The Adventure of a Life Time: Tuesday, 01.10.2012

Tuesday we commuted to HKIEd for work. We tried the Prince Edward MTR Station instead of the Mong Kok Station. We found a different bakery right outside the station. It was almost twice the price of our "usual" bakery, however the quality of the goods was definitely higher.

Anyways, we took the MTR then waited in a long line to take the $1 HKD bus to HKIEd. Once we got to campus we walked to the library to find a discussion room to work in. As we walked around, HKIEd students were table sitting for different things. Not being able to read the Chinese language, I have no idea for what, but they were WAY better at table sitting then at WPI. Way more energetic and way cooler posters and decorations and props. They were also friendly. Since university is taught in English, we were able to greet all the students and they were all very smiley and happy to see us.

After finally getting through the security at the library, we settled down to work for a few hours before we met with Dr. Dennis Hui, our sponsor. I have been researching Peng Chau, an island to the west of Kowloon Peninsula that already has established ecotourism. It is similar in size to our island (Tung Ping Chau) but it has a community living on it. Peng Chau has the 'Green Peng Chau Association' which strives to make Peng Chau a green place and also supports the ecotourism that is present on the island. This has been an excellent case study for us to see how local islanders decided to start this group and support ecotourism on their own without the push of the government or other incentives.

We met with Dennis at noon and spent a little over an hour discussing our project with him which was extremely useful and helped clarify a lot of our questions.

Then we had lunch at the HKIEd cafeteria. LISTEN UP AMERICA! Hong Kong has this down to a system. They had like 30 options for lunch, all displayed on a computer screen. You selected what you wanted, paid with your Octopus and then walked to a pre-determined window to pick up your food. It was already there and ready by the time we got there. And it was fresh, not like something they just stuck in the microwave. So stream-lined and awesome! It was really tasty. We ate out in the open courtyard area and were serenaded by a harmonica/piano duet. Very impressive!

After lunch, we worked for a few more hours then headed back to Hong Kong Island for our Cantonese lessons. I had walnuts and mangos for lunch (having had a rough day, I still didn't quite have my stomach with me so I played it safe).

Then Andrew and I went home, stopping at 7-eleven for some beer, and made some dumplings. Then we just relaxed and had some beer and dumplings for a few hours before I went upstairs to discover that I had internet!!! Happy Day :D

Then I got to video chat with daddy and he gave me the thumbs up. I also was able to make him laugh, especially about the small asians.

Love you daddy!