Impressions of Hong Kong

Before we take off tomorrow to return to Shanghai, here are my thoughts on Hong Kong.

It has been a long time since I was in New York City but my impression is that Hong Kong is a mix of London and NYC with a Chinese flair. It is very international. There are people, shops, and restaurants from all over the world. When we get back to mainland China, it will be China.

Where we are staying is in Kowloon which could be considered the "Queens or Brooklyn" of Hong Kong. It is more residential with a lot of shops and malls. There are high rise buildings that seem to be apartments. It also seems more scrappy. Across Victoria Harbor is Hong Kong Island which probably is the "Manhatten" of HK. That is where the offices, high end shops (like the Rolls Royce dealership) and antique shops and high end apartments and houses. It feels very clean and upscale.

While most of the shopping is in Kowloon, the interesting sights and the historical locations are on Hong Kong Island. On Monday, I took the ferry across the harbor and went up to Victoria Peak via the tram. It is possible to walk to the top, but I am not in that good of shape. The tram was less of a workout. It was an incredible view. I also went by the Anglican Cathedral which is the oldest Christian church in HK. I stopped by the Museum of Teaware just before it closed and learned a little about the history of tea in china. It wasn't until the Ming Dynasty that they started steeping tea. Prior to 1300AD, they generally ground tea into a powder and then mixed it with water in a variety of ways. The most interesting is the whipped tea. the powder is mixed with a little bit of hot water and whisked into a paste using a whisk that looks like a small round broom. More hot water is added and the tea is whipped until a froth forms. It is made well if the froth stays. I then went and had tea at the teashop next store. There was group learning about different types of tea and serving. I think the guy giving the demonstration was on the Travel Channel show called the Secrets of Hong Kong. It is a good documentary if you get a chance.

Tuesday, brought me back to HK Island. This time I went to find the escalator that takes people up the steep slopes of HK. I only went up halfway and got off at Hollywood Road. This is where the antique shops are located. I just windowshopped, afraid that I would find the one thing I could not leave behind. There were some very impressive antiques mostly from Ming and Qing dynasties.

I walked along Hollywood following a recommended walking tour from the Heritage museum. I saw some buildings used by the British when the governed HK in the 1800's. I went up a steep hill to the Catholic Cathedral built in 1888. I then wound my way back down hill to Pottinger street. It is a stone street which what they originally used when the city was formed. This section had everything one could use for a decent Mardi Gras party. I wish I had room in my suitcase, I would have stocked up on feather boas and masks for the next party.

We have been eating as much Cantonese food as possible knowing that the food in Beijing will be different. Ocassionally we have ordered something that we are not sure what it is. So far it is all edible but may not be our favorite.

Tomorrow we leave for Shanghai and then on Friday we will be in Beijing. We'll be offline the next few days. In the mean time, enjoy the pictures of Hong Kong.

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