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Published: October 24th 2012
Travel time: 24 hours. I don't know my own name or what time zone my body is in. I have been sitting too long, eating way too much carbs and plane food. Don't even know if I'm hungry or not, but eat for the simple fact I don't know when I'll have a meal again. Everything on the plane is dark, peope are sleeping, and I'm waiting until I see a glimmer of hope outside that tiny airplane window. I have no expectations and have almost forgotten my destination. I expected to see a hint if the glitzy skyline upon our descent but I see nothing but dark and airport. It's a short-ish bus ride to our apartment where Stanley our host meets us. We are on a really busy street with lots of foot traffic and restaurants tht are open late the apartment is really really small. 400 sq feet I'm guessing, but its functional. We did a quick walk around the hood, but time to rest up, get into Asia time and see what tomorrow brings.
So today is first full day in Hong Kong. We woke up really early, probably just getting used to everything. It was
already quite warm and humid when we walked down to the waterfront and explored some of the shops down there before heading to our first dim sum place Jade garden. It had a great view of the water front in this formal dining setting. We got the usual suspects, har gow, Sui mai, taro puffs etc. it was good, nothing spectacular. Although the baked BBQ pork pastry was delish, the rest was average. I give a 3.5/5. After fueling up for the day our first stop was over to Hong kong island via the star ferry. This ferry was not what I had pictured in my mind when I thought of the inter island ferries. This ferry gave me more of a picture of what is was like for early Chinese refugees trying to make it to the America's. The esthetic of the boat itself was modernish,but the way it rocked in the waves of the water gave me a slight queasiness. We made it to the other side without incident, and took the MTR over to causeway bay. A busy area, lots of shopping Malls and tons of people. We took a quick walk around Victoria park, great little
green space with a jogging track and lawn bowling and a huge lawn where people hand out enjoying the weather. there seemed to be a lot of filopino girls, hanging out in different gaggles along the sidewalks, a lot of them picnicing in a sort of way, sitting on old sheets and loitering about. I'm not sure what this is, if its just a cultural thing of a natural gathering place to socialize while squatting or if they are Hong Kong gypsies who are skillful at lifting your wallet while their friends distract you. I'll have to investigate further. Next stop, the peak. We wait in this ridiculously inefficient line for the peak tram to take us to the top. The top of the peak is an amazing modern architecture building, boasting shops and restaurants. The sky terrace looks out over Hong Kong and all the different Islands. The scenery is really beautiful, tall buildings and modern skyscrapers, contrasted against this thick grey smog, clinging around the skyline. It made me a little sad, disturbed by the constant haze in the sky.
Tomorrow Macau ! photos to come
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Mom
non-member comment
I miss the shopping in Hong Kong, enjoy it to the fullest for me. I am really sorry to hear that the ferry is making you sick. I hope that despite this issue that you can enjoy you trip. Make sure you do the night markets, they are a lot of fun, and you can get some great deals on stuff.