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Published: October 30th 2014
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Hong Kong Park
Lake with turtles and Koi What a beautiful day, our last day in Hong Kong. The weather has been perfect everyday of our 8 day visit. Mostly overcast with the sun peaking through at times, somewhat humid, but always 81 degrees ;-) So we decided to pick up lunch and eat it in the park. With one sandwich to share, Olive Oil Chips from Spain and a Sprite we headed up the 3 escalators to the park level and the street. Looking right for traffic (thank heavens it’s written on the street on every corner to “Look Right”), we head into the park…past fountains, the Clock Tower, the Tea Museum and around the lake with turtles basking in the sunlight on logs and rocks at the base of a waterfall. We picnicked on a bench in the park next to a tropical waterfall.
After lunch we spied a sign pointing us up the steep hill to the Aviary. Checking the map to see if there was an easier way to the Aviary rather than what appeared to be hundreds of steps, we started up a steep wide path (no stairs). We passed the beautiful, peaceful Tai Chi Garden where a lady was practicing.
Further up the hill we saw the entrance to the aviary. Rows of plastic chains hanging down to let people in and keep the 600 birds from escaping. As we pushed the chains aside we were in awe as we entered a gigantic bird cage with rivers and streams, waterfalls, wooden walks in the tree canopies for bird viewing and signage telling us about all of the birds that live there. Birds such as a beautiful Crowned Pigeon and Golden Pheasants, as well as many species of small birds like Barbets and Bulbuls, Doves, Sparrows and a variety of Myna birds, which are endangered. But… most of the birds we didn’t recognize as they live far from the USA. We both have been in many aviaries, but nothing like this one!!!!
The Edward Youde Aviary is built along a natural valley on the northern slope of Victoria Peak! The aviary has been open since 1992 and is named after the governor of Hong Kong Island from 1882 to 1986. The raised walkway through the trees allowed us to walk through the tree canopy and watch the birds eating, nesting, flying and generally having a wonderful predator free
life. The aviary valley floor is a streambed with tropical trees, shrubs and shallow pools which flow into a large pool and into a lake. The atmosphere is just so relaxing, peaceful and quiet, except for the cries and songs of the birds. It is so clean and inviting and welcoming, we spent almost an hour just wandering around. The whole aviary and experience was just so totally expected that we were just stunned and so excited that we had found it.
Back to reality as we pack for our next adventure. We have been Wandering the World for 42 days and now it is time to head back to Mainland China, specifically Beijing, the Capitol of China. The will be our first “inland” city. We leave on China Southern at 1pm and arrive in Beijing at 4:15pm when we head for the Peninsula Hotel.
Next Blog: Beijing, China
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