Peaking at The Right Time

Clear(ish) skies at last!

Victoria Peak has been wreathed in cloud and haze ever since we arrived in Honky. But today, our last full day before transferring to Bangkok, the view was finally "all clear". Our itinerary was simple: find the Victoria Tram, walk round the Peak and then hit the shopping Malls!

Clutching my trusty street map I strode out confidently from the Star Ferry terminal, family trailing in my wake. Very much later we were still strolling up and down the same back streets, confidence evaporated and arguing about where exactly we were. I pretended not to hear mutinous mutterings about asking somebody or, better still, taking a Taxi.

We found ourselves walking along streets of "live-in" shops ... and suddenly heard a sound that brought memories flooding back: "Clack, click, clatter..." from virtually every building we could hear loud declarations in Mandarin and the clatter of Mah Jong tiles being hurled down. Just a couple of streets away from Honky Central's glitz and glamour we were surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of the old colony :o)

Spirits lifted, driven by much needed support from Jan, we rallied the kids and blundered on. Quite by accident we found ourselves in front of a very crowded Tram terminal, bought our tickets and wedged ourselves in the waiting throng. It was a long wait before we reached the head of the queue and clambered aboard. Rattling uphill we were pressed back in our seats - by the incline, not the acceleration! Through the windows tower blocks appeared to lean at terrifying angles as the track climbed steeply to the peak.

After savouring the views from the terrace we walked the trail around the peak before taking lunch in the terrace restaurant. By this stage my feet were beginning to throb a little but the rest of the tribe were determined to hit the shopping malls, so onward and downward....

The Honky shopping malls are simply mind-blowing. Jan and Fran headed off in one direction to lust after fabulous clothes and accessories while Simon and I drooled over the ultimate selection of top-end hi-tech boys' toys. Dressed in our scruffy tourist garb we must have looked completely out of place!

With the light beginning to fade we spent a last hour wandering around Honky's amazing high-rise buildings. Simon, being a Graphic Designer, wanted to take photographs from all sorts of wierd and wonderful positions ... eventually attracting the attention of a concerned policeman! Then it was time to head back to the terminal for our very last trip on the wonderful, wonderful Star Ferry.

After a last meal in the hotel we took one final trip around Temple Market before heading down to the harbour and a last look at that amazing night-time skyline.

We stood, reluctant to turn away, until suddenly the view was obscured by drizzle.

Honky was weeping because we were leaving!

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