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Published: April 24th 2011
Hello All,
Three days in Hong Kong have gone in a somewhat jet-lagged flash (C: for Steve, anyway - I never seem to be bothered by it) but we've had a great time. We're writing this from the Qantas lounge as we wait to depart for Perth.
The flight over was uneventful and Steve insisted on using the new (well it was new last time we were here) Airport express to get into town from the brilliant airport at Chep Lap Kok. Having flogged our way to the hotel it was 5 pm - the day after we left - but we decided to freshen up, dig deep, and head out to to a night market over on the Kowloon side. Of course we started shopping early but it as good to get out and about in the sights sounds and smells of the busy, bustling city. (C: - I needed a fan! very warm here, and I'd left mine at home, stupidly. Otherwise I need have spent nothing. As it was, Steve spent way more than me. Situation normal, then).
After a late night we did not start "day 1 proper" very early, but when we eventually roused ourselves we headed out to see some new stuff - things we had not seen or visited on previous visits. (Cathy came out to HK twice while I was working here on and off in 1997 / 98). We took in a very lively flower market, a "bird park" where the local take their pet songbirds out for some air - still in their cages, of course - and where they can buy all the paraphernalia... fascinating stuff but we felt like letting the birds go - sad to see them caged up, but there again we simply would not see them at otherwise. One bird we noticed a lot of were sparrows - not seen nearly as often these days from our gardens in Essex. On Friday, a journey out of the city on the MTR (the underground) took us to Nian Lin garden. Some wonderful pictures here in a delightful oasis among the high rises, with a great emphasis on topiary, including some stunning "cloud pruned" conifers. (C: In fact I noticed as we travelled around that there is topiary everywhere, including central reservations of major roads! All helps to make the city much more pleasant than it was last time I visited). Very tranquil and worth the trip out. For our evening entertainment we revisited an old haunt - The American Restaurant in Wan Chai - great food, but to our dissappointment they only served Peking duck whole - which is a bit too much even for us. Then on Carnegie's Rock Bar for some late night beers - surprisingly civilized for a Friday night. (C: great music too - but you will be relieved to hear that I declined to take to dancing on the tables on this occasion).
We awoke to a dull and rather wet day on day 2 - Saturday 23rd April. "Stanley Market!" we agreed, and set off by bus across the island. The areas has been much improved since we were last here, but the market itself has lost none of it character and charm. Steve bought shirts - surprise surprise - and a dragon. Cathy was more restrained, contenting herself with a simple white linen outfit (C: well, it's plain white right now, but I have plans ...).
A bus back and a quick tram ride took us out to the Western Market - a delightful old "wet Market" built in 1906, now gentrified and used as as a rather novel wedding reception venue on the upper floor. It was Saturday PM and they we just getting going.... I managed to talk Cathy out of buying a large wooden carving she spotted here (C: er - that's not quite how I remember it!) but then we headed off to an area formally named Hollywood Road but widely known as Cat Street (after the Cat burglars that sold off their ill gotten gains along this road). It's all antiques now, ranging for the very posh and in-feasibly expensive to the flea market tat shops that Cathy loves to dig around in. Guess what: Yes she found and even better, bigger carving that she will lug around the world. (C: I think this is unfair. I got it at a good price - lord, I love haggling! - and it's not as wide as the first carving I fancied, not nearly as heavy as the second one, and it's beautifully carved with pierced detail, and will make a lovely lamp when Steve has done his stuff. And it fits in my back pack, so doesn't count against my weight allowance. The only question is - where the heck will it go in my house? So many lamps, so few rooms ...).
Today, we've been out on a fast ferry to an "outlying island" - Cheung Chau - along with about 100,000 locals on their day off. The sun came out and it was actually rather nice exploring this very lively yet laid back enclave. No shopping today but a lovely seafood lunch on the sea front watching the local fisherman at work and taking loads of photos. (C: I did consider a sun hat visor thingy, but it had an infeasibly long "bill" which Steve clearly thought was hugely funny. What I really wanted - and I had seen people wearing them - was a pair of flip flops with - wait for it - clear plastic "bubbles" on the thong topped off with two dinky little yellow plastic ducks - just the thing for Leigh on Sea high street, I thought - but they didn't do them in bigfoot sizes). We'll load some pix up next time....
Final observation on HK. Everyone is so polite. Three time while rattling about on the MTR or the trams - which we did a lot- people kept offering to move or give up a seat so the Cathy could sit down or that we could sit together. Lovely.
All's well and we're getting over the jet lag. Tonight we only shift forward 1 hour so we think we'll be in good shape for OZ. Tragically, and despite our best efforts to smarten ourselves up, no upgrade ...
Bye for now.
Steve 'n' Cathy
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veronique brun
non-member comment
So far yet so near
Hi guys, wonderful to be able to read your adventure as it is happening. Cathy, be sure to take pix of the backpack as it grows enroute. All well here, watching more royal wedding historics and runups, weather incredible AGAIN. Toms hearty and very healthy. Your favourite dog sends a lick. vb