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Published: July 18th 2017
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Geo: 22.33, 114.18
This morning found us up and out at an early hour. We had lots of territory we wanted to cover. Our first destination required a forty five minute subway ride followed by another forty five minute bus ride up one side of a mountain and down the other to reach the village of Tai O which is located on Lantau Island. It was well worth the trip. The scenery was fantastic. All the way up and down we were surrounded by thick, lush greenery with an occasional glimpse of the water below.
Tai O is a quaint fishing village located on the coast of Hong Kong's largest island. It's inhabited by the Tanka people. They live in unique homes along the water's edge. The Tanka houses are on stilts and are interconnected. The intimate living arrangement creates a tight knit community. The Tankas have a deep connection to the water because not only do they make their livelihood from fishing but there home are also above the water. Tai O's coastal farmland and water stream allowed for the development of agriculture too. The people here have created their own culture, society and identity. Since the 1960's Tai O's agriculture
and salt industry have collapsed and the fishing industry is also shrinking. Many young people have moved out to seek jobs in urban settings while their parents and relatives have remained in the poorly maintained but peaceful village. It was a stark contrast to the urban way of life in Hong Kong. It appeared to be a very poor community where people live with very few conveniences. The doors to some of the homes were open so we could see the furnishings were very basic. They are living without some of the things we take for granted.
On our return trip before catching the subway we walked around the streets of Tung Chung. It had more of the atmosphere of a suburb of a big city. The buildings were modern with new construction going on all around. The area is filled with many high rise apartment buildings with no single family homes in sight. Adjacent to the subway station was an outlet mall which we strolled through. It contained many of the stores we have in Michigan at Great Lakes Crossing or Birch Run. Outside was a plaza where many people were eating lunches or just relaxing in the warm
sun on another beautiful day! We became part of that crowd as we were due for a little break. We did a little more wandering around the neighborhood and then returned by subway to our neighborhood.
We decided our next stop would be Mong Kok. Located there is a popular Hong Kong Market called the Ladies Market. The market has over 100 stalls selling clothing, cosmetics, jewelry, toys, shoes, luggage, phone related items, electronics and trinkets. This is the most crowded neighborhood we have visited here. The street is closed to traffic after 4 pm until midnight to allow for the large crowds that frequent the market. Walking along Tung Choi Street in the market area you get the sense of a festive atmosphere.
We spent a full day in three different communities today, from fishing village, to a more suburban area and then the urban scene in Mong Kok. They each have so much to offer to a visitor to help us become aware of what life is like in Hong Kong.
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Larry and cynthia
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Looks like u had another busy day! The pictures are great! Gotta love shopping there!