Another Day, Another Ferry
Today, with clearer skies and a desire to have a more leisurely day, we embark on the must see thing to do in Hong Kong, visiting Victoria Peak. Then try our hand at bargaining again at street markets. Our ferry awaits.
Across the harbour, we wait for the bus, 15C, to Peak Tram station, and meet a lovely couple from England who are on the Aurora cruise ship, traveling 4 months from Southampton to Panama Canal, San Francisco, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Vietnam, New Zealand, and Capetown. What a trip!
Once again, our Big Bus friends come in handy as we bypass the huge queues waiting for the Peak Tram. This is an old fashioned funicular train completed in 1888. Driven by a counterbalance cable pulley system with midway stops (that no one really uses), it's the quick way up to Victoria Peak, one of the best viewing areas on Hong Kong Island.
At the top there are several shops and restaurants in a redesigned observatory mall. Here you can have spectacular views of Central as well as Repulse Bay and Aberdeen. We have lunch at Pho Yummy, yes Vietnamese, chicken Pho and rice noodles for me, spring rolls for Lisa. It's really nice up here and a bit of a respite from bustling downtown. You really only need a couple of hours. We lost track of our British friends though. Hmm.
Going back down, we weren't so lucky from waiting in the queue, so it took some time to board the 10 minute tram. You can see the luck vegetation and gardens nearby. It is possible to walk the entire way via these garden park paths. Back at the station and after buying a couple of cokes, we go to the bus stop and lo and behold our British friends are on the bus next to us! Turns out, the queue for them was too much and the "more or less" took the taxi to the peak, and returned on the walking path and thoroughly enjoyed it. A good time was had by all. And there was much rejoicing! Yay, yay, yay.
Ladies Market, Temple Street Market
After a rest in the hotel, it's time to visit the Kowloon Markets. Time to get you guys some gifts and you better like them! The markets in Mongkok and Jordan are only a few subways stops away. The Temple Market is only open after 4 pm, but really gets hopping at night. We start with the Ladies Market in Mongkok. It's called that in name only, because all kinds of goods are here, but especially handbags, purses, scarves, tapestries, tea sets, etc. I may have picked up a few things that were requested. Wait and see. It's so much fun to see such lively places, and it's exactly what you expect, from markets to street food, that you've seen it in movies or television. Although Lisa didn't think I was having fun, I was. I just don't always show it, some of you know what I mean and have seen that look before. I'm enjoying it, really, I promise!
Temple street has such a different vibe, maybe because it's at night, maybe more variety, maybe the name, definitely more street food here. It's fun to shop because the vendors keep adding things to the haul and offering more discounts. Lisa said she just couldn't leave the jewelry and pearl stall. Of course that's what they count on. We found deal, we think, but we also thing there were better deals in Stanley Market. But for a pure Hong Kong experience, it is a must item on your checklist. Yes, I'm still enjoying the markets. No sign of Jackie Chan, placed in some sort of innocent misunderstanding of events, being chased by hooligans and then promptly beating them up and busting stuff up. Darn!
We finally enjoy my birthday dinner from atop our hotel at the 38th floor restaurant, Ava, with a beautiful view of Victoria Harbour. Romaine lettuce with pesto, a rib-eye steak, medium, and greens salad with baked cherry tomatoes.
No Macau, but Symphony
We we scheduled to visit Macao on a Day trip, but had to cancel for various reasons. Next time. We will have to come back. Instead we shop a little more at the Jade Market, where I think I spent too much. Then find lunch at German restaurant of all things, before heading out for a relaxing hour long Star Ferry Harbour Tour. One last look on our last full day. In the evening the city displays a light show on the buildings and on top of buildings. Neon lights and lasers orchestrated together in what they call a Symphony of Lights. We watched again from Ava and a complimentary drinks and hors d'ouevres during the 8:00 happy hour. One final night view and a final breakfast view in the morning before we depart.
Final Thoughts
The Hong Kong girls really love black leggings and hose. Just an observation I had. Is that so wrong? They are so cute. Really, the whole city is clean, friendly, easy to navigate mostly. There is food and shopping of all kinds, from markets to fancy malls, and high dollar, world renowned brand name stores in Central and on Nathan Road in Kowloon (sometimes referred to as the golden mile). It's one of the few places I have travelled to that I would consider living in some day. Most people speak enough English that tourist can get along nicely without learning Chinese or specifically Cantonese. Being a British Colony for 100 years, English and Chinese are the official languages, even 19 years after the handover back to China. We met friendly people from all around the world, including a Shanghai couple that frequently come to Hong Kong and gave us plenty of tips, including the best time of year to come, in November. Travel, as always, brings the world together and broadens your worldview, no matter the government's that we live under. The Donald Trump types and their ignorant followers, whose blind hatred of anyone who doesn't look like them, do not have a place in this world. It's a beautiful, diverse, multicultural place.
Keep on travelling.
Peace
Today, with clearer skies and a desire to have a more leisurely day, we embark on the must see thing to do in Hong Kong, visiting Victoria Peak. Then try our hand at bargaining again at street markets. Our ferry awaits.
Across the harbour, we wait for the bus, 15C, to Peak Tram station, and meet a lovely couple from England who are on the Aurora cruise ship, traveling 4 months from Southampton to Panama Canal, San Francisco, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Vietnam, New Zealand, and Capetown. What a trip!
Once again, our Big Bus friends come in handy as we bypass the huge queues waiting for the Peak Tram. This is an old fashioned funicular train completed in 1888. Driven by a counterbalance cable pulley system with midway stops (that no one really uses), it's the quick way up to Victoria Peak, one of the best viewing areas on Hong Kong Island.
At the top there are several shops and restaurants in a redesigned observatory mall. Here you can have spectacular views of Central as well as Repulse Bay and Aberdeen. We have lunch at Pho Yummy, yes Vietnamese, chicken Pho and rice noodles for me, spring rolls for Lisa. It's really nice up here and a bit of a respite from bustling downtown. You really only need a couple of hours. We lost track of our British friends though. Hmm.
Going back down, we weren't so lucky from waiting in the queue, so it took some time to board the 10 minute tram. You can see the luck vegetation and gardens nearby. It is possible to walk the entire way via these garden park paths. Back at the station and after buying a couple of cokes, we go to the bus stop and lo and behold our British friends are on the bus next to us! Turns out, the queue for them was too much and the "more or less" took the taxi to the peak, and returned on the walking path and thoroughly enjoyed it. A good time was had by all. And there was much rejoicing! Yay, yay, yay.
Ladies Market, Temple Street Market
After a rest in the hotel, it's time to visit the Kowloon Markets. Time to get you guys some gifts and you better like them! The markets in Mongkok and Jordan are only a few subways stops away. The Temple Market is only open after 4 pm, but really gets hopping at night. We start with the Ladies Market in Mongkok. It's called that in name only, because all kinds of goods are here, but especially handbags, purses, scarves, tapestries, tea sets, etc. I may have picked up a few things that were requested. Wait and see. It's so much fun to see such lively places, and it's exactly what you expect, from markets to street food, that you've seen it in movies or television. Although Lisa didn't think I was having fun, I was. I just don't always show it, some of you know what I mean and have seen that look before. I'm enjoying it, really, I promise!
Temple street has such a different vibe, maybe because it's at night, maybe more variety, maybe the name, definitely more street food here. It's fun to shop because the vendors keep adding things to the haul and offering more discounts. Lisa said she just couldn't leave the jewelry and pearl stall. Of course that's what they count on. We found deal, we think, but we also thing there were better deals in Stanley Market. But for a pure Hong Kong experience, it is a must item on your checklist. Yes, I'm still enjoying the markets. No sign of Jackie Chan, placed in some sort of innocent misunderstanding of events, being chased by hooligans and then promptly beating them up and busting stuff up. Darn!
We finally enjoy my birthday dinner from atop our hotel at the 38th floor restaurant, Ava, with a beautiful view of Victoria Harbour. Romaine lettuce with pesto, a rib-eye steak, medium, and greens salad with baked cherry tomatoes.
No Macau, but Symphony
We we scheduled to visit Macao on a Day trip, but had to cancel for various reasons. Next time. We will have to come back. Instead we shop a little more at the Jade Market, where I think I spent too much. Then find lunch at German restaurant of all things, before heading out for a relaxing hour long Star Ferry Harbour Tour. One last look on our last full day. In the evening the city displays a light show on the buildings and on top of buildings. Neon lights and lasers orchestrated together in what they call a Symphony of Lights. We watched again from Ava and a complimentary drinks and hors d'ouevres during the 8:00 happy hour. One final night view and a final breakfast view in the morning before we depart.
Final Thoughts
The Hong Kong girls really love black leggings and hose. Just an observation I had. Is that so wrong? They are so cute. Really, the whole city is clean, friendly, easy to navigate mostly. There is food and shopping of all kinds, from markets to fancy malls, and high dollar, world renowned brand name stores in Central and on Nathan Road in Kowloon (sometimes referred to as the golden mile). It's one of the few places I have travelled to that I would consider living in some day. Most people speak enough English that tourist can get along nicely without learning Chinese or specifically Cantonese. Being a British Colony for 100 years, English and Chinese are the official languages, even 19 years after the handover back to China. We met friendly people from all around the world, including a Shanghai couple that frequently come to Hong Kong and gave us plenty of tips, including the best time of year to come, in November. Travel, as always, brings the world together and broadens your worldview, no matter the government's that we live under. The Donald Trump types and their ignorant followers, whose blind hatred of anyone who doesn't look like them, do not have a place in this world. It's a beautiful, diverse, multicultural place.
Keep on travelling.
Peace
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