#3 Highrises, Parks, Highrises, Parks, Highrises

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Today is really April 23, 2005, but I’m continuing to backtrack on the log.

March 21
First day could only sleep till around 9am - very much still on the LA clock. Like a trooper I was up and ready for my first venture out into Hong Kong. Tony said we would take a short walk. Right. Not with him…it always turns out to be an unending trek. Being it was a bit chilly I wore my boots (which have 3 1/2 inch heels) because I THOUGHT it would really be a short walk. How could I have totally forgotten what it’s like to live with Tony?

Our apt is in Sheung Wan, a district just to the west of Central. We traversed Sheung Wan, Central, and Admiralty districts and came back around to Soho and Central again. Miles and miles of up and down, steps upon steps. Hong Kong is about moving traffic - from wheels to feet. Everywhere you turn there is taxi, trolley, bus, MTR entrance, a staircase, elevated walkway, or escalator to move you along your way.

Short bit about the districts. HK is made up of eighteen districts, we hit just a few of them on the first day. Sheung Wan is a working class neighborhood with very few westerners, but a fair number of Chinese speak some English and you’ll find many stores with English signage, menus, etc., enough to get you by. Central is where much of the tourism happens - the westernized stuff like fancy hotels and restaurants, high end malls, designer everything, and of course, high prices. This is where most tourists hang out. Admiralty is a chi chi area, fancier malls like Pacific Place, and beautiful Hong Kong Park. Soho tries to be like NYC Soho - artsy shops, boutique-ish restaurants, funky feel & tourists.

Starting in our neighborhood, a stop at Catherine Bakery, a local chain of tiny bakeries with tiny prices & great selection of savory & sweet yummy baked goods. Tony’s favorite launching point for every walk, every day.

On to Deli France, a chain of somewhat regular type deli fare, bakery & coffee - very good for those not attuned to local cuisine yet. Uh, me.

A bit further on to Sheung Wan MTR station to get an Octopus card - a necessity here. Smart card technology used smartly - all forms of public transportation accept it, as well as supermarkets and convenience stores, maybe more?

Further yet to the Zoological / Botanical Gardens just south of Central. The zoo is quite limited and not at all like the big city zoos in the US. Some primates, birds, and their prize jaguar. Nicely laid out and a pleasant, relaxing walk. Same with the Botanical Gardens, nice but not grand - if you really want to see a spectacular one, go to Singapore!

Then on to Hong Kong Park in Admiralty with a walk thru the very excellent Edward Youde Aviary - a jungle in the urban jungle. There is always the backdrop of highrises wherever you go - I think it's stunning & impressive! However, Hong Kongers have been criticising overdevelopment and the lack of trees in the city. You seldom see a structure older than 30 years. Back again to Central to The Cavern for dinner - the club Tony works at.

Of course, in my jet lag fog it all went by in a blur. But I did have the presence of mind to take some pics. But, oy vey, my feet!

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