OK here it is, the comprehensive update from 5/30-today.
5/30 - After school, met up with my dad and went to the old city. Explored the old city a bit which was quite cool. Lots of old streets with markets and shops. This evening had dinner with dad and Philip at Guyi. Fairly good Hunan food and definitely spicy. After dinner, went for drinks and dessert at People's 7. This was a cool lounge/bar and was very good.
5/31 - Had dinner at Jean Georges tonight. Wow! This was an amazing set menu with sea bass, beef tenderloin, and a great chocolate dessert. Took a stroll on along the Bund after dinner.
6/1 - Had dinner with the relatives.
6/2 - Moved from Pudong to the relatives house. After, went to KTV at Partyworld (钱柜) in Fuxing Park. In attendance were Steven, Raffaella, Olivia, Tomoyo, Karen, and another teacher whose name I don't know. Sang our hearts out in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and even Spanish. After KTV, went to Zapata's for a foam party. Loads of EF students were there. At first, not so much foam but then lots. I chose not to go in because it was a little too much. Plus, I was leaving for Hong Kong the next day. Foam party finished, went to Bi Feng Tang for late night supper. Upon returning home, packed for HK.
6/3-6/4 - After 2.5 hrs of sleep, got up and went to the train station. Met Olivia there. Made our way through the crowds and waited for the train to arrive. Boarded the train and our 28 hour ride began! To pass the time, read, talked, slept, &c &c &c... Arrived in Kowloon at 2PM or so. Took us a bit to get to the hostels but we made it. After putting our stuff away, had some drinks and eats at Starbucks (didn't eat lunch). After that, Olivia had to take care of some things so I made some necessary phone calls. Met up with Olivia and we wandered around Causeway Bay (铜锣湾) trying to find a bit to eat. Ate at a place specializing in dairy products. Wandered some more after eating.
6/5 - Had lunch with a relative of mine living in HK. She treated us to some dim sum with a bunch of her friends. After that, took the Star Ferry back to HK island. In the afternoon, went to Stanley Market. Nothing very interesting. Ended up sitting in a coffee shop talking and reading. Went back to Causeway Bay. Took the Central Escalator to the Mid-Levels/SoHo for a sandwich at Archie B's. Fine American deli. Was disappointed, though, by the "world's longest escalator." Definitely the "world's longest collection of short escalators and cement sidewalks."
6/6 - Went to Lantau Island today. Saw a big Buddha and a temple. Usual tourist sights... Went back to Central (金钟) and took a one hour boat tour of the harbor. Had dinner at a decent sushi place in Kowloon.
6/7 - Climbed the Peak...on the Peak Tram, that is! Nice cloudy view of Hong Kong. Ate lunch on the Peak. At night, a business friend of Olivia's father treated us to a very decent Italian restaurant. For dessert, we went to Chocolux: a chocolate specialty restaurant.
6/8-6/9 - Not too much today. Sat in Starbucks and read. Had a last lunch with Olivia then off to the train station. Train ride uneventful (though shorter - 25.5 hrs). Arrived in Shanghai at 4:30pm and went back to the relatives place to unpack. In the evening, went to Mike's place for some pizza and watched After the Sunset.
6/10 - Met with Philip at Garden Books. bought some last reading material and had ice cream. had supper with the relatives. After, packed to go home, but i'm not finished yet.
TODAY - I'm currently at school visiting with the teachers and using their computers... Tonight, a last dinner. I leave Shanghai at noon tomorrow.... :(
This is my last entry in China. I arrived in the country on Sep. 8, 2005, and will leave June 12, 2006. That's 278 days I've spent in China and it was definitely the time of my life. Next entry in the UNITED STATES!!!!