New Fuzzy Friends!!

Little Bear made an adorable friend at the Hong Kong airport. I couldn't bear (wink, wink) to separate them, so we welcomed Little Panda to the family!

How could I say no to such an adorable pair?? (I totally squeed so hard when I saw this tiny panda. So cute!)

Little Bear made even more friends on the Singapore Air flight back to San Francisco. The steward's and stewardess's were so thankful for the chocolates we gifted them for their hard work on such a long flight, that they put together a small goodies bag for us. Inside where two small Singapore Air bears! A boy and a girl. Little Bear and Little Panda hung out with them at the Karaoke place. :D

Feb10 - Feb17th, 365 Challenge

Little Bear on the Ferry!

Feb10 -  Even with knowing Little Bear wasn't close to the edge, not having a hand on him made me super anxious! Can't risk loosing Little Bear!

Lychee and Ginger Drink on New Years Eve. Little Bear approved.

Feb 11 - Kitsune ordered this, and he really liked it. You pour the Pellegrino over all the crushed ice and carefully stir the syrup/fruit mix from the bottom into it. Cat ordered the same thing!

Little Bear found a Froggy friend in Taiwan Daan Park station! 

Feb 12 - Daan Park MRT Station had are really neat Spring Time instillation, where they had several of these frogs laying about and neat mosaic 'pools'. I took several pictures, will have to make a quick post about them sometime!

Much more adorable than it's Live Action counter part!

Feb 13 - There was a huge Game Convention next to Taipei 101 that we were able to get tickets to go see. Super packed, we waded through bodies to see all the latest game and virtual tech. Playing with Oculus Rift was really neat. Their was a roller coaster simulation and I had to grip the table in front of me so I wouldn't be 'one of those people'. You know...the ones who freak out and fall over. :P It is really neat.

Little Bear coming out to play!

 Feb 14 - Little Bear likes to poke out of his Bear Cave (my purse) and chill on my lap when I'm sitting down.

Cool lanterns in Hong Kong

 Feb 15 - Wandering around walking toward Wan Chai after Lunch at Shikon.

Honolulu Cafe has the Best Dan ta ever!

 Feb 16 - Found a restaurant near our place in Wan Chai that is a lot like the Australian Dairy Company food wise, but they have a bakery attached that has super good Dan ta.

Little Bear waves hello! So happy to be in Hong Kong!

Feb 17 - Little Bear chilling with his Kitsune while we wait for our Dan ta.

What A Crazy Busy Life

I fail at blogging.

Well, not really. I've just been ridiculously busy this last week. Our stay in Hong Kong has come to an end, and the last few days we were there, we spent out with family. I also caught a miserable chest cold, which made me not care about taking Little Bear pictures. (He's kinda miffed at me for it -.-')

Thankfully the flight from Hong Kong to San Fran was uneventful, and actually felt kinda quick. I swelled like a bloated seal unfortunately. I wear compression knee socks to try and combat the swelling that always happens on International flights, but it just wasn't taking this time. So annoying. We left Hong Kong at 11:45pm on a Friday. Arrived in San Fran at 7pm on Friday. Then we had a 12 hour layover.

So freaking tired.

The fabulously wonderful Debbie came and picked us up at the airport to try and help us stay awake. She took us to In and Out (my first time ever!) and it was actually really good! Not what I expected. Then it was off to Karaoke until 2am. So, with my chest cold I was loosing my voice, it made for some interesting singing haha. They kicked us out since 2am was when they closed, and we headed to a super sketchy Crepe Food Truck that was open super late. The place was really sketchy, but OMG those crepes were FRIGGING amazeballs. So good! I was surprised, I'm not really a crepe person, but these were epic noms.

Back at SFO we had to wait for security to open up so we could go through. We were entertained (not really) by a freaky dude that blasted 70's music from his phone and talked very loudly to himself and threw things.

Could not wait for the stinking gate to open.

Our flight time finally arrived, and it was so very very nice to finally be heading home. We didn't realize that a Saturday flight was one of the worst things ever.

SO MANY CHILDREN!!!!

We were toward the back of a plane full of people going on vacation with their little kids. Kids who had never been on planes before. They constantly had to use the bathroom, so it stunk so bad. They were noisy, screaming, crying...coughing and sneezing balls of epic germs.

Needless to say I wore my mask the whole flight.

We are also used to week day flights, were it tends to be business minded people who know how to grab their stuff and get of the plan quickly.

IT TOOK FOREVER TO GET OFF THIS FLIGHT

I could rant forever about moronic people, but I won't. We were home, and our bed is so amazing.

We had 2 glorious days to try and rest before leaving again for Kitsune's work conference. So now in San Francisco Bay, I have been wandering about as I was not allowed to even step foot into the conference area.

Super blustery day at the Bay! Walking back to the hotel from the conference.

American Airlines has the most atrocious on time rate ever. Only 60% of their planes are ever on time. That's awful! Kitsune wanted me to join him at the conference, so he had to pay out of pocket for my ticket. We went the cheap route and booked AA with a connecting flight through Charlotte.

Yeah....that so didn't happen.

We get to the airport and receive notice that the flight has been delayed. Kinda sucked, but it wasn't too bad. Then got another notice saying it was delayed even further. We were now missing our connection. So we went to the gate and talked to the girls behind the counter. And wouldn't you know it, we got the trainee who had no clue how to re-route our tickets. It took forever. Eventually they got it sorted, now flying to Phoenix, and connecting there to San Fran. Only hitch was that Kitsune was able to got a confirmed seat, while I was placed on stand-by.

UGH

We weren't able to sit next to each other on the flight to Phoenix, and both of us got stuck in the middle seat between strangers. It wasn't too bad for me, I was between 2 lady's who just wanted to read or sleep. Worked for me. I wasn't able to relax however, it's strange sitting between to unknown people. Not like I can sleep on planes anyways.

The San Fran flight was...surprise! Delayed as well, but I was able to get a seat at the last moment. And even better, the seat beside my husband was empty so I moved from the middle seat I was placed in and sat next to him. We arrived in San Fran a little after 11pm. So, after 2am Eastern Time.

Best cure for jet lag? If you can't sleep on planes...then more travel is the thing to do.

Sigh.

Crazy things happening while we are over here!

With a 6.4 earthquake hitting Southern Taiwan, and now rioting in Mongkok...it's been a crazy Chinese New Year!

pictures from the tv our family posted to let us know what was happening

It's sad to hear that the riot happened on the first day of Chinese New Year. Doesn't seem like a fortuitous occurrence. Our Hong Kong family made sure to message everyone warning about the riot as it was happening and to not go anywhere near Mongkok.

We are staying Island Side, so thankfully not anywhere near. Getting home after dinner at MaMa's was a bit of a challenge last night, with the Cathay Parade happening in Tsim Sha Tsui. We had to fight against a mass of people, with some of them telling us it wasn't worth it and just let the sea carry us away. They were moving in the wrong direction, so we persevered and were able to dodge out of the flow and find a way around behind the spectators still watching the ongoing parade.

Caught the ferry back to Wan Chai before the massive crowd, and went to bed.

Lab Made Return of Romance Feb 9, 365 Challenge

After dinner on New Year's Eve, the family followed Jun Jun to where he works - Lab Made Hong Kong. They have 4 different flavors that continually change, and this year Kitsune chose their option A. Return of Romance by Chow Sang Sang (Raspberry Rose and Lychee with white chocolate crunch)

It's so pretty!

Late Ferry Ride Back to Wan Chai Feb 8th, 365 Challenge

Hong Kong Island is always so interesting to look at from the Ferry at night :D The Ferris wheel is where the ferry to Central docks.

Chinese New Year for MaMa at her senior center :3

On Saturday a bunch of the family went out into New Territories to visit with MaMa at her senior center New Years celebration. As she is getting on in years (I think she is 89 this year), she has been showing her age more and more.

I made that hat! Super excited when I saw the picture on Whatsap from the family :D

MaMa has trouble remembering lots of things now, and needs constant care. The senior center has been helping the family with engaging MaMa to make crafts, and sing songs, and generally give Ah Di and Tom a rest.

Uncle Eddy met up with us at Admiralty MTR so we could take a bus together out to the center. We chose our timing a bit poorly, as it was in the middle of rush hour, so took us almost 2 hours to arrive.

The center took a photo once everyone gathered, then it was time to sit down and listen to music, eat buffet, and watch the slide show of pictures.

Tom and Eddy checking out Kitsune's paperwork from our earlier appointment for his HKID

The helpers passed out tambourines to play along with the traditional new year songs. Little Bear got totally into it.

Photo cards were put together from the picture taken earlier, and given to MaMa. The card was lovely, and the pop up 2016 inside was neat.

Happy Chinese New Year!

A Bear and a Little Bear! Feb 7, 365 Challenge

Happy almost Chinese New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin)/ Kung Hei Fat Choi(Cantonese)!

New Years Eve! Well, the Lunar version of it...

Today is the Chinese New Years Eve. Lots of stores have closed for the new year, some for over a week, others just for 3 days or so. Very typical, as most people want to spend time with their families during this time.

Cat and Hay were free this afternoon so we joined them to go to a New Years Flower Market. One of many that pop up around the city during this time. Sunday is the last day that they are open, typically opening a week before the new year. Flowers are extremely popular at this time. The market we went to was in Mongkok, and was (thankfully) not too busy.

Let me clarify - 'not too busy' means we could actually walk and possibly make it to a stall to see what is being sold. 'Busy' is when you don't even have to walk - just carried along in a sea of people and aren't able to move an inch. Busy is what we experienced one year going late to Victoria Park Flower Market on the last day. Lets just say, that is one experience I never have the urge to have again.

After taking a small rest at a cafe (Urban) in Moko shopping mall, we all grabbed a bus to head over to Mama's for the traditional family dinner. Basically a large pot luck meal of all sorts of things with lots of noise and cheer. As always, the company was fabulous and the food tasty. Tomorrow we will also be getting together for dinner - the first official day of the new year. That is the day that you give out the Hongbao(Mandarin)/Lai see(Cantonese). Family tends to drop in throughout the day to visit, then have a family dinner again that evening. The Cathay parade and harbour fireworks will be on the 2nd day.

I made sure to pack all the gifts I made for the family, and then lugged them around with me since I was not going back to our room before dinner. I'm really glad that everyone seemed to be very happy with them! I finally made hats that fit my Asian family well! :D

Tung Tung met Little Bear again, and they got along very well. She was very gentle with him, and he really appreciated it. They shnurred a bunch and Tung Tung liked to lean her forehead against Little Bears head and just rest.

Jiufen videos

Jiufen in the rain. I pronounced the name super wrong in the video :P

I miss this place....quite a bit actually.

Don't miss the bus ride back down though. The narrow winding cliff roads, in the rain...it was pretty unnerving.

Feb 2 - Feb 6 365 Challenge (I totally didn't have time to post them, and don't want to spam them separately)

I did take photo's everyday! Honest! :D

Moose came out to play on the bus to the airport

Feb 2, Moose wanted in on the photo taking action. He's too old and tired to ride around everywhere, but still likes to pose for the camera!

Hong Kong pollution and all the cigarette smoke has done me in :P

 Feb 3, I didn't wear my mask the first day in Hong Kong, and we walked around quite a bit. Woke up the next morning with a super sore throat and sinus issues. Masks whenever outside from now on!! (I'm super allergic to cigarette smoke and I'm sure the air quality doesn't help)

Little bear enjoys riding around in my different bags

 Feb 4, Little Bear just chilling in my new bag from Taiwan. He is a pretty cool little bear!

Little Bear wishes you a Happy New Year! It's the year of the monkey, so he wanted to 'monkey around' hehe

 Feb 5, Little Bear wanted a photo op in one of the Lunar New Year installations in Hong Kong

Little Bear likes double Macchiatos :3

 Feb 6, After lunch we stopped by a caffe with Kelvin and Noel. The little Macchiato cup was cute, and so was the foam drawing :D

Lunch at Sushi Shikon with Kelvin and Noel to see Kaki-san again!

It was so nice to see Kaki-san again. He was the head sushi chef at Nakato in Atlanta for a long time, and we would go sit at the sushi bar and see him when we wanted to eat sushi. He left for Tokyo, then ended up in Hong Kong at Sushi Shikon - a 3 Michelin Star - as their head chef. It seats only 8 people, and you definitely need to book ahead.

We chose to do lunch with Kaki-san, so that we could bring Kelvin and Noel, Kitsune's cousins, to try epic sushi.

Kaki-san is such a great guy. He is so passionate about what he does, and the connections that he creates through his craft.

He openly welcomes photo's and loves to talk about each step and why he does what he does. He says that 'Sushi is so simple. It's just fish and rice. The way to have good sushi, is in all the little details. That is what takes years to perfect' It takes many many people to create the perfect sushi experience, and Kaki-san is very humble and open about how he may be the person that people see, but all he does is the final steps in a long process.

Everything at Sushi Shikon is from Japan. Even the water that they use is flown in each morning from Japan. This is all so the customer can have an authentic sushi experience.

Because that is what a place like this is. An experience. One that you will never forget.

Kaki-san remembered Kitsune from Atlanta, and was excited to see us again. He was flattered that we would go out of our way to see him while in Hong Kong. He treated us to some items that normally would not be served during lunch as a special treat.

Kitsune and Kaki-san 

I'll just post up some of the pictures that I took of the nigiri etc, that I thought were particularly striking. If you are ever in Hong Kong, and can afford to treat yourself to an amazing lunch or dinner, definitely go to Sushi Shikon. Kaki-san may only be there for another year or so, so don't miss out!!

Ankimo (Monkfish Liver) with fresh wasabi

Chawanmushi (steamed egg) with Uni (sea urchin) and fresh wasabi

A type of clam, not sure which one.

Sayuri (Needle fish) This one was my favorite. The yuzu he dashed on and the greens was amazing together.

Tako (octopus) He massaged the tentacle with sea salt then braised it. There was not one hint of chewy. It was so tender.

2 types of Uni (even I like this one, and I am not into Uni.)

Japanese Tiger Prawn

Otoro (fatty tuna) He says no need to chew when done properly. It simply melts in your mouth. 

Akami (tuna)

Abalone with Abalone Liver sauce - Rated number 8 in Top 10 Dishes in the World. 

Tamago with yam - it was just like a cheesecake. Amazing.

Strawberry with Red Bean wrapped in hand made mochi sheet.