Hong Kong

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Since we decided that Tibet was to cold to enjoy the plan changed again and the decision was made to head for Hong Kong. Flights were expensive so the train seemed the best option even though it meant a 24 hour over night trip. We were able to get a soft sleeper but had to share it with two Chinese women. Sam and I purchased our tickets well in advance requesting the two lower berths, a price you pay extra for so we could talk and play cribbage. One of the other women was older and plopped down beside us on the bottom bunk grinning. Her daughter asked several times whether or not her mother could have the lower and not have to climb. After a couple of minutes the older woman gave up and with the help of her daughter climbed up and went to sleep. Through out the course of the trip she managed to climb up and down several times on her own. These two women continuously talked the entire train ride so loud you couldn’t hear yourself think. The train does not go to Hong Kong but stops at Shenzhen close to the border to Hong Kong where we spent the night. From the hotel we made arrangements for a bus across the border to Hong Kong. We were picked up in a mini-van for the 30 min trip to customs. As we stepped off the van we were handed a customs form and had a sticker slapped on our chest to identify which company we belong to. We were then piled into another mini-van. With luggage and 8 large adults we were crammed to overflowing and did not seem worth the $25 cost. At the border we again showed our passports and allowed through the first check point to the second. At the second, marked “Health Inspection” a man in a white coat with rubber gloves and mask leaned into the van. He had a hand held laser thermometer that he aimed at each one of us individually zapping our foreheads. We then settled in for the remaining hour journey to Hong Kong Airport. From the airport we caught the CityFlyer bus # A11 which took us through Hong Kong to North Point where our Hotel was located. Again we chose an Accor Ibis because of excellent value and clean rooms. Most Ibis hotels are a little bit out of the way but are always clean with simple but good restaurant/lounge. We planned on purchasing our “Around the World” tickets in Hong Kong and decided to take the metro downtown. The metros are efficient, well marked and easy to use. Our first stop was American Airlines where a nice ticket agent spent about an hour helping us with our route. Unfortunately the agent wasn’t able to supply us with our tickets without a seven day waiting period that could not be waved because we actually didn’t use any A.A flights, only their affiliates. She was nice enough to recommend the local Cathay agency where we finally got everything booked. We had to return the next day to actually pick up the tickets and spent the evening wandering around the harbor front. The harbor is famous for its lights show. The far bank is packed with tourists waiting until 8:00 p.m. when a 15 minute light show illuminates a dozen buildings on the opposite shore in a spectacular laser and light display set to music. Hong Kong has fabulous shopping plazas but prices are basically the same as you would pay in any upscale mall. We did not go to any markets, so we are not sure if deals can be had there.

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Comments

[vera]

question
what type camera? Looks great.

[Sam Scott]

Camera Type--
We have a Sony DSC-H2. It works well for someone with no experience like me....I still haven't figured out all the settings. Trial and error is my method. Sam