Hong Kong and China

Today I'll show you a bunch of random photos from my trip to Hong Kong and China. It was my 8th (or was it 9th or maybe even 10th?) time there so nothing was really new. I remember the first time I went where everything was all exciting and it's not really anymore. I've seen the sites and done the exploring on previous trips so this time just went to the trade fairs and ran a few errands in Hong Kong. The best part about the trip was actually coming home.

 

This is a bakery's shop window in Hong Kong. There was surprisingly little Halloween in HK this year but this cute cake made up for it.

I love 7-Eleven in Hong Kong. It's where I get a mini bottle of wine to take to my hotel room and it's also where I get fun candy for Wille. They also always have cute promotional stuff.

 

Lunch in Hong Kong usually equals sushi for me. This time I had a great view of the Japanese homestore across the aisle.

After two days in Hong Kong my collegues and I took the train into mainland China and Guangzhou where the BIG trade fair is (50 000 booths over a period of a couple of weeks!). It's located in an area of new futuristic buildings with these creepy walkways in between. That's a real taxi down there in the street three stories below. Eeek!

There's a lot of standing around going on in China. Like so...

...and so...

... and again...

... and some more.

Here's one place where I'd rather not be standing. I'm familiar with these "facilities" from France but I refuse to get used to them.

I had very little time to shop in Hong Kong this time but did a mad dash in a Watson pharmacy and besides from the regular cold remedies I get there (much stronger than any stuff we get over here...) I couldn't resist the fever patches. I hope I'll never have to use them but the packaging was to cute to pass up.

My other supermarket sweep type of experience always takes place in one Japanese home store or other. This time I found one I hadn't been in before and besides from some other Japanese necessities like a "New Butterdish" (so glad it wasn't an old one) I just had to have the scouring sponge with the happy dish washer.

Apart from the goodies above I also brought a terrible cold home with me. It's still making me really tired so I'll sign off here and go make myself a cup of tea. Have a lovely Tuesday!

Comments

[Petra from NL]

So... will you try to keep that sponge wrapped for as long as possible, using other sponges in the meantime? It won't be as nice once you unwrap it, right?

[ibb]

Try to take care of yourself and recover from so busy trip.

[fiona hart]

Hi Benita,
Thanks for sharing some of your latest travels with us... uummm that wc doesn't look fun... but the sushi looked lovely.

Hope you get better really soon.

p.s. i've really enjoyed your trip down memorylane lately. (b & a)

Fee x

[Frau Mayer]

Please make sure it's no swine flu! There've been some cases here (Germany) after school kids going to Ireland and they all are pretty sure they got it at some airport.

[Sara]

You're so funny, Benita! Every time I travel, I do most of my shopping in the grocery stores and drug stores too. It's so fun seeing everyday things in a completely different way.

[jen]

I have always loved Japanese packaging (thus began my love of packaging in general!). My Japanese roommate's mother brought me some things when she visited once. I had a very hard time throwing away the bag of shrimp chips just because it was so charming!

And who knew 7Eleven was in Hong Kong? It's an American company.

[carol k]

The standing pictures cracked me up! Random standing.
I love all that cute packaging and that you documented your trip and are willing to share it with us. That glass walk way would give me vertigo.

[Traci]

Maybe this was explained in previous posts but why do you often go to China and Hong Kong? Just curious! I have never been but it would be interesting to go one day!

[quinn]

I also do my travel-shopping at the grocer and chemist :)

Thanks for explaining the fever-patch...I never would have guessed, and it would have been in the back of my mind all day.

Get lots of rest, plenty of fluids, and feel better soon!

[Lieseth]

Just wanted to let you know I signed up for the 'Get organized for the Holidays' workshop!
Thanks for the tip & get well soon!
Groetjes from Belgium,
Liesbeth

[Lessie]

Great group of photos -- the ladies are so elegant. Had me checking out my appearance. :) The "facilities" -- ????

[Nina]

Hong Kong seems like such a bizarre experience, mostly because I don't think the customer service is matched anywhere else. The packaging sure is cute, everything looks so happy. Well, except those 'facilities'.

[azaleastudio.blogspot.com]

Thanks for this fun post. I'm sorry you're sick. They have those creepy glass walkways here in the US too at convention centers. I have heard about the "hole the floor" but didn't expect them to look like this. Very interesting.

[jessica]

I encountered the "facilities" in Japan for the first time and flat out refused to do more with them then take a picture squatting over one. The bathrooms in Japanese homes are also very complex, with all of the electronic buttons on the toilet.

I am personally a big fan of the Japanese wash cloths! I can finally find them in American and am very happy about it. Hmmm....perhaps a nice shower is in order now...

Feel better!

[Cassie]

Thanks for the photos, they are great! That glass(?) bridge thingy looks scary! I don't think I'd like that, haha.

I love the packaging for the fever patches as well. Too cute!

[Cancale]

Oooh, I am sooo jealous! Used to go to HK on biz trip for many years and I really miss it. Watsons, 7/11 and Jumbo in Pacific Place (my favourite stationery shop), could just pack my bags and fly over immediately.
You are such a lucky girl (well aware anyhow that transcontinental biz trips for few days only are really exhausting)

[Aku]

I actually prefer these toilets in China simply because they are the most hygienic ones! You don't have to touch ANYTHING while in the toilet. Brilliant! :)

[Chris]

I love your China pictures ^_^