Hong Kong Island and The Big Bus Tour!!!

During most of our stay, we spent much of our time on the Kowloon side. I think this is in part due to the concentrations of street markets and the proximity. I also feel that the Kowloon side is the ‘down to earth’ side. Who knows if this is true, but this is my take.

As for the Hong Kong side, the city itself seems to house more financial institutions and the larger more grand buildings. The largest of these buildings is the IFC building, for the moment. For some reason, everyone in Hong Kong is in competition to be the tallest and largest building. So, within the next couple years, the tallest building in Hong Kong will be on the Kowloon side.


Getting ready for our day in the elevator... Psyching up!



Everywhere we went in Hong Kong, there were plenty of these crazy double decker buses with the tops chopped off. I’m sure many of you are familiar with the red ones that people show from the United Kingdom. This is very similar to what we were riding on.


We saw this ship and thought that this might be the way to travel next time we are in South East Asia.


The Star Ferry is one of the ways one can get across Victoria Harbor. Another option is take the underground tunnel in a taxi. I'm not sure about you, but I find it a little scary to take an underwater tunnel. Maybe next time...


Sitting on a Star... ferry...


The IFC building is currently the tallest building in Hong Kong, but within a couple years, this title will be taken away by a building on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbor. Do you notice the smaller building to the right with the identical architecture? Cute isn't it? Well, to the left of big building, there is a lot of construction. We have a feeling that the might build a 3rd building, even taller and bigger to retain the title of 'tallest building in Hong Kong'.


They call this the Decanter Building. I believe it is the building for the People's Republic of China's headquarters? Don't quote me on this... Not 100%...


The building on the right was inspired by koala bears clinging to the eucalyptus tree. Can you see it?


A few peoplel crossing the street... Notice the peace signs? Seems like everyone wants peace these days...



Laura the tourist... or the FBI AGENT!!!


This is a monument to commemorate when the British gave Hong Kong back to the People's Republic of China.

The monument is located in front of the Hong Kong Convention Center.


Laura Marie LaBelle scratching her forehead...


Benjamin Lee LaBelle smiling at Laura who was only recently scratching her head...


I thought this was interesting... to see an extremely large bird just flying through the city. I guess I'm used to seeing pigeon swoop through the skyline, but not a huge hawk=like bird.


Laura was testing out the new lens we received from our wedding (Thanks NAM!), and it does a great job... check the next photo for the pan out...


Crazy job cleaning all those windows... I'd rather be a bum...


I thought this looked a little like San Francisco?


I love how they create scaffolding here in Hong Kong. They use bamboo, and they wrap it in pretty emerald colored plastic! Should be fun when they unwrap it...


Thin building?


Tall building and beautiful skies...


Just say YAO...


A school...


Every once in awhile, you find a tree with some crazy roots... more on this later...


I think all the trees have names and histories listed on them. This one was named, 'Sam', and he was a human in a previous life... Right now, he works for the city providing shade...


The lighting was just right, so we took this shot... gorgeous, ain't it?


All Hong Kong apartments come with a free clothes dryer. Just open the window and hang them from your air conditioners. Just make sure the condensation doesn't drip into your shorts!


I think they bought the windows from a 'cruise boat' supply company. Actually, this is probably a smart idea when the typhoons roar through Hong Kong. You know, when the waves lap at your penthouse window?


Yet another one of these beautiful ancient trees...


St. John's Church is in the shape of a cross from the aerial view... They have masses in English, Filipino, and Mandarin.


This tree sure has a great spot...


The coolest Coach store I've ever seen yet...


Breaking my neck to get the shot... Well worth it...


You can't escape it! The world will be assimilated...


Makes you want to climb it, huh?


Talk about a weird juxtaposition of architecture...


More cool trees and foilage in the city...


Che!


Graffitti... too bad I didn't have a spray can...


Do you see the reflection of more buildings behind me?


This was the construction site that was located to the left of the IFC building. I have a feeling this one is going to be BIG!


The paparazzi got me, so I got them! Look at their stance and style!


Go APE! They got mad at us when we took photos inside their store... so I ate them all. One bite...


The homeless and sick... This didn't happen too often in the city... I have a feeling the cops were going to show up soon and take her away... or maybe they are afraid of her? Anyhow, sad...


Riding on the world's longest enclosed escalator system... little did we know, but underneath us was the place we were going to eat lunch only a few short moments after this shot!


Traditional architecture prepare you for the food you might be enjoying soon... I just love the juxtaposition that happens in this city!


Tasty... I mean Laura, not the ducks!


And we finish the tour back where we started... At the IFC building... so picturesque...

Dinner at La Fuma Cafe... Just fondue it!

Our last dinner in Hong Kong was at a place called La Fuma Café. It is located off the main strip of the Fa Yuen night street market. One of the reasons we chose to go here was the humongous sign saying ‘fondue’. Now, I know fondue isn’t a Hong Kong delicacy, but at this point, we needed a little taste outside of Asia. So, in we went!

Also, did you notice the decor? The ceiling? The tables? These trees definitely died with honor...(or I could have said these trees did 'knot' die in vain, but I didn't want to be corny)


The spread of meat was laid on a bed of mountain grown leafy greens. Or at least that’s what the menu said. (Don't worry dad, we cut the fat off the back bacon and only ate one piece of salami). We also received the standard fare of bread cubes which quickly disappeared...


We also ordered a stuffed chicken breast with potatoes and veggies.


The best thing for me about fondue is the unexpected flavor and aroma. I always think this is Europe’s version of ‘self=serve nachos’, but its not. The white wine mixed with a blend of cheeses is simply amazing. It’s a fox trot in the mouth, a quick jig, if you will.


Fondue, its just the best thing ever! (nice hair, i know...)


All around us were photos and gear from expeditions all around the world. I know our friend Chris and Randy would have love this place. They're currently into rock climbing, but who knows if it will change to badminton the next day?

Toymart! YAY!!!

As many of you might know, I like toys. Not necessarily the typical ones, but the urban vinyl designer toys. These are toys done by contemporary artists, many of them with roots in the graffiti and underground art world. Part of the reason I like these toys and this type of artwork is the social commentary and sometimes sarcastic and anti-establishment tones. No, I don’t want to burn the house down, but I do think we need some mirrors in our world to bring about awareness. I also like a good piece of art, just like most of us love a good cheeseburger once in awhile. Yeah, its not good for your body, but it f’ing lights up your soul.

So the Toymart is technically one building, similar to a jewelry mart, but its a mixed bag of toys and trendy women’s clothing. Why mix the two? I don’t know… Anyhow, this toy area on the street called Fa Yuen has a cluster of toy stores in this specific area. Some stuffed animals, scale models, urban vinyl, and of course the Japanese Gundam Robots. I was a little disappointed considering this was the mecca where the designer toys started from, but apparently those stores pop up seasonally for a short duration and are quite a spectacle if you’re lucky enough to experience it. On with the tour...


I think the reason this place was called Toy Ant was because there is only 4 feet more to the store that you can't see. Its to the left. I walked in, almost hit the wall, and walked out. Toy Ant!


This place was AMAZING! See where this guy is standing? He was looking at what I will show you in the photos below...


I apologize for the photo quality, but I couldn't use a flash in this setting.


Still more to see of this display.


See the 'No Photography' sign? Well, I cheated a bit... oops!


I couldn't pronouce the name of this place, but I think its, 'Hot Toy' or something to that effect. They had many of the reproductions here. A very clean store with a great entrance. It looked similar to a doorway in a Star Wars ship.


Pre-order for the Michael Jackson Thriller Toy?


More stuff...


Look at the size of that reproduction of the Batman car from the Batman Returns! WOW!


Does anyone remember the Mon Chi Chi's? We did. This place had a ton of them in all difference costumes and sizes.


Another case full of Mon Chi Chi dolls that were much larger than inside the store. I think Laura even tried to break the glass for tbe big one on the corner. (I had to stop her)


Its hard to read, but this the outside of a Gundam Robot gallery. It was very impressive, but we had to leave quickly. There were 2 workers making the robots and it smelled like glue. I think we left with a buzz... look at all the twinkley lights!


This was store that specialized in stuffed animals of American Icons, such as Sesame Street, Disney, and Charlie Brown to name a few...


Animate was a store that was extremely impressive. Its too bad I couldn't get any more pics of this place.


Its hard to tell, but the entire place was tiled in white and back lit everywhere. This place felt like the ultimate product design office, or toy display area. Perhaps one day, I'll have a place like this for both...

So, with that in mind, I started thinking about this experience with visiting the toy stores. Why not release my toy line here? Good idea! Now I just need some capital and customers… hmm… I’ll keep you all posted…