Hong Kong was fantastic, as always. Made even better though this time by the presence of my wife. As mentioned earlier, I've wanted for a long time to take her there, and we finally got that chance.

Sorry about not putting anything out about it earlier, but in our line of work, operations security (OPSEC) is pretty important. So, to avoid compromising anything, I waited until I was already there to announce it. As I once heard said, "Just because you're parnoid doesn't mean someone's not after you..."

The trip out was fine, and I flew Emirates for a change of pace (and because it was a few hundred bucks cheaper than Cathay), which meant changing planes in Dubai, UAE. It also meant that we had an enroute stop in Bangkok, though we just stayed on the plane there...Still, two new places that I've not been before.

Getting in to Hong Kong, I caught the train over from the airport, then the free shuttle to the Renaissance. What a nice place that is, as well it should be for the price. Our room was on the 41st floor, the club level, with great views (except for the ever present fog and mist) of the harbor. Guess that's why they call it Harbor View.

After checking in, I called one of the other Navy Wives staying in the hotel and arranged to meet her and another lady for breakfast before heading out to meet the ship. I had conspired with them to surprise Melody by showing up on the ship, rather than waiting for her on the pier.

After breakfast, we walked down to the pier, and after showing our IDs, went into the area reserved for the sailors. We hopped on a boat, and pitching and rolling in the choppy bay water, drove out to meet the ship. The fog was so thick, however, that when we got to where the ship was to anchor, it was't yet there. So, after boring holes in the bay for about a half-hour, pitching and rolling, we headed back to the pier.

A few hours later, we again left the pier and this time were rewarded with the sight of the huge Kitty Hawk emerging from the mist. We had to wait for a while for a barge to be hooked up to the stern, but finally, we were able to tie up to it, and disembark.

As they lowered the gangplank and secured it, I was awed by the size of the ship. This is one big boat! After a few minutes, we walked up the steep bobbing stairs, requested permission to come aboard, and moved into the cavernous hangar bay. I cooled my heels in Gun Boss' office while Melody was summoned to the hangar bay deck. Finally, I heard her melodious (pun intended) voice, and there she was.

After she got done strangling me with a hug, we went down to the Medical department, she tied up some loose ends, and we headed off to savor a few days together in Hong Kong.

We met Nicole and Lok for drinks and dinner (Staunton's Bar and Panevino Italian Restaurant) later that evening, and finally got back to the hotel late to try to get some rest for an early day and a trip to mainland China.

We rose at about 5:30 AM, and made it to the pier by 6:30, no small feat considering the late hour that we got to sleep. After checking in, we boarded a bus and headed under the bay to the Kowloon side to board the high speed ferry to Shekou. The ride took less than an hour, and we disembarked at the ferry port, negotiated immigration (which took a little longer for Melody, since her passport is still in her old name). The ATM took our card though, and gave us some real Chinese money. I pulled 500 Yuan out, not really knowing how much that was. I think it was about $50 US.

Our tour guide, Jimmy, who started the trip in Hong Kong wasn't allowed to do any guiding in China. So, we were joined by a lady who was the official, government guide. Our first stop was at a market so we could see some of the traditional ways of buying and selling. One of the fruit vendors gave Melody a delicious tangerine, and when Melody wanted to buy one, our nonexistent Chinese language skills ensured that we got one KILO. We definitely had plenty of tangerines for the rest of the trip. Later on, we gave them to some guys begging outside of a Buddhist temple.

When we were done at the market, we headed off to Guanzhou, formerly known as Canton. We were surprised to learn that it's the 3rd largest city in China after Shanghai and Beijing. In fact, Shenjen, which we drove through to get to Guanzhou, is the 4th largest city in China. The way the growth in the area has been (Shenjen was just a small village 25 years ago), it's not inconceivable that the two will eventually join into some megalopolis, as they're only separated by about 50 miles or so.

As we drove to Guanzhou, we saw a Wal-Mart, and a sign that was more what we expected to see in a Communist country..."EMPTY TALK ENDANGERS THE NATION. PRACTICAL WORK BRINGS PROSPERITY." That's more like it! The stirring "Workers of the World, Unite!" type slogans that you're supposed to see behind the bamboo curtain! None of this Wal-Mart stuff!

The weather was pretty rainy and actually a little on the cool side, so we really weren't able to see too much driving up to Guanzhou. By the time we got there, we were all pretty hungry. So, the first stop was lunch...Chinese Food. Who'd have guessed it? We stopped at a nice hotel, and were whisked upstairs to the restaurant. Sitting in groups of ten or so, the food came on large platters to be flung around on a lazy susan to each other. Rice, chicken with broccoli, bok choi...lots and lots of food. And, of course, a Tsing Tao to wash it down with. The service was excellent, and the hostesses were dressed in long, elegant, jewel tone Chinese dresses, really making it feel like we were in China.

After lunch, we dozed on the bus until we got to our next stop, the Sun Yat Sen memorial. He's essentially the George Washington of China, the guy who ended the archaic feudal system. The actual statue of him outside was being sandblasted, so we couldn't really see it. But the main fixture of the memorial was the huge auditorium. Our tour guide led us inside, and let us wander around for a while. There was a mockup of the Great Wall inside, as well as a few souvenier shops. After getting a few things, we headed back outside for a few more pictures, and then reloaded ourselves on the bus.