Hong Kong

Hong Kong was a marvelous mix of Western and Eastern life. We sailed into the harbor and when we docked the view from our balcony was of the entire Kong Kong side of the harbor and IT WAS STUNNING!

We met our guide Wylan and headed off to see the sights. First we rode up to the top of Victoria’s Peak and had an amazing view of the city. We visited the dried food market and saw baskets of dried shark fins and abalone. Both are considered delicacies in the Hong Kong diet. Wylan kept telling us how to cook it. We also saw dried bird’s nests for a variety of other dishes he said would be tasty. Abalone is so very expensive we thought we might start an export bsiness when we return home.

Went to Aberdeen and rode on a sampan around the floating village where boat people have made their homes. There were boats of all sizes and all degree of nice….but nothing was very nice.

Our lunch was at a beautiful restaurant at the Repulse Bay Hotel overlooking the beautiful bay. Wylan asked what we liked to eat and he carefully ordered and explained it all. We had wonderful dim sum dumplings filled with vegetables, with shrimp, and pork. Had some great small cabbage cooked with garlic. Ended the meal with a sweet cool soup made from mango and grapefruit.

We visited a Buddhist Temple which was so filled with incense because the ceiling was covered with coils of incense that all were burning plus the people all had big bunches of incense too. We also visited a Taoist Temple which seemed very much the same although Wylan tried to explain why he and his family go regularly to the Buddhist temple but for special occasions go to the Taoist Temple. Guess it is keeping all the bases covered.

Visited the Jade Market and saw more Jade than you would believe, but didn’t buy anything because we both felt we didn’t know enough to tell the quality.

Returned and reboarded the ship with great ease. We sat on the balcony and watched the incredible light and laser show develop. The scene lived up to all our expectations. Wylan talked frankly about the changes made since 1998 when the Chinese took over from the British. He felt it had not been too difficult or too bad for most people. Really an interesting place to visit.