This post would have been up already but … I ran out of juice on my laptop and I needed to buy a different plug so I can charge my laptop. Such a hassle.

Mum, Kathy, and I woke up bright and early and had breakfast at this quaint little shop.

I got the Fish Fillet Cutlet with Pan Fried Eggs. It comes with Napa Cabbage, a dinner roll and your choice of drink. I got the Yuan Yang which is coffee mixed with tea.

Then I got my Octopus Card. We put money in it so that you scan your card before and after riding on the subway. It’s calculated by the number of stops and that would be how much you pay when you get off. You can also use the card as a debit card at some places so that’s good since I have zero money.

Kathy went off to work and mum and I started our journey.

I am a Hong Kong citizen since I was born here but ever since I immigrated I never came and got my Hong Kong license when I turned 11. So I finally went and got it today. Took my picture and everything. I will have to go pick up the card in a few weeks. Excited!

Then mum and I went to where we use to live before immigrating. Sai Yeung Choi Street North. The last picture at the very top is where we supposedly lived.

We saw a dog at the window in a restaurant. The restaurant wasn’t open yet but look at him. He. Does. Not. Move. At. All. He just sits there and watches people walk by!

Then we walked into a mall. We walked into a good 3 malls because that’s all you do in Hong Kong. Eat and shop. A little boring because I have no money to buy anything!

We went and ate at a restaurant in the mall. They have cute little swings as chairs! I would want one in my backyard.

Mum ordered the rbt Beef Noodles in Soup and it came with a drink in which she got the kumquat lemonade.

I got the Smoked Salmon in Carbonara Thick Toast. I’m not a fan of the sauce. It tasted weird but my mum thought it was delicious. I think it was a waste of money.

Snapped a picture of the gas prices. They definitely have cheaper gas … around $2 something.

Mum then got a dessert. I’m not sure what it’s called but it’s with Mango, red bean paste, and crème freche. I took one bite and that was enough. Too dang sweet.

We then went to a bookstore in which we looked at books for hours on end. I ended up buying a gift for someone and a cookbook. I’m excited to cook some foods! We went to the mall, bought some things then headed home.

We waited for Kathy to get home for work then Mum, PoPo, and I met Kathy at the same place we had breakfast.

I got the Lemongrass Pork Chop with Braised Pork Rice that came with a drink in which I chose the Lemonade Ice Tea.

They have this thing where you can order less rice which is what I should have done. I didn’t not finish everything. So filling.

I’ve realized Hong Kong people eat A LOT of carbs. Which I am not use to. I need my meat and veggies!

Afterward, we went back to the flat. The luggage man came around 11pm. I was so happy. I finally got clean clothes to wear. No more sticky sticky.

Second day was not filled with foods on my list but I am hoping to cross of all of them before I leave!

I hope everyone’s having a good day. When it’s day here, it’s night over there. And I’m a day early now so I’m not sure what is going on. But let’s begin.

My boarding passes.

We were there an hour or so early so I sat and looked at the planes while my mum sipped on her Starbucks coffee. That’ll be Dopey in the picture. He’s traveling with me so I’m going to try to take pictures with him in it.

Mum gave me some Hong Kong money … in case I got lost and needed it. Which is dumb because I don’t understand the first thing about Hong Kong currency here. What I do know is that the amount here is around $25 in the US. They’ll most likely just sit in my wallet for the duration of the time I’m here.

They handed out a snack of a choice of airplane peanuts, cookies, or mini pretzels. I chose the latter with water. Then my mum pulled out our goodies we packed. Beef jerky, cherries, and a chocolate bar.

We had a layover in Detroit. Look at the pretty tunnel at their airport! Makes me happy.

Mum and I split a Mega Club sandwich that consisted of ham, turkey, bacon, and Swiss with chips and water. This added up to about $14 … geebus!

Let’s just say I am not use to grains, dairy, processed foods and the flight was a little uncomfortable.

Upon boarding out last plane, we received a menu, earphones, and snacks. I got water yet again … mmmm.

When the plane lifted off, I started watching movies:

• Wanderlust – okay … not that great. Laughed in my head a few times but that was it.
• Hangover Part II – loved this movie. Hilarious. Bradley Cooper with a baby and monkey. Enough said.
• Jack and Jill – funnier than I expected. I heard the reviews sucked but I always liked things other people dislike.
• A Cinderella Movie: Once Upon a Song – Ah … loved it. The main character is the girl from Pretty Little Liars and her voice is magical. I wish I was as talented as her.
• The Lovely Bones – hated the ending but it was an incredible movie. Shows how much a family loves each other. I tried really, really hard not to cry on the plane.
• Young Adult – so boring I had to stop watching it
• Crazy, Stupid, Love – amazing. I was never a Ryan Gosseling fan but he was pretty sexy in it. And anything with Emma Stone is a plus.

Other than that I read my books, played some games on my Kindle Fire, and wrote lyrics. Yep. On napkins. Classy, eh? Dopey helped me out.

They fed us A LOT on the plane. I felt that was all I did. Eat, eat, eat. Most of the time we got to chose what we ate so my mum would pick one and I would pick the other so that we can try out everything. True fat asses right here.

There were three choices for the first one but we chose the better ones.

Left: Western Choice: Seasonal green salad with parmesan cheese and tomatoes with Italian dressing. Chicken breast with ale sauce, cheddar mashed potatoes and broccoli. Slice of cheese with crackers, bread with butter, and a dessert of a cinnamon brownie.

Right: Chinese Choice: romaine salad with carrots, celery and cashews. Sweet and sour pork with assorted Chinese vegetables and steamed rice. Bread and butter, and a dessert of fruit cup and a fortune cookie.

The western choice was a-freaking-delicious. But I can’t say the same to the Chinese choice. I was not a fan of the sour pork. It was fried and very soggy. Yuck. I kept the brownie for later eating and the dressing and butter were not in use. My mum didn’t eat the fortune cookie either. Very filling.

Mid-flight snack: ham, cheese, and lettuce sandwich, milano cookies (we didn’t eat them), and a banana.

See the black tea? I drank like 10+ cups of those. So good. It kept me warm on the long, long flight.

We ate some of our goodies we packed as well. Nom.

Our pre-arrival meal.

Left: glazed beef tenderloin with sesame sauce, Napa cabbage, carrots and rice. Cucumber salad, fruit cup, bread and butter, and water.

Right: shell pasta in red pepper pesto sauce with shrimp, leeks and red peppers. Cucumber salad, fruit cup, bread and butter, and water.

I really, really loved this meal. Both was deliciously good.

Upon arrival, we went up and down some stairs to ride a trans-am to immigration so we could sign in.

Then we headed to baggage claim. They lost my luggage. Their reason is because during the layover, they didn’t scan my luggage in time … whatever that means. Rude. There suppose to deliver it tonight. I am sweaty and wearing the same clothes. GROSS!

We waited for forever for our family to pick us up [grandma (PoPo), little cousin (Alva), and my soon to be aunt (Na)] and when we did, we got on an airport bus that took us to our destination.

After the 30 minute+ bus ride, we dropped off our baggage at the flat where I finally saw my uncle (Dicky).

Then we all headed to go hotpot, less then a 10 minute walk, where I saw my aunt [Kathy]. If you don’t know what hotpot is, it’s where we order a table full of raw foods and throw it in the hot pot where you can instantly eat it afterward. Yum. This isn’t all the food. We ordered more and I loved it all. I ate some meat but I mostly ate the veggies. Definitely did not try everything on the table because I was so full from the meals they gave on the flight.

After eating, we went back home and relaxed. Kathy didn’t know the password to the WiFi so I couldn’t update so I went to sleep instead. So here is a post I wrote at 5am when people were still asleep.

Day started out with having to say goodbye to our hotel. It was time for brunch and heading back to Houston.

Don’t you just love the décor at this hotel? It’s called The Ambassador. Check it out. It has an old feel to it. Love.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
429 Decatur Street
New Orleans, Louisiana
(504) 522-5800
www.bubbagump.com

Mama Blue’s Shrimp Gumbo [with select fish and sausage] | Cup $5.29 Bowl $7.29

Super watery. Liked the gumbo from Pompano Joe’s in Florida better.

Captain’s Fish & Chips [traditional beer battered] | $12.99

The fish was flaky but it was not anything special. The batter was actually very light and airy. The fries were normal … a little leaning to the side of getting hard.

Some of the girls wanted real food before Café du Monde so we went here unplanned. It wasn’t that great. I wouldn’t care to go to another Bubba Gump’s in the future. If I do, I’ll definitely get something else.

After our meal, we walked pass some horses. This is me feeding one a carrot. He’s actually part mule/donkey because they’re better for pulling a carload of people.

Anyway, he pretty much slobbered all over my hand. I walked like a speed of light to wash my hand at our next destination:

Café du Monde
800 Decatur Street
New Orleans, Louisiana
(504) 525-4544
www.cafedumonde.com

Jenny and I did those little penny machines. Instant souvenir.

Café au Lait (Coffee) | $3.87

Beignets [order of 3 French donuts] | $2.42

The coffee had no taste to it. It was an add-your-own-sugar type deal. After that, instant yum. I’m in no way a coffee drinker but it was so good. I wish I had more.

The beignets were so warm and gooey from the powered sugar. We had two orders and shared it with everyone else. Yum, yum. I only ate one and a quarter. I wish I had more!

The group before going into the car and heading home. Trip ends.

Those were the longest and shortest 4 days of trip ever.

I cannot wait when Hong Kong trip comes. All those wonderful eateries. Cannot wait! Eeep!

Our day begin at a local café:

Another Broken Egg Café
979 Hwy 98
Destin, Florida
(850) 650-0499
www.anotherbrokenegg.com

There was a wait outside the café for 20-40 minutes. Not bad. But it was a Wednesday. But then again it was summer in a touristy area. Wait was worth it.

The Farm Fresh [our garden fresh selection of broccoli, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, & melted combo cheese; served with a side of country potatoes and English muffin] | $9.99

If you love potatoes … go here and try it! The outside is crispy but the inside is soft and mushy. Just how a country potato should be. Other places seem to dry it out or it becomes hard. Here, it’s perfect. Give me your secret!

The omelet was plain. Seems like a normal omelet. I could do without all the cheese though. And I definitely did not eat the English muffin.

Sausage (2 patties) | $3.49

I ordered a side of sausage because I wanted some meat. It was very normal like the omelet and super oily. It was costly but hey, I guess they changed their menu, 3 patties for $3.49. Still expensive but can’t complain.

Monster Cinnamon Roll [warm & gooey with a cream cheese icing] | $3.89

Jenny ordered this, took a few bites. It was soooooo gooooood. A to order again if I’m ever at a Broken Egg Café. It was just like they said, warm and gooey. It was so moist. So dang good. I’m drooling as I’m typing this.

Banana’s Foster [waffle, french toast, or jumbo pancake; covered with our very own warm banana’s foster sauce, whipped cream, pecans & fresh banana slices] | $10.99

Another one of Jenny’s order. She really loves sweets. I took a bite and geebus. Too sweet! I think this is a sharing type of deal. She was eating it all by herself and I’m sure she overloaded on all the sugar. Bleugh!

After brunch, we went on to New Orleans, Louisiana. And checked into the hotel and got ready.

See my darkness. Yuck!

Dinner was at:

Emeril’s Restaurant
800 Tchoupitoulas Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 528-9393

Free Bread

I’m not sure of the real names of the bread but I know one is like a croissant (brown), one like cornbread (yellow), and one like a focaccia bread (square). The best one? The croissant one. Yum. So delicious.

Tammy’s choice:

Grilled Niman Ranch Double Cut Pork Chop [with caramelized sweet potatoes, tamarind glaze and green Chile mole sauce] | $32

The pork chop was very juicy … but very salty. Not a fan. The sweet potatoes were delicious though. Loved the texture but like the pork, a little salty.

My choice:

Andouille Crusted Drum [with grilled vegetables, shoestring potatoes, glazed pecans and creole meliniere sauce] | $29

Yum. The fish was very flaky and juicy but the outside was crunchy. Reason I picked this was the vegetables. Because I haven’t eaten enough. The shoestring potatoes were a little on the salty side but it was crunchy and so yummy.

I would get this again.

Jenny’s choice:

Sweet Barbecue Glazed Salmon [with Andouille-potato hash, crispy onions, and house made Worcestershire] | $27

I was going to pick this but I’m not a big fan of crispy onions and I really wanted those vegetables. Loved the salmon. Very flaky. The onions were meh. Glad I didn’t order this and suck with my drum though.

I would order this if the onions weren’t with it. I love onions, but these didn’t cut it.

After dinner, we went back to the hotel and got ready. The other girls pre-drank. Then we went to Bourbon Street.

Tropical Isle
721 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, Louisiana
(504) 529-1409
www.tropicalisle.com

I’m not quite sure if this is the right location. There were three on that street.

They are well known for their Hand Grenades | $8. I’m not sure what’s in it. But yum!

Heard this stuff makes you drunk fast so we bought two and shared it between all of us. One on ice and one as a slush. Get it on ice. Ice melts and makes the alcohol not as strong and it tastes better at the end. (Maybe we got use to the alcohol though …)

I don’t know where this place is. I looked it up online but I cannot find it. I’ll just call it:

Big Easy Pizza By the Slice
Bourbon Street
New Orleans, Louisiana

Meat Lover’s | $4.50

So cheesy. So greasy. So yummy. Get it. It tastes good from walking around everywhere.

Crossed another thing off my bucket list.

Going to a Gentlemen’s Club. Seriously. Nothing special. I’m sorry if this offends anyone but I just wanted to see why some guys like to go. It was actually funny being there. I really liked one of them. She’s from California and only come and do this for a few months for fun.

I also crossed off another thing from my bucket list.

Go to a Casino and gamble.

Check.

I played the machine Blackjack at Hurrah’s and won $10. Win. I cashed out before I lost anything. Smart cookie right here.

We went home and showered and went to bed.

Day 4. Final day. Coming up soon.

Ready for the beach! We had our free breakfast at the hotel. Yay to saving money!

Look at that wonderful view!

The water was so white and blue and super clear! So pretty!

Jennifer and Karen T. went to scooter so Jenny, Tammy, and I did our own thing. We had to get a quick lunch so we went to:

Pompano Joe’s
2237 Scenic Gulf Drive
Destin, Florida 32550
(850) 837-2224
www.pompano-joes.com

Since we didn’t want to get sick from eating too much food, we split an appetizer and a soup.

Seafood Gumbo [2012 Winner of the People’s choice award & best overall gumbo at the Sandestin Gumbo Festival] | Cup $4.49 Bowl $5.99

We got the bowl since we were sharing and it was deliciously yummy. It was thick but at the same time, thin. There was a lot of meat and veggies in there as well. So filling.

Fried Calamari [served with marinara and tiki sauces] | $8.99

Yum. The little legs on this squid was so tender. It kind of crackles in your mouth when you chewed it up and it’s not because it was fried. I didn’t need any of the sauces for this baby. It was great just by itself!

We waited half an hour or so to cross something off my bucket list!

Surfing!

There’s a surf school there called Ride On Surf School.

It took me a little bit to finally get it down and when I did it felt like I was soaring on water.

We did a group lesson (2 or more) with 1 hour instruction time and 1 hour free surf time for $55 per person.

The instructors were so nice and helpful and never gave up once! I would love to come here again and Ride On! It’s only about $20 to reserve a board for an hour without the lessons, so why not?

Us with our instructors, Austin and Dylan.

We all met up, showered, and got ready for:

Rick’s Crab Trap
1096 Scenic Gulf Drive
Miramar Beach, Florida 32550
(850) 269-1252
www.rickscrabtrap.com

Just some of the food we got. It was happy hour so a lot of things were half off. I wasn’t that happy with my foods though. Very simple and a little bland.

I don’t think I would come here again.

Looking out into the water after dinner.

We went shopping and souviner shopping after.

It was a long day but it was worth it.

Oh did I also mention I’m sunburned like crazy? I was red as a tomato and now I’m peeling like a snake. Bleugh!

Day 3 coming soon!