Hong Kong to Amsterdam....Part FOUR

Sometimes the best places to visit are the ones you stumble upon along your journey...

Our last stop in China before heading to Europe was Hong Kong.  After taking the night bus we walked (or wandered around confused depending on how you look at it...) until we found the Hong Kong border.  We crossed the border and hopped on their subway system until we reached Lantau Island where the Hong Kong International airport is located AND the Ngong Ping 360 cable car.

Fortunately we had 12 hrs. before our flight left for Europe...plenty of time to ride the cable car across the bay and up the mountain to the WORLD'S LARGEST SEATED BRONZE BUDDHA STATUE!

We glanced at the statue for a few minutes and decided we better start the7 mile hike back down the mountain.  We made it to the airport drenched in sweat and happy after an exciting hike through the Hong Kong rainforest.  If you ever want to see the Omaha rainforest in real life than Hong Kong is the place to head! Although exhausting, this was definitely a highlight of our entire trip.   After a quick wet-wipe "shower" we were on the overnight plane heading towards Amsterdam.

After layovers in Thailand and Jordan we left Asia for the first time in a year and made it to Amsterdam early in the morning.  It turns out Amsterdam is beautiful! We spent the day walking along the canals (we've heard it has more canals than Venice) and ended up walking completely across Amsterdam before reaching the bus stop in the evening to jump on an overnight bus to Paris!!

Yangshuo, China...Part THREE!

One of the things we love about Asia is how cheap it is to eat, travel, and shop compared to America.  Don't get us wrong, we love America, but we can do and see a whole lot more while vacationing throughout Asia compared to vacationing in America...

2 overnight bus tickets across China compared to 1 tank of  gas in America:

Our sleeper bus with built in beds!

Dining along the riverside compared to takeout at McDonald's:

The Menu
sweet and sour pork
peppered steak and veggies
white rice
2 chocolate milkshakes

A Mountain Retreat suite compared to a Motel 6 room:

with a view like this... 

Out on a walk

From Beijing Jesse and I headed to Yangshuo, China...one of the most beautiful places in all China.  We spent the next few days swimming, hiking, relaxing, and taking in the beauty of Yangshuo and the Li River.  We even got the chance to ride on a bamboo raft and stay in a suite for the first time ever!  It was so refreshing to spend time with my hubby and relax after a very long school year :)

Swimming spot at the retreat and good
snail hunting grounds

Beijing, China...Part TWO!

The first stop on our journey home was Beijing, China.  We were lucky enough to have Kate join us for all the sightseeing, adventures, and fun! 

Eating a Scorpian off of
Wongfujing Street

Little Boy in the Hutongs:
traditional Chinese Street

Yep, my husband ate one of these

Our Hostel

Day 1


*Leave Korea for the
last time!                                   
*Meet up with Kate at the Beijing Airport
*Travel by bus, subway, and foot
to arrive at The Red Lantern Hostel
*Take a walk through the Hutongs
*Visit Wongfujing Street

Tiananmen's Square

Day 2

Forbidden City

*Visit The Forbidden City
*Lunch in the Forbidden City Rock Garden
*Relax in Tiananmen's Square
*Chinese Acrobats

Summer Palace

Lunch Time!

Day 3

*Summer Palace
*Lunch under a willow tree
*Shopping

Day 4


*Hike up the Great Wall
*Tobbagon Down the Great Wall :)
*Lunch at a traditional Chinese restaurant
*Dinner at the DQ




Day 5


*Beijing Zoo
*Farewell to Kate
*Walk to Hubei Lake
*Pack to leave for Yangshuo