Today's Forecast: R8 and Climbing...

So there's a little something we like to refer to in Macau as the "Rage Virus." Let's just say it's not pretty and it strikes at very predictable (and sometimes unpredictable) times.

Today we ventured to Hong Kong to experience the joys Ocean Park had to bring us. Our day started out by arriving at the ferry terminal 20 minutes before the ferry (plenty of time on a NORMAL day to catch a ferry) only to find out the 930am ferry we can get for 1/3 the price with our staff IDs was sold out and instead we would have to take the 1045 ferry. Not convenient if you have to wait 1.5 hours. So we paid full price for another ticket and were off on the 10am ferry bound for adventure.

And rage.

Normal days on a ferry there are maybe 30 other people on board. Today there was much more. When we got to immigration, there was a line the likes of which have never been seen before by any of the 6 of us in HK. Out. Of. Control. And we're still not sure it's even a holiday in China. It wasn't in Macau, that's for sure.

We took a taxi to Ocean Park (smart move, as the rage just gets higher the longer you spend with public transport - proven fact) and tickets in hand, began our fun filled day.

Let's just say by 5pm, half of us had had ENOUGH and the other half were ... growing weary.

One of us had her sunglasses knocked off her head three - that's right - THREE times by three separate umbrellas (or offenders - in the case of the cleaner on the ferry). And waiting in those long lines with people who have absolutely zero concept of personal space is exhausting when personal space is something you value.

However we did invent a new version of the China walk that is suitable for the summer parasol that may or may not blind you when wielded by the careless. If you need pointers, we might post a YouTube video.

After riding all the rides and sweating more than anyone would have thought possible, we attempted to make a 715 showing of a movie, only to find out that it is the last night in HK and only showing was 945. Too late for us tired girls. So instead, we bought expensive cheeses (Ok, I bought 4 types of pricier cheese) and had some amazing Greek food for dinner, bought takeout for lunch tomorrow, went power shopping for 15 minutes and caught the ferry back to Macau. Sometimes even getting away isn't a getaway.

Malaysia in September, though, sounds just about right. Stay tuned for details.

For those of you out there lucky enough to enjoy it: be thankful for your non-Chinese world. The R8 isn't pretty. And for some of us, it's unavoidable. If you must experience, be sure you surround yourself with people who understand the Rage Virus. It's the only way to make it out alive.