first bday in HK

i just returned from my Vietnam trip (more on that later), unpacked my bags, and spent my first birthday in Hong Kong... it was especially nice having my close high school friend, Julie, visiting us for several days.

on Friday, i went out to dinner and clubbing with some friends for an early celebration. we went clubbing near Lan Kwai Fong at Hei Hei Club, which is currently one of HK's hottest clubs. i love that they play some pretty hot hip hop music, but i hate how it always gets too crowded to dance or stand without being bumped into. after defending our dance space as long as we could, it got to be too much, and we all called it an early night.

total drink count for the night: two Malibu Pineapples (my favorite mixed drink), resulting in only a slight buzz. this was one of the few birthdays where I partied but didn't get wasted. this must be a sign that i'm really getting old. hmm.

but i wasn't about to accept that so easily... so i joined my friend Wendy and her friends on a hike on the Dragon Back trail leading to Shek O beach on Monday. it was a 2.5 hour hike up and down a series of small hills (like the spikes on a dragon's back, hence the name) overlooking a scenic ocean view. not too difficult of a hike, but it had its share of steep, rocky paths to cross. i made it through with relative ease, so i feel good. we rewarded ourselves with food and drinks at a nearby beach bar... our little jackpot at the end of the rainbow. or something like that.

what better way to feel young and alive than to conquer the great outdoors? Dragon Back was no Mt. Everest, but it was good enough for me. :)