On Monday the 21st we began our trip to Hong Kong! We were so excited! Grant has been several times and loves it so I was sure I would love it too. Being that I am a Missouri girl and never dreamed I would be living in Asia and visiting somewhere such as Hong Kong, I didn't know much about the city. So as I have tried to educate myself on the area here is what I have kind of sort of figured out. Hong Kong is on the south coast of China. Hong Kong consists of an area called Kowloon and the New Territories as well as Hong Kong Island and another 230 or so islands. From what I can gather I would consider Hong Kong a "region" of China with it's own political and economic system. For almost 150 years Hong Kong was a British colony but by agreement with China was turned over to China in 1997. There is still a lot of British influence in Hong Kong but many mainland Chinese people have started immigrating into Hong Kong creating more of a Chinese feel to the area. Grant was actually in Hong Kong just a few years ago and even in that short amount of time the feel of Hong Kong had changed. When he had been before there was a very strong "western" feel to the area. Now you can really see the Chinese influence coming through.
In order for us to get to Hong Kong we boarded a Cathay Pacific flight at about 10:30 in the morning. We flew about 1 1/2 hours to Taipei Taiwan where we had a one hour layover and then flew on in a short flight to Hong Kong. 
On the flight Cathay Pacific proved to be a great airline. Before we took off we were given little baby packets with diapers and cream for the babies and Ben got a goody bag of kids activities. Nate and Ben also wooed the flight attendants enough that they got to sit with Grant in business class for a bit and enjoy cards, chocolate candy and Haagen Dazs ice cream! Notice in the picture above the special seat belt Nate has on. This is the first time I have ever been on a flight where they actually have a safety device for infants.
Hong Kong Airport. When we arrived there were Santa's and elves everywhere handing out candy and other trinkets. There is nothing like trying to maneuver three kids through elves and Santa's and people while trying to take pictures and figure out immigration! We did it though with a little help from Ben's new friends our flight attendants!
Welcome to Hong Kong! Just about as Christmas crazy as Japan considering the main religion is Buddhism.
Our hotel was in an area of Hong Kong called Causeway Bay. Grant had never really been in Causeway Bay before and we immediately realized we were in a primarily local Chinese area. I felt like I was still in Japan.
Outback Steakhouse!!!! We finally found a more "western" restaurant! The food was not quite as good as a US Outback but it was still good to be in a familiar restaurant!
Our hotel was more of a business hotel. The rooms were a bit small and it was obvious that the staff was not used to having kids around. We luckily had a suite which gave us a little more room. The first two nights we only had one crib though because they were holding cribs for Grant's parents and his brother and sister-in-law!!! Too funny!
