At the risk of getting boring, we'll head to a new country : )

Johnna Sue is studying for her final final. I'll be chilling here in the coffee shop while she shows "Climate Change" a thing or two.

Everything since the last post has been fairly logistical in nature. We did enjoy home-made noodles and shrimp wontons at Johnna's favorite place (close to her office) last night for dinner. Early bedtime last night due to a busy and early morning. Packed up our hotel room this morning and went to the immigration office for Johnna's student visa. Some afternoon shopping for clay pots and bamboo steamers. Invites to some Chinese-themed dinner parties are in your future : ).

After Johnna's final we will put a box of non-essentials on a slow boat from China (literally) and eat dinner before heading to the airport. Our first flight together as a couple will take us from Hong Kong to Bangkok, Thailand tonight. We are both excited to explore a new city together. We will be staying in a vacant apartment generously provided by the mother of one of Johnna's co-workers (she lives there). Three nights and two days in Bangkok and we'll board another plane. This time we'll escape the bustle of the city to the fairly-exotic island of Phi Phi Don. We read mixed reviews of how touristy this island is, but it looks magnificent. A beach, a pina colada, some thai food, and I'll be a happy boy.

Some general Hong Kong thoughts:

-The people are amazing. I don't think I've heard a mean word since I've been hear. Everyone seems genuinely pretty happy. Add in the insanely high population density and think New York City with massive amounts of Prozac pumped into the water.

-The Octopus card is amazing. You can pre-load this card with cash and use it by waving it across a scanner (or just leave it in your wallet and wave your wallet) at the MTR (metro, subway) or 7-11 as well as other places. Talk about efficient.

-The MTR (metro, subway) is amazing. Clean, cheap, fast. Getting around the city is effortless.

-The food is amazing. My favorite experience may have been lunch yesterday. I was not about to accept the mall options while Johnnas was workin, so I got a touch adventurous and headed out into the city (after memorizing the name of the mall and address). After a 20-minute walk I ended up in a small local joint sharing a table (totally normal here to share a table with folks you don't know...not much talking...just eating) and eating a sinful soup of greens, meats, and egg for about USD $3 or so. In a blissful food coma, I stumbled down the street just to run into a local bakery and enjoy homemade mochi for about USD $.50.

-Johnna Sue is amazing. She has been a graceful tour guide, and we are really enjoying our time together.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them as a comment, and we'll do our best to reply.

Hope all is well in your world,

Joshua