Day 23 - Hong Kong

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Activities

• Stanley Markets
  
• The Peak
  
• Kowloon
  
• Temple Street Night Markets
  

Highlight(s)

* Breathtaking view back on the city from The Peak
* View of Hong Kong Island from Tsim Sha Tsui - the lights are spectacular

Odd Spot(s)

* Rode the Peak Tram for the descent back down the hill during which the tram felt as though it was all but free falling.


* Many of the householders in Hong Kong employ either Nannies or House Keepers. New Years Day (Friday) was a public holiday which meant that most people were at home for the day with no requirement for their Nanny or Housekeeper. Most of the house staff are from outside of Hong Kong, on low wages and it doesn't make sense for them to travel back to their homes for the day, so they all stayed in the city for the day/night. The public areas around Hong Kong were full of women having picnics. The sound of hundreds of women gossiping about their employers was pretty amazing when you walk by.



* We took a taxi back from the Temple Street Markets to the pier to catch the Ferry back to Hong Kong Island - where we're staying. On the way the traffic went from bad to grid lock. Many of the taxi drivers around us turned off their engines and got out of the car for some exercise and stretching. Our driver chatted to the one in front investigating what was going on. When he returned we asked, "What's happening?". He simply replied, "Two car - boomda boomda."



* Gelati count = 3
* Joc's shoe purchase count = 5 pairs
* Maps of Hong Kong count = 5

Weather

Some showers, min 16 / max 20 degrees

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Photos

Peaking Out
We took advantage of the clearest day of the trip to checkout the view from "The Peak". Provides an amazing perspective on how big this joint is.

Red Cabs
Similar to Singapore the taxis are relatively cheap and not many locals have cars. There is no real need for cars - so most have them as a status symbol. What you see is; red cab, red cab, red cab, Porche, red cab, red cab, DB9, red cab, red cab, red cab, red cab, AMG.

Stanley Markets
Markets around Stanley are the "upmarket" markets - if there is such a thing. Stanley is on the other side of the Island with some nice beaches and jungle covered hills.

View from the Peak
Doesn't get any higher up than this. Hard to capture as a photo - there are skyscrapers as far as the eye can see.

The Peak Tram
The tram is by far the quickest way back to Central. Basically because it free-falls down the mountain.

Girls Night Out
On New Years Day many of the Nannies and Housekeeps were not required for work - but rather than incur the cost of travelling home, chose to stay in the city. This group were having a picnic and staying under the HSCB building.

Protest
On the way home from The Peak we walked by an organised street protest. Around 30-thousand Hong Kong residents spent the first day of 2010 by marching in the street, demanding democracy and the release of Liu Xiaobo.

Kowloon
Typical street view in Kowloon. The streets have a real buzz.

Temple Street Night Markets
Wow - so many people, so much crap.

Lights on Hong Kong Island
View of the Christmas lights on Hong Kong Island looking across from Kowloon.