After spending most of the afternoon hanging out with Big Buddha, we decided to go to Disneyland. We took the subway to the end of the line and waited for the Disney train to come. It was covered in Mickey heads!
I was really excited about going to Disneyland because I have never been to a Disney park back in the States.
Big Buddha, of course!
One of the most famous sites in Hong Kong is a Big Buddha statue that is nestled so far up in the mountains that it takes a 25 minute cable car ride to get there! I was really apprehensive about going because I am scared of heights and cable cars really freak me out. I decided to suck it up because I don’t know if I’ll ever be back in Hong Kong.
If I could give one piece of advice for someone that wants to take the cable car to Big Buddha, it would definitely be to buy your tickets online in advance! When we went, the site was down so we couldn’t, but I really wish we could have. Because it was during the week of Chinese New Year, the line was many HOURS long (I’d guess at least 3-4)!
When we were in line, a woman asked us if we would like to buy a year pass and skip the line. Don’t even ask me how much that cost, but Dave said he’d rather do that than wait in line, so we did.
We could feel people staring us down as we were escorted straight up to the ticket counter. We just had to fill out a bit of paperwork, buy our passes and then wait in a much shorter line. I think the whole process took us about an hour.
The views from the cable car were truly amazing! And it was very sturdy so I handled the trip pretty well.
Once at the top, we had to walk past loads of shops and restaurants. We saw this cute little kitty.
And we also got to see another Lion Dance. This one was really impressive when you think about the fact that each lion only contains 2 guys and they have to be perfectly synched!
Then we headed through the massive gate…
And followed the signs to Big Buddha.
Almost there!
And then we hiked the 260 steps to the top!
It was pretty remarkable and I’m so glad I overcame my fear to see this!
We decided to walk around Central, Hong Kong on the day of Chinese New Year.
It was pretty quiet, but we did happen across a lion dance, which was really fascinating.
We were really happy to find this cute little pottery shop. We bought a full tea set for just $20 (US)!
Next, we headed to Mong Kok to check out the sites.
It was really great day!
I got to cross something off of my bucket list in February 2013. We went to Hong Kong for Chinese New Year!
As you can imagine, Hong Kong was packed and so were all of the tourist attractions. We had been to Hong Kong previously for a weekend getaway, but the weather was bad so we didn’t bother with The Peak or the Big Buddha because we knew the views would have been terrible. Fortunately, we had fantastic weather most days this time around!
Our first big outing was The Peak. There is a tram that takes you up the to the top, but we knew the line would be hours long and the tram would be cramped so we decided to take a taxi. It was the right decision!
There’s a mall at the top so we did a bit of browsing and then headed out to enjoy the views.
We headed back to the hotel in the early evening to try to reserve the best place in the house to watch the fireworks.
I think it was worth the wait!
Have you ever walked by this building in Old Downtown? It is the host of a barbecue, wedding planner, coffee shop, a pretty good Thai restaurant, and spa, all sharing the Sarojin name.
The spa is on the 3rd floor. Before walking through the door, make sure you take your shoes off and put on a pair of the provided slippers.
You’ll be greeted with a smile by the manager of the spa. Her English name is Lyndsey. She speaks English fairly well so as long as you’re patient, communication shouldn’t be a problem. When I initially went in for information, she gave me their spa menu in Korean and told me the very basics of each treatment. I took the menu home and translated it into English (scroll to the bottom of the post for the menu/price list).
My experience was quite interesting. After changing into my gown, I realized I wasn’t told how to lay in the bed so I just sat there and waited. The two Thai massage therapists and the manager all came into the room and helped me get situated.
I had booked a Basic Body Treatment Massage and a Trouble Therapy Facial. They started with the back massage. Both therapists stayed in the room, but only one was working on me. The therapist started out straddling me on the bed and the massage was really relaxing. Once she hopped down off the bed she started using what felt like her elbows. It hurt so much, but I can only blame myself. When asked, I said I wanted it “a little bit strong.” I don’t think the Thai girls spoke English well because they didn’t understand me telling them that it was hurting (I think they thought I was saying I was hot). If you don’t like feeling elbows running down each of your back ribs and shoulder blades, repeatedly, then I suggest you mention that to Lyndsey before your massage. I told her that it was painful afterwards and I’ll definitely ask them to take it much easier on me next time.
The facial felt amazing! It was so relaxing. The best part was the face and scalp massage. I felt more relaxed during that bit than I ever have during a massage or facial before. If you want extractions, you need to ask beforehand. Just say “black heads” instead of extractions and she should understand what you want.
Overall, I’m very pleased with Spa Sarojin and I will definitely be going back. Next time I’ll be sure to say I’d like a very gentle massage. 😉
PLEASE NOTE: Spa Sarojin only takes cash. They do not take credit cards.
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Facials |
|||||
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A. Basic Care |
B. Anti Aging & Lifting |
C. Trouble Therapy |
D. V Line Contouring |
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|
Duration |
60 Minutes |
60 Minutes |
60 Minutes |
60 Minutes |
|
|
Price |
40,000 won |
40,000 won |
60,000 won |
60,000 won |
|
|
Sarojin Gold Facials |
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E. Whitening Care |
F. Blue Caviar Therapy |
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Program |
PH balance, intensive moisturizing, promotes cell regeneration, whitening |
Promotes lymphatic circulation, strengthens skin elasticity |
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|
Duration |
60 Minutes |
60 Minutes |
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|
Price |
80,000 won |
80,000 won |
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|
Massage Treatments |
|||||
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G. Basic Body Treatment |
H. Slimming |
I. Body Scrub Treatment |
Thai Massage |
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|
Program |
Back & lower body aroma massage, muscle relaxation |
Forearm, abdomen, thighs and calves: Improves circulation, helps detoxify the body |
Sauna, aromatherapy body massage, muscle relaxation, exfoliating |
Thai Yoga Massage/Therapy |
|
|
Duration |
60 Minutes |
60 Minutes |
120 Minutes |
120 minutes |
|
|
Price |
60,000 won |
60,000 won |
70,000 won |
120,000 won |
|
|
30 Minute Massage |
|||||
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J. Scalp |
K. Feet |
L. Abdomen |
M. Back |
N. Legs |
|
|
30 Minutes |
30 Minutes |
30 Minutes |
30 Minutes |
30 Minutes |
|
|
40,000 won |
40,000 won |
40,000 won |
40,000 won |
40,000 won |
|
Lyndsey also told me that if you pay for 10 treatments upfront, you will get a discount or many many service-uh! If you’ve been in Korea long enough, you know that’s Konglish for freebies. I asked if you can buy the package and share it and she said that’s fine. The package I bought was 500,000 won and she said that it will give me a 700,000 won credit. That should last Dave and I awhile.
Spa Sarojin
11:00am – 10:00pm
Closed Wednesdays
Phone: 070-8258-4668
PLEASE NOTE: Spa Sarojin only takes cash. They do not take credit cards.
There’s one thing that’s certain when living in Korea…
Your friends will move home! I’ve had to say goodbye to a lot of great friends over the past two years.
In February, Korea lost some more great people. Faith, Anushka and Genessa all moved home. We had a going away party for them at a norabang (Korean singing room/karaoke). It was a lot of fun. I’m definitely going to miss those girls!
Hope they don’t kill me for posting this!
We didn’t have a lot of time in Osaka so we walked around the shopping district. We saw lots of interesting things.
Osaka was so crowded and Faith and I both noted that the cultural differences between Japan and Korea were very apparent. In Korea, people have no problems pushing right by you, but politeness was out in full force in Osaka. Even through the crowds, we weren’t pushed once and people actually apologized for the tiniest bump!
We also came across a peace parade.
My January trip to Japan was one of my favorite trips because I got to see a lot of really neat things in Hiroshima, Miyajima and Osaka, but also because I got to spend a lot of time with Faith before she moved back to the States.
Hey, y’all! It’s time for another giveaway. This time, you can enter the drawing up to three times! Here’s how:
1. Like this post on Facebook.
Note: You must also like Facebook.com/LifeOutsideofTexas.
2. Share this post on Facebook.
Note: You must also like Facebook.com/LifeOutsideofTexas.
3. Leave a comment below on this blog post. “Likes” are always appreciated, but will not enter you into the drawing.
All of the items shown in the photo were purchased during my most recent trip to Japan.
Want to enter on Facebook?
Make sure you follow the RULES:
To enter on Facebook, you MUST “Like”
Facebook.com/LifeOutsideofTexas.
Only “Likes” on THIS POST will count. Unfortunately, I have no way of tracking who likes posts that have been shared. You must click the photo and like THIS post.
A few weeks ago I started blogging about my trip to Japan in January. Unfortunately, life happened and between traveling back to Korea from the US, getting sick and getting readjusted back into life on this side of the globe, I have gotten off track. If you need a refresher, here are some links to my other posts about Japan:
I also think I’ve been putting off posted about Day 3 because it was the day we went to the Atomic Bomb Dome. How can I possibly do this place justice? It was such a humbling experience.
Hiroshima has been on my radar for as long as I’ve lived in Korea, but despite already having been to Japan 3 times before this trip, I just never made it there. I’m so glad I got to go because I am forever changed after seeing the devastation that took place.
Before
Epicenter
After
The actual bomb dome was really an amazing site. It was sobering to see the mangled metal and the crumbling walls.
The museum stole the show and tugged at my heartstrings. Hard! A large portion of the museum was dedicated to the children that died that day.
Statues showing children with melted skin dripping off their bodies
Parents went searching for their children, many finding nothing, some only finding a shoe or lunchbox that belonged to their child. The museum displayed clothing that was worn at the time of the explosion.
And a little boy actually died on this tricycle. The parents buried him and the tricycle together, but later donated the tricycle to the museum.
Between the dome and the museum, there was a memorial to the children that lost their lives that day. Thousands of paper cranes had been folded. All of the artwork on the outside of the cases are made with paper cranes. And hanging inside the cases are huge collections of paper cranes. It was a beautiful tribute!
Our day at the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima was beyond words and I am so glad that I was able to have that experience. It was emotionally exhausting, but well worth the visit.
***EDIT: The contest is now over. Thank you to those that participated!***
How to enter:
1. Go to the Life Outside of Texas Facebook Page and LIKE it, if you haven’t already.
2. Look for the giveaway photo (see below) and LIKE it!
3. You MUST like THIS photo on the Life Outside of Texas Facebook Page by Thursday, April 4th, 2013 to be eligible. The cut off time is 8am Central Standard Time/10pm Korea Standard Time.
That’s it. Entering is free and I am covering shipping… so what do you have to lose?
I will try to contact the winner via Facebook message. If unable to contact the winner by Facebook, I will post the results to the Facebook wall and on a blog post. Please check back tomorrow for the results.
***EDIT: The contest is now over. The winner has been notified.***
Life Outside of Texas 