to make a LONG story short

Michelle and I had SUCH a FULL day yesterday I can't believe we got it all in! We started the day in Mong Kok which is a popular spot for many markets including a goldfish, flower and bird market. There is also a very popular jade market near there that we never got to.

This is a street in Mong Kok.

The goldfish market included goldfish for MILES! Goldfish are very popular with the Chinese because they are believed to bring good luck and help absorb bad vibes. Devin wants one SO BADLY and I can't quite understand why but I decided it best not to buy one that day with the itinerary we had planned. I did not trust the day wouldn't end with a goldfish being flushed.

Then came the flower market where we saw beautiful and exotic flowers for blocks and blocks. It was fun to take pics and stand by the flower shops because most were air conditioned and I did NOT feel bad about stealing some breeze from the vendors.

Then came Michelle's absolute favorite market, the bird market. Hard to put into perspective with pictures but just TONS of birds and very ornate bird houses.

After we left the markets (with purchases in hand) we made our way to a place called 10,000 Buddhas which the guidebook says is an "arduous climb" to the top of a monastery where the guide then promises that you are "rewarded at the top by a delightful sight of tiny golden buddhas in hundreds of poses." Ok, if by rewarded you mean I cussed the guidebook the ENTIRE way up the climb as Michelle and I both decided this was not so worth it but something we could check off the list of things we did all the same.

Here is Meesh on the climb which was extremely ARDUOUS and at one point I think I tasted blood in my throat. I'm just putting it out there in case you come and want to try it.

This is the thousands of buddhas in different poses. Rewarding? I will leave it up to you. I think the same thing you see at your computer chairs is what I saw after walking for way TOO long and almost dying of a heat stroke. So, enjoy my friends.

Then we went to a MUCH more interesting place where we paid $1 each to visit the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. It was a great museum and I loved the a/c first, the exhibits second and the amazing accents of the museum staff third (pics of staff not included-sorry.)