We arrived in Shenzhen by high speed train. A bit of a hassle and two bus rides to get through the border into Hong Kong–Chinese Special Administrative Region.

The girls and female chaperones stayed at the L’Hotel Island South. The boys stayed at the Andersen’s house. After getting settled, we walked to the Andersen’s house (mostly—Allen Andersen picked us up in his Mini Cooper to take us up the mountain, 4 people at a time), Jill Andersen was very sweet. She had been preparing for weeks to have all the food ready. We had sloppy joes, green salad, chips and salsa, baked beans, watermelon. Also chocolate chip cookies and ice cream for dessert. They have a very nice house. Jill also obtained octopus cards (for all purchases in the city) for the whole group.

The next day we took the subway (MTR) to the Deep Water Bay and took junk boat out to Bluff Island in the South China Sea (1.5 hr ride).

Most of us jumped off the roof of the boat several times.

Lauren went in the motor boat to the island since she didn’t want to swim (but she got stranded there and soaked in a rainstorm before we were able to get her picked up again).

The water seemed very salty. Amy, Stephanie, and I got to ride on the banana boat (inflatable). We got dumped a few times, but were laughing most of the time.

There had been some light rain a few times, but then a huge storm hit. It was so bad with lightning that the boat captain made everyone get in the boat for a while. The rain was pretty cold. Lots of people with stomach illness today (some more with motion sickness). Lunch on the boat was great US fare—Jill Andersen made sure of that. Back on shore we walked to the mall and got food for dinner from the City Supermart. Then we took the Star Ferry to Kowloon Island (ICC) so we could look back at the Hong Kong skyline and watch the laser/light show. Quite a walk to get back to the hotel using the subway.

The next day we went all over Hong Kong. Periodic downpours didn’t slow us down. We took the subway, then a double-decker bus up to Victoria Peak. Hiked around then took a funicular tram down—it was so steep in places we were standing at a steep angle.

Walked through some interesting local food markets on our way to a dim sum lunch.

We took a double-decker street car and subway to get to the Sky 100 Observation Deck at 393 meters. The rain limited the view somewhat—but still very interesting.

We walked through the jade market, then a series of touristy market streets.

We enjoyed Italian food at Amaroni’s for our farewell dinner.

Some went to see the Hong Kong temple; sick kids went straight back to the hotel.

We left for the airport early the next morning. Several people sick, some really ill in the airport. We waited as long as we could to decide if they needed to stay longer in Hong Kong. Ended up boarding everyone.

Lots of  pepto, Imodium,  cough drops, ibuprofen on the 12-hour flight to Seattle. One student even fainted in the aisle, making for a bit of drama including paging the whole plane for a doctor on board. Lauren and I were glad that we didn’t catch whatever was going around.

A few other random photos from Hong Kong: