Paradise.

I am in paradise. It’s true. When the weather clears up completely (we’re still having sporadic rainfall) you might not be able to get me to come home. After a late night movie showing of the Brother’s Grimm at the theatre across the street, we headed to the hotel bar. As part of the SOMA we get buy one get one free drinks at the lobby bar, and I can already tell this is going to be dangerous. I slept in until my alarm went off at noon, and I immediately headed to the pool.

It is a gorgeous infinity pool that overlooks some mountains and the ocean, and it feels like a cool bath. With a whirlpool and some warm weather you’d think that’d be enough, but the best is yet to come. I brought a PB&J sandwich down that I had made myself, and when a pool attendant came toward me I thought I might be in trouble. Little did I know that he was heading toward me with an ice-cold glass of water and a plate of fruit! It’s true!! Pineapple and melons and other delights come with the pool. I almost died.

I eventually had to leave to get ready to head into Central Hong Kong Island. Le Meridien is on the South West corner of the island, and most of the shopping and business and commerce all happens on the Central Northern part of the island. I almost missed the hotel shuttle because it was full, but luckily the hotel paid for a cab for those of us who couldn’t fit! We rode to the Central train station, and from there we hopped on the subway. The subway system here reminds me a bit of Tokyo. First of all, it’s spotless. There are clocks telling you exactly when the next train is coming, and lighted maps inside the cars with red dots that blink on what station is coming up. It’s so organized and well-marked!

Anyway, after a few stops we ended up at Causeway Bay, which is right by the beautiful Victoria Park. Today happened to be the Mid-Autumn Harvest Moon Festival, a giant Chinese holiday celebrated all over Asia. Because of this, the area beside the park was filled with games, art, and shows celebrating the fall. Unfortunately, it rained on and off for a lot of the day, so some of the entertainment and things weren’t happening. We alternated walking around and seeing things with popping into a nearby mall for Thai food and a bit of shopping. We saw Chinese opera, giant plastic flowered decorations, blow up pagodas, and a dragon parade. It was all very cool, and a bit crowded like a twisted Asian Disneyland.

Exhausted, hours later, we came home and ended up at the bar again for complementary Saki-tinis. I love love love this hotel! When the bar closed at midnight a bunch of us got together for a game of Balderdash. Now I’ve got to get to bed because I have a pool date tomorrow. This is the LIFE!

Oops, it’s the next day. I woke up, and sat by the GORGEOUS pool for three hours. I enjoyed some PB&J, and alternately sunned, swam, and sat in the whirlpool. Eventually I got up and showered and went out to a delicious dinner. Then, I organized a huge euchre tournament. I hung out with a bunch of people in my AMAZING room, and now I’m going to bed. PARADISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm never coming home.

P.S. Happy 19th Birthday to my awesome brother Rob!! Wish him well on aolim (kirkpatrobrick).