Swing Swing

If you know me you may know I am terrified of falling. Not heights but of the actual act of falling. I'm ok with roller coasters (I'm strapped in, I'm ok!) and airplanes (statistically I'm fine) but put me on a 2-foot stepladder and I'm shaking so hard I will probably topple over (proving that you should have NEVER put me on that stepladder).

If you know me you also might know I really, really, really LOVE trees. Bamboo, Redwoods, Evergreens, Banyan Trees- I love them all. Further proof here and here. Trees even play a pretty big part in my WIP.

When I was in Chiang Mai this month my love for trees was put to the test. I had an opportunity to go zip-lining in the jungle of Northern Thailand.  I've been zip-lining before but you zip-line, land, walk to the next podium, zipline, land, repeat. This was something called "Flight of the Gibbons" and you literally zip-line from tree to tree.

I had to at least try it.

We started out with some warm-up lines not too far above the ground. I didn't enjoy it at all. My harness felt too loose and was chaffing and our instructors were goofing off. After the second trial run we landed on a tree that was shaking in the wind and I almost turned back.

But I didn't- and I'm so glad I stuck it out and conquered my fear of falling! At least for the day. I did every single zipline- even the ones where they connect it to your back and you free fall for a bit. It was AMAZING. The views were incredible and I got to see the jungle and the trees in a way I never would have been able to from the ground.

Tree love!

Flying

Ok, maybe I was still a little scared. Just of the landing though!

Couples zipline. Aww

Lesson- always better to do something because you love it instead of not doing something because you are scared.

Also. Trees are awesome.

Happy Year of the Dragon

Why hello there! It has been a while. Hope 2012 is off to a glorious start for you. Happy Year of the Dragon!


Last year was year of the Rabbit- which was my year. I thought it was meant to be a good year but apparently your own year is bad luck. 2011 was pretty fantastic so if it was supposed to be my "unlucky" year I can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for me!


I spent the Chinese New Year holiday in Hokkaido, Japan (which was absolutely MAGICAL- details to come) so missed most of the festivities and fireworks here in Hong Kong but did manage to check out some of the fun in the days leading up to the holiday.


KGT and I were exploring on a lazy Sunday and stumbled upon a charming little street market in Sheung Wan with lots of CNY goodies. KGT got me a cute handmade dragon ornament -I collect ornaments and love them to have a story to go with them. I also found some fantastic fluffy earmuffs for only 30 HKD (about 4 USD) for my Japan trip. They broke by the end of the trip but I'd say I got my money's worth.

Being the dragon (obviously)

And it wouldn't really feel like Chinese New Year in Hong Kong without a trip to the beautiful and somewhat tacky New Year's Flower Market in Victoria Park, CWB.  One side is all sorts of dragon related kitsch as well as a ridiculous amount of Angry Bird merchandise. This side is crowded with people trying to get you to buy whatever they are selling. The other side is remarkably tranquil and calm and full of beautiful flowers for the new year. I bought a lovely little cherry blossom bouquet that waited until I came back from Japan to bloom.

snacks 

pinwheels to blow away bad fortune 

Dragons everywhere

orchids 

Happy Year of the Dragon- best wishes for health, happiness, and good fortune! 

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