Hangin' in Hong Kong

Thursday, March 29

Hangin' In Hong Kong            

Today was absolutely lovely with a high in the seventies and a warm sun. What a chance to go to the highest vantage point, Victoria's Peak and literally get a bird's eye view of the islands and waters that compose Hong Kong. The territory/province has a population of 7.1 million with 98% Chinese and the remaining 2% of foreigners from many countries...a true melting pot.

As one would imagine, land here is very expensive and the cost of living is extremely high. Nevertheless, the area has the largest number of Rolls Royce and Mercedes per capita of anywhere in the world. In the middle class area of Happy Valley on the actual island of Hong Kong, a 600 square foot apartment would rent for a least $2000 and, unless the building had over 10 stories there would be on elevator! Another fact, 65% of the water consumed/used in the area (Kowloon peninsula, Hong Kong island and the New Territories) has to be imported from China and almost all the food as there is little room to grow much food.

People and vehicles freely travel from the Kowloon and Hong Kong through several tunnels and the Star Ferry. Also a ferry goes to the island of Macao that was returned by Portuguese to China in 1999. Victoria Harbor is always bustling as you'd think it would be...after all it is the third busiest harbor in the world. Our guide repeatedly made the point that the Chinese government has kept its promise to Hong Kong and has basically left it alone since it was turned over from the British (the lease was up!) in 1997.  He maintains that Hong Kong will change China rather than China changing Hong Kong.

View from Victoria Peak

Paul at the top

Cantonese and English are the official languages spoken in Hong Kong but with considerable international business conducted in the city and all the foreign tourists, it is a cacophony as you wander about the city-akin to the Tower of Babel!

As part of our half -day city tour, we not only visited the peak and wondered at the view of the myriad buildings and the numerous ships on the water below us but we continued around the island to Resolve Bay that was very picturesque. The South China Sea shimmered in its emerald glory and it was easy to imagine living in such a paradise but only if one's company paid for it.

Resolve Bay

The touted Stanley Market proved to be a bit of a disappointment with the prices set and the merchants uninterested in selling their wares as was the Aberdeen Floating Fishing Village. The going rate for being "ferried around" the village to look at trashy, rusted fishing boats was $7.50 per person and it was most definitely " MA MA HOO HOO". That means pretty bad in Chinese.

Scenes from Aberdeen

Of course the day wouldn't have been complete without a visit to a factory where we were "treated" to a demonstration of some skill...this time jewelry making...and then allowed to purchase the wares. The spiel was about 8 minutes and the shopping time 45. This tactic is getting old but today must be the last as we leave tomorrow. At least, the jewelry was attractive and the prices good. Several of our group left happy...ah, that would be the wives who were smiling.

Waiting for the bus at the Stanley Market

A return to the hotel around 1:30 left us plenty of time to try the subway system. Paul and I wanted to experience the "Ladies Market" which is the street market used by the locals and were told it was only three subway stops from the hotel. That was true IF you start from the correct subway station. I managed to get us to the east version rather than the west version of the station and we spent considerable time navigating the peninsula before arriving at the correct destination. The market was, indeed, crowded with locals and lots of haggling ensued. Try as we may, we couldn't find the tee shirts I wanted nor the cloth shoes but did find silver charms, toys for the children and a leather purse (not even a knock off designer). We actually managed to purchase the senior tickets for the trip back ($3 HK) and get home in three stops. Now that is success with a capital S in my mind.
Note: HK rate is 7.70 to $1 US

Only other shopping necessity...finding Hong Kong Starbucks cups and it took going to three Starbucks to find them. Who would have thought the mugs and the teeshirts would prove so elusive? And the price for the mugs was akin to US prices at $15 each.

Lunch spot at Stanley Market

Hong Kong Polo Club

After wandering in the local shops, checking out snack shops and "supermarkets" Hong Kong style, we had a delicious dinner at the Thai restaurant across the park from the hotel. Then we capped the evening with an after dinner drink with Ted and Judy in the hotel bar accompanied by  live music and the antics of visiting rich Russians who very probably were doing a drug deal.

  Oh, except for the water dripping from the ceiling in the bathroom and the late night visit from housekeeping, an uneventful evening!  So much for an early bedtime.

Thus, tomorrow the China sojourn ends.