We woke quite late again so didn’t end up getting out until late! We decided to go over to Hong Kong island, via the MTR subway. It is much easier than the subways we have used so far, and so clean, new and quick!
We had a mooch around statue square, where there were some huge drums celebrating the East Asian Games which start in December. We also observed the very narrow double decker trams which have been working for over 100years. From there we went to the peak tram and took a ride on the tram which travels up a very steep hill, so steep that the buildings look like they are leaning at 45 degrees! It was quite far to the top, and seemed to get steeper the further we got! Once at the top you could see across Victoria harbour and to Kowloon, where we’re staying. We could also see some of the docks and hundreds of containers were stacked up ready to be shipped. The buildings are so close together, including the skyscrapers and they spread for miles and miles! We had a mooch around the shops before catching the tram back down the hill, seated backwards!
We then explored Soho and Hollywood road which were a little less busy than in Kowloon and there were many antique shops selling traditional Chinese china and collectables. While on Hollywood road we visited the Man Mo Temple. They burn incense sticks in every available space, including spirals of them from the ceiling!! The smell was overpowered by the smoke though! The figures of the Buddha’s were quite impressive though!
After a short stop in Starbucks to try the new xmas coffees, we travelled along part of the longest covered escalator! Although, some of the direction that we were travelling in meant that we were travelling down so they only provided stairs! Hmm!
We then made our way to Western Market situated in an old Edwardian building. We saw mostly cloth stalls and they sold every shade of every colour that you could possibly want!
Our next mission was to find the Golden Bauhina square where there is a blooming Bauhina sculpture..see pics!! We got confused by where we thought it was and ended up in the wrong end of town..but we got to see more of Hong Kong! We eventually found it, did the pictures, and then waited by Wan Chai harbour to watch the Symphony of Lights show. It is the largest permanent light and sound show and incorporates 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour. We weren’t expecting much but were left speechless by the end! It was pretty cool!! Many of the buildings are lit up at night with fancy colours and patterns, but the show was quite something!!
Then it was time for home and bed!
We’re both feeling a little better today, but seem to perk up in the evenings, perhaps because of it being daytime at home! Hopefully we will have adjusted by the time we get to Australia! We both like Hong Kong and its craziness, as tucked away are some nice features!
We’ve noticed small things, like the scaffolding is made from bamboo, and the base which sits on the floor is on the thinnest bit! Odd! It’s as if you could kick one and the rest would tumble! But obviously they have been using it for years and bamboo is pretty strong! We also got stopped by a group of school girls doing a survey! They must have targeted us as we were obviously tourists! We managed to understand them, but not sure we gave them the answers they were looking for!