoyed it. Then he brought our salad -- you'll have to check out the picture. It was so pretty. And very delicious. I really liked it. It was all kinds of vegetables and greens, plus the salmon. Very yummy. (Jerold, figure out a clone recipe for us! Except David didn't care for the salmon in the salad.) Then he brought our soup, which was a surprise, because we didn't order soup. I had asked what the soup of the day was -- cream of broccoli. I just nodded, as in, okay, I understand -- and then the waiter brings cream of broccoli soup. Later I figured out that it was included in the "set." It was very good. Thinner and not as creamy as in the States, and no broccoli chunks, it was a very fine consistency, but it was good. Jayden wouldn't eat it; I was hoping she would. She woke up about this time. He cleared away our soup and brought our entrees. I had a lot more food on my plate than David -- that's what tends to happen when you order two meats like that. He got the two meats and not much else (only a few vegetables). My duck and vegetables, with the rice and sauce, was absolutely wonderful. I ate every bite -- except what I shared with David. It was spicy and delicious. I couldn't taste the coconut, and I'm not familiar with green curry vs. regular, but regardless, this was good. I drank some more tea for dessert. We were full, but in a good way. That meal really stuck with me, too. It was a little more expensive than what we'd been paying for a meal, but we figured a splurge was worth it. Plus, it was our "last meal" before beginning our fast day, so we needed a good balanced meal. But the total bill was only $36US. Unbelievable! There is no telling what that meal would have cost us in Monroe. Well, for our anniversary year before last David took me to Canard's, and that was $60, I believe, which I think was just garden side salads and a main dish -- and we didn't get much food for our entrees. And isn't Tokyo like $40/couple? I may not be remembering right. Regardless, I feel like we got a really good deal. (And for future ULM Hong Kong travellers, I left the brochure they gave us in the drawer in the apartment so you can check it out when you're here, if you want.) We took our time and really enjoyed ourselves. Then we withdrew some money from the ATM right there beside the restaurant and decided to head on to Stanley Market. We saw that we could catch Bus 63 there at Stanley Plaza to take us to Stanley Market (originally we didn't know if we'd have to walk, but there were several busses and mini busses going from Stanley Plaza to Stanley Market). Bus 63 is a big wheelchair accessible bus, PLUS we saw that it goes back to North Point! So we decided to go home another way. It's not far from Stanley Plaza to Stanley Market. Stanley Market was a LOT of vendors selling all kinds of things -- souvenirs, art, jewelry, clothes, bags, toys, some at very good prices. David bought 20 (TWENTY!) ties for $25US, all 100% silk. We took a picture today -- they'll be in my next set of pictures I post. He also got two Ralph Lauren polo shirts ($8US each), a linen blazer ($60US) and linen shirt ($25US), and a casual jacket ($8US). I got three things at the same place David got the little jacket -- a pair of casual pants and two tops -- each $10HK -- that's like $1.30US each. One dollar!! I'm wearing the pants and one of the tops right now. I got David to take a picture of me so you could see (tomorrow). We also bought two oil paintings (not original, but pretty) -- one of Hong Kong (this was on my want list going into this trip) and one for our room that's of part of a sculpture -- it's one I feel like I should recognize, but I don't know off-hand. Maybe if I think about it and it's not too much trouble, I'll take a picture of it to see if you know what sculpture it is. Or maybe it's just a copy of a famous painting. I'm not good with my art. Maybe my sister will know. Anyway, we got both of those for $110HK -- so less than $15. It's going to cost us much more than that to get them framed. Oh well, we'll deal with that later. I got two other clothes: a red Asian-looking jacket and a similar blouse -- I don't remember how much, but not expensive. Maybe $25US for the jacket? I also got some souvenirs I wanted: a Christmas tree ornament, and some Chinese dishes (a teapot and teacups and spoons). And we were able to get a few souvenirs for others, too. Speaking of, Nana, we found a monkey -- not in Stanley, that was the other day when we went to Kowloon and shopped. We were able to get a monkey for your friend ($6.50US) and a dragon for Daniel. We also got us a coffee mug (I like to have those) and me a spoon for my collection (my tradition, which is cheaper than David's -- chess sets!). I also got some Chinese table linens with chopsticks. We got Jayden a little Chinese dress; I'll have to put her in it and take her picture. We got some postcards and some playing cards, and I don't know, maybe a few other things I'm forgetting about right now. Oh, Joshua's t-shirt: "I survived Hong Kong!" What about DeWayne, is there something in particular he requests? We saw one idea in Stanley Market but we weren't sure if he would like it or not. It sure makes it easy when we know of something specific to look for. I saw some cute little Asian dolls I thought about getting for Jayden, but when I handed her one she didn't react to it. So I didn't get it. I have been thinking about that Chinese food play set in that variety store and am going to think about getting that for her. That might be a cute thing to have. We finished up our shopping about 6:30. The market closes at 7:00. We were getting tired, anyway. It felt later than it really was. We had a little trouble finding where to catch the bus to go home. We had decided we would take Bus 63 all the way back to North Point, then catch Bus 27 to home. Finally we saw someone to ask and he was able to tell us where to go. We were the first and almost the only ones on the bus. It took about 45 minutes to get us back to North Point. Originally we thought we might do a few things in North Point before heading home, but by the time we got there Jayden was asleep and we'd been gone so long, we just crossed the street to the bus stop and waited for the bus to come. We did have to wait a while, but once you get on the bus it's not a long ride up the hill to the Braemar Hill stop. We're getting to know that route pretty well. We're not as familiar with the Bus 25 route; yesterday was my first time to ride that bus, and only David's second. Getting around Hong Kong is very easy. There are so many options. Ours are a little limited because of the wheelchair, but even so, we don't have any problems getting around. So just think how many ways an able-bodied person can travel! There are so many it's almost overwhelming. We got home and didn't do too much, as I recall. This morning I worked and we all stayed inside. About 4:00 David decided to go down to North Point with Jayden. He had fixed us some yummy stir-fry for lunch around 2:00. He used the wok and we ate on Chinese dishes and everything -- but we did use forks. I think he went into some shops in North Point. He brought back two breads from the bakery for us to try. They were good. Jayden liked them, too. David's been talking about the bakery more than me, lately -- he says I've got him hooked! Speaking of bread, I bought some flour and yeast Monday when Miranda took me to the Park n Shop (yeast is very cheap here!) and I also have some baking powder. Miranda let me borrow a loaf pan. So now I'm eager to make us a loaf of bread -- maybe tonight or tomorrow. David also mentioned pancakes, so I think we'll have pancakes and scrambled eggs for breakfast tomorrow, yum! Class tonight went well. I feel like the students are responding well to me. I could be reading them wrong, but I hope not. It has been a very enjoyable experience. I do have to grade their exams, and they're giving group presentations on Sunday which I'll have to grade. That's the worst part about teaching -- the grading! I'm sure all the students wouldn't mind if I gave up that part, right? Jayden's asleep and Joshua and David are watching TV. I'm going to finish this up -- I had a lot of catching up to do -- and work on something else (bread, maybe?). Tomorrow I have some work to do but we'll also plan to get out, I'm not sure where. We can go to Kowloon to pick up David's suit or go somewhere new or go back to somewhere we've already been. We don't know anything about home group yet, and I don't know if Magdalynn has already left town. I guess we may try to check in with her tomorrow. We could go to WinterFest in Central tomorrow and check out Santa's town. I would like to go in the early evening so we can enjoy the lights. Also, when we drove through Central on the bus, I saw the Ruth's Chris Steak House. We have never been and always talk about going every time we see one. I wonder if this will be the trip.... (I doubt it, but it's nice to think about.) I still want Pizza Hut while we're here. It's just something neat to me to say we tried Pizza Hut in Hong Kong. I had it in Paris, so it would be neat to add to my list of international experiences. More later (please keep those emails coming!) Aleecia