| | Feb 5, 2006 - Hong Kong - City of Skyscrapers and so Much More | (click to enlarge)
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 | | show all 30 | | Hong Kong Skyline taken from the Star Ferry | | Eric giving Lionel an architecture lesson | | Ita, Eric's Mom, in Hong Kong | | |
| | Hong Kong - City of Skyscrapers
The timing could not have been better. Our flight from Singapore landed in Hong Kong, we arrived at the luggage carousel and there was Ita and Lionel, Eric's mother and her partner, waiting for us after just arriving from Montreal only 30 minutes prior. There were smiles of joy, heartfelt hugs and kisses like a classic airport scene from a movie as we came together after an absence of over five months. We caught a mini-van and off we went to our hotel eagerly chatting and catching up on news from home and sharing stories from our trip as everyone fought to get a word in as if we only had an hour together not almost 3 weeks. After their long journey we fully expected them to be jet lagged and take a couple days to adjust and get back to a normal schedule however, Ita and Lionel were like two little Energizer Bunnies that kept going and going, eager to get out and explore Hong Kong and all it had to offer.
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of Mainland China since 1997 when the many years of British colonialism came to an end. The city is on the move with plenty to offer visitors such as ourselves and have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised as I originally thought Hong Kong was going to be like another Kuala Lumpur - a busy, over populated city filled with malls and skyscrapers. Which, it certainly is and for someone like Eric that has a passion for architecture and can happily analyze buildings and city layouts all day it can be a pleasure. For myself though who prefers the great outdoors, open spaces, wildlife and nature, sometimes one busy city can flow into another - however, this was not the case with Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has a whole lot more to offer than just the skyscrapers that cram the skyline with more concrete and glass structures than I have ever seen before. A bustling city, Hong Kong presents something different around every corner - traditional Chinese shops and restaurants, action packed night life, lively day and night markets, incense filled temples, tranquil city parks, modern shopping malls, panoramic views from Victoria Peak and the list goes on. Venture just outside of town and you can find yourself basking on a sandy beach, strolling through a traditional fishing village or visiting Aberdeen where the boat people live on sampans and junks in the narrow harbour.
We explored the city with Ita and Lionel as Lionel happily proclaimed, "I feel like I am travelling in total luxury having brought along my own personal tour guides and photographers!" as we planned our days of events and snapped hundreds of photos capturing our travels together. "We are living a dream too" he joked putting a pun onto our website address of www.livingadream.ca The more we travelled with them, the more we realized what a pleasure they were to travel with, always fun, positive and eager to explore.
I read that Hong Kong Island and Kowloon on the mainland are one of the most densely populated places in the world and as we roamed the streets this became very evident. The subway system often was packed shoulder to shoulder as was the Star Ferry running between Kowloon and Hong Kong. People streamed along both the raised sky walks high above the streets and the roadside sidewalks as congested traffic filled the streets bumper to bumper. Above the busy streets was a scene equally as busy and overwhelming. Neon signs in every shape, size and colour hung out over the roads in some cases stretching across like a bridge three quarters complete. Surely this must be beat out Las Vegas as the neon capital of the world!
Our time in Hong Kong too quickly came to an end. The delicious Chinese dinners were soon replaced by the exquisite cuisine of Oceania Cruise Lines as we boarded the Nautica for our 15 days of luxury sailing throughout South East Asia visiting exotic ports of call and enjoying pampering on our days at sea.
Ten Travel Tips for Hong Kong
1. Enjoy the incredible Chinese Restaurants, which are mostly located on 2nd or 3rd floors of buildings and not at street level. Very little English may be spoken if you are outside the major tourist centres but don't let that discourage you from some incredible dining experiences. There is always a way to communicate.
2. The Mid Levels Escalators are a unique network of escalators that run 800 metres up the hillside for residents to come and go from the city centre and interesting to see. Not far from here is Hollywood Road, which is famed for its antique shopping where beautiful Chinese and other Asian pieces can be purchased and shipped home.
3. A must do for all visitors is a trip up the tram to Victoria Peak where panoramic views of Hong Kong, the harbour and Kowloon are available. The first clear and sunny day you have, make a point of heading to the summit in case the remainder of your days are cloudy or overcast. The views are worth it!
4. There are numerous temples throughout the city available to visit where you can see the locals worshipping amongst swirling incense smoke and jumble of flowers and offerings left behind while listening to the noise of the rattling bamboo fortune sticks. One of the larger and most active temples is the Wong Tai Sin Temple easily accessible off the MTR (subway) stop of the same name.
5. Star Ferries have been running for years between the Kowloon mainland and the island of Hong Kong. The ride on the old ferries are inexpensive and offer some of the best views of the city's skyline and harbour. Another must for all visitors.
6. Shopping, shopping and more shopping - it draws thousands of tourists every year from the upscale malls, antique shops and high end brand labels stores to the night markets flooded with cheap clothing and imitation knock-offs of all the labels for sale just a block or two away. Bring an extra bag or suitcase to get all your purchases home.
7. If time allows, get outside the city to explore the beach areas, popular town or Aberdeen with the boat people or the outer islands of Lamma, Cheung Chau or Lantau where the Big Budha is perched and is supposed to be the largest seated Budha in the world.
8. Hong Kong is renowned for the night life especially on weekends when the city comes alive offering something for everyone. The locals, tourists and the large expatriate community from around the world fill the demand for everything from British pubs and Irish bars to dance clubs, cabarets and karaoke that will take you into the wee hours of the morning.
9. Getting around Hong Kong is best done by taxi or using their public transportation. Remember when you are taking a taxi that there is a good chance your driver will not speak English. Have a card from your hotel with you at all times and it is a good idea to have a map showing where you want to go so you can point it out to him. As always, watch to make sure they are not taking you the long way around although even if they do the fares are very reasonable. The MRT - Mass Transit Railway (subway) is also very efficient and user-friendly but at times incredibly busy although still another good option for getting around the city.
10. Many places offer discounts to senior citizens. If you are a senior and travelling make sure you remember to ask if they have senior fares.
www.carlhenderson.ca
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