You would think since I am living in a foreign country, I would have enough places to go, and things to see that one wouldn’t need to travel around to other countries. However one of the cool aspects of being in Korea, is that it is one of the “Gateways to Asia” We have China, and Japan within a few hours flight time, and Thailand and Philippines about 5 hours to the south of us. If you like to travel and experience new cultures, then Korea is definitely the place for you!

This week, I am going to discuss my first trip to Hong Kong that I took about a year ago. There have been so many things that I have been excited to share about Korea, that my other trips have fallen to the back burner. Since I have skipped a couple of weeks, now is the time to go back. Take a look at the photos and blog about it. One of the reasons I chose Hong Kong, is the influence DigitalRev’s videos have had on me and my photography, and I love Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns.)

Taking a few days off of Work, I decided to spend the extra money on a business class seat on Korean Air’s new A380. So when the day arrived, off I went to the Airport. Korean’s public transportation is second to none! This includes the myriad of ways to get to Incheon International Airport. There are limonene bus’s that stop at many of the hotels, and even some of the bigger apartments. My favorite method is the Airport Railway Express, which offers two services. One a commuter train, that costs approx. 10,000W, and a full service express train that also allows you to fully check into your flight, check your baggage, and clear customs at Seoul Station! All you have to do when you get to the airport is go through security. You even are even allowed to use the Flight Crew line, and have your own final customs check at the airport. This service is approx… 40,000w For the added convenience you can’t beat that at any price!

Here I am checking in at the Korean Air Counter (In Seoul Station!), I could not take pictures of the Immigration Office, but they do have a counter there and you will have your passport stamped before even getting to the airport.

Saying goodbye to Mi Jung after walking through the turnstile, she may look happy now, but when I got on the elevator she started to cry.. (Ahhh.)

After a one hour train ride to the man made island of Incheon, which was built specifically for the purpose of housing Korea’s new airport, Incheon International. We arrive at public transportation hub, and a short walk later to the airport terminal itself. Once through security, I was able to sit in the business lounge (Which I arrived at early, so I could make use of the free food.). Later I took a walk to the gate to get a look at KAL’s flying manatee (The Airbus A380).

 

The Airbus A380 that is taking me to Hong Kong

Landing in Hong Kong, I was SHOCKED to find a billboard ad for a Korean Pop band called Girls Generation.. Did I only dream I just landed in Hong Kong?

After a good night’s sleep, it was time to start playing tourist! Our first stop was the Nhong Ping 360, an interesting cable car ride to Nhong Ping and the largest sitting Buddha in the world! The interesting thing about the Nhong Ping Cable Car, is that it comprises of 2 turning stations, as the aerial tramway does not travel in a straight line. As seen in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5VTxJtcD-E

Crossing Lantau Bay, here is the Hong Kong Airport that replaced Kai Tak. Like Incheon in Korea, Hong Kong International  airport  was also built using reclaimed land.

The largest attraction at Nhong Ping, is the Giant Tian Tan Buddha, otherwise known as “The Big Buddha” and the Po Lin Monastery. The giant statue is 112 ft tall, and weights 250 metric tons. It is the worlds largest seated Buddha and can be seen all the way from Macau.

One thing that surprised me, was the fact that I was allowed to photograph inside the temple. Something that is forbidden in other parts of Asia, such as Thailand.

I really got a kick out of these giant incense sticks! I would have loved to have taken one home for a conversation piece.

There are some really nice beaches in Hong Kong, and I would have loved to have gotten a chance to go swimming, however the day I chose to go down to the beach, a thunder storm moved in.

There are two major amusement parks in Hong Kong, of them being Disneyland Hong Kong and the other is Ocean Park.

Hong Kong Disney, is actually quite small, being the smallest of the 11 Disney Parks, though they did have some really fun attractions. Such as the Runaway Mine Train, which had a really fun backwards portion, that simulates the ride breaking.. Space Mountain, a Jungle Cruise, and of course Dumbo’s Flying Circus. They also had the Stich Encounter, which I do not believe the park in Anaheim has.

Here is my lunch, a Hot Dog with Mushroom Cream Sauce.

It was time to leave, and go back to the hotel and rest up for the next days adventure at Ocean Park!

They had this really strange tandem cable car, that took you to the back side of the park.

And some dolphin topiary.

I thought this very strange, an old Hong Kong themed area, inside Hong Kong.

Inside the sturgeon aquarium, was this really cool psycho shower head fountain. You can see that the strobe light was wreaking havoc on the sensor of my camera.

Here is the entrance to The Hell Raiser, a really fun coaster, but this reminded me of the ride in Final Destination 3.

There is a Sea Lion and Dolphin show, and a Filipino band.

The Scary Sturgeon Encounter, complete will the all-natural Vacuum snake.

Some River Sturgeon topiary, the one in the foreground is obviously post op.

A view of some thunder clouds from the Ferris Wheel

I really enjoyed traveling to Hong Kong, and am looking forward to going back at a time that isn’t so hot and humid, so I can do some hiking. The food was great! The scenery was spectacular, and being a former British colony, super easy to get around using English! If you are looking for a nice holiday. I highly recommend visiting.

In our next installment of Outside Korea, we will take a look at my quick trip to Macau, and doing the world’s tallest bungee jump!

Thank you for visiting my blog!