-Friday morning started off with Nathan putting a (melamine) bowl with a packet of oatmeal (no liquid) in the microwave (normally we let him push the buttons to heat up the milk and pour the hot milk into the bowl. So I didn’t think anything of it when I poured the milk, left it on the counter and then heard him start the microwave). This did not go well. In fact, I think we missed a serious kitchen fire by about 5-8 seconds. First I heard popping (that was the pieces of oatmeal exploding and popping all over the microwave) and then I smelled something really wrong (that would be the melamine bowl that was disintegrating inside the micro).

-You’d think this was our first time traveling ever (well, in our defense its the first time we’ve traveled with 2). We got to the airport where we had a hell of a time getting our luggage pre-screened what with all the WATER I tried to bring (for the baby). Then we realized our re-entry stamps for Japan had expired and PC had to go to another building and deal with immigration so we could, you know, return HOME. Then there was a bit of confusion with Mackenzie not being on our original orders/traveling/leaving the country (surely she is not the first American to be born in Japan). Then we got totally ripped off on her ticket. You know the “infant in lap” deal? When we bought our tickets online (via the carrier’s website) we couldn’t purchase an infant ticket on there and were instructed to buy it at the airport (only place it could be issued) where it was supposed to be 10% of the adult fare ($400-ish is what ours cost). We get there and they are all, “that will be $200.” And if it weren’t for the fact that its JAPAN and you cant really get mad at the sweet Japanese girl trying to help you I would have laid down some law with whomever was in charge. Because we had to pay 10% of the LAST MINUTE adult fare of $2000. Unbelievable. And I love how both she and the supervisor kept asking “so….is ok you want to purchase?” Um….yeah, is there a choice B? Like, we just leave the baby with you for the weekend? So, what are you going to do? Yes, we paid $200 to hold a baby ON OUR MY LAP.

-The flight went well and we had two amazing travelers. And because we are STILL beginners at this, PC took Nathan to go to the bathroom and I stood up to let them out and noticed there were ROWS, many, many rows that were entirely empty. So instead of being piled on top of each other crunched into three seats Mackenzie could have had her own seat and we could have spread the hell out. Awesome. Its like we’ve never traveled a day in our lives before. And also, Fancy backpack was awesome, the individual who packed it was not so awesome which resulted in him getting all frustrated and just so you know- I kept my mouth shut, I didn’t even say “I told you so” because I think he got the message loud and clear that we will never pack the night before a trip again (score 1 for me).

-We checked into our hotel which is actually quite nice (I agreed to try something a little less expensive this time, because normally we gravitate to the Shangri-La when we travel but was seriously disappointed with them when we went to Bangkok so I agreed to let PC take over the hotel planning). Upon check in we were upgraded to a bigger room (hmmm…..?) and we look out over the harbor towards Kowloon. Hong Kong is a beautiful city at night.

-Today was a non-stop day and the kids were amazing. Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at an outstanding Vietnamese restaurant (that we found in the magazine on the airplane- it piqued our interested because it discussed coffee and how next to Italian, Vietnamese coffee is supposed to be the best in the world. Um, the jury is still out on that. Tasty but strong- even for me.)

-Speaking of coffee–I got the cutest Starbucks mug(s).

-We went to the space museum today and Nathan informed me that he likes Hong Kong better than Thailand because there are more planes to buy and more space museums. When asked what the best part of the space museum was? The fountain outside. The fountain he wanted to watch in the pouring rain.

-Oh yeah- it rained all day long.

-Dinner was at a totally disappointing Thai restaurant. The area that it was in was very cool….very much a expat locale. Makes me wonder what it would be like to live in a place like this without the comforts of “on base” like we have in Japan. I think Hong Kong would be a really neat place to live- its really clean (more than I had remembered) the people are friendly, everyone speaks at least some English, lots to do….

Ok, husband has returned with some snacks, kids are sleeping, we’ve got CABLE (I watched the Discovery channel for like an hour this morning. Fascinating I tell you.) I dont know where the camera cable is, so maybe tomorrow you’ll get pictures. Or maybe just a long boring update like today!

Filed under: Lets Eat!, Travel, fancy backpack