Last Day in Hong Kong-Gettting Married and a Poor Beach Day

Yesterday was my final day in Hong Kong. First thing is I wanted to replace my Lonely Planet guide-(I lost mine in the Visa office, I think). I enjoy them as souvenirs as well. i left the hostel and took the bus 35 minutes to the metro, and then to the bookstore where the first was purchased, and they we're out. I then took the metro to the MTR-Metro to another bookstore across the harbor, and they had it, so I bought it there.

I then walked up to the St John's Cathedral, and I witnessed a wedding, complete with the bride and groom-and their friends cheering them after the promises we're made. I listened to the beautiful liturgical music-the same music played as during Elle Wood's graduation ceremony in Legally Blond.

My reason for being at the church was much more pedestrian-when I was there on the walking tour the other day-I saw a old Lonely Planet China guide on sale in the adjoining thrift shop for around $3.00. So I celebrated, it was still there, and I purchased it. A Chinese couple celebrated their new union, and I celebrated the purchase of a beat up travel guide.

I then went down and found the bus to Stanley-which is a beach town with a market. My sandals we're beat up, and I wanted another pair-so after another 45 minute bus ride, I found Stanley Market, which had mostly souvenirs but nothing to great. I was very touristy on the beach. While the beach was beautiful, it was a cold overcast day-I did have lunch of some fish and chips and a beer, and walked up to a beautiful Buddhist temple overlooking the beach.

I then got on the bus-and got off a little later, at a place called Repulse Bay-a popular beach community. Repulse wasn't repulsive-it was named that because pirates trying to attack we're repulsed by the shallow waters and their vessels got stuck. Here I walked and found a giant Buddhist playground (it appeared), with horses, and a guy with a beard and tablet who looked like a cartoon version of Moses. Lonely Planet listed this place as sort of kitsch, but people we're praying there, so it was serious.

I was feeling sort of ill-perhaps from the weather change or the fish and chips-so I took the bus another 35 minutes to the hostel and took a nap. it was now after dark-so after an hours sleep, I took another bus to the metro (another 45 minutes)-to the market area on Kowloon island, and bought some sandals for around $8.00. Along the way, I found another cheap sushi place so had dinner. Then I took another bus back to the hostel.