Early February.  A cold and windy day at Toguchi Beach.  We were supposed to meet friends there, but we take FOREVER to leave the house in the mornings, so by the time we got there everybody was already gone.  It was super cold (well, Okinawa cold.  So like, in the low sixties, but really windy), so most normal people would want to leave after five minutes.  We stayed two hours.  

The morning of our last day, we just walked around the city, checking out Salisbury Road and looking for a playground.  These guys are spoiled in Japan with playgrounds on every corner.  We really had to hunt for this one.  Hazel spent much of the time with her hands in her mouth (hello, two-year molars!), and it’s amazing she didn’t get sick.  After a long delayed flight, we made it home just before midnight, tired and happy.  

Every time we travel, I’m reminded that “one does not take a vacation with kids.  One takes a trip.”  I still think this is true, but it gets easier/better every time.  This was the most vacation-y trip we’ve taken yet.  I read a whole book!  And got my first pedicure in seven years!  I credit the hotel for making this possible.  They had babysitting services, but I wasn’t quite comfortable with that.  But I would stay in the room while Hazel napped Ben and Max would go to the pool, or go eat in the lounge.  One night we put Hazel down for bed early and Ben took Max to the lounge for dessert.  I sat in my comfy robe, made a pot of tea, and watched the light show over the harbor while reading my book.  And Ben was kind enough to let me escape to the spa for an hour our last morning.  These are good, good years staying at home with both these guys full-time, and I’m so sad they’re going so quickly, but these brief times of rest feel so luxurious.

The next day we tried for better views from Victoria Peak, but it was even foggier.  We could barely see several yards in front of us, much less the harbor.  even so, we had fun on the cable car, which was on super steep incline.  Max and Hazel enjoyed this more than the hike, I think.

Scenes from the top of the mountain.  It was a bit kitschy up there and the big Buddha was built in 1993, so hardly a piece of ancient history.  There were many touristy shops and not-so-great food, but the ride to the top was worth it. I was hoping for great views, but it was really overcast and gusty, and a quick storm rolled through while we were up there.  It died down by the time we rode back, but I did not enjoy the windy ride back.  

Our first full day in Hong Kong, we rode a glass-bottomed gondola up to the top of Lantau Island.  It’s hard to tell, but in the first photo you can see how long the ride was.  You can see the little stations on the top of the hilltops in the distance. We ended at the big Buddha in the second photo.  Max LOVED it.  Hazel was a little scared and started crying, and needed to be held the whole time.  I can’t really blame her.  I was…uncomfortable with the height, but it was so worth it for how happy it made Max.