Hong Kong

Did a day trip to Hong Kong, which while part of China, has a complicated relationship with China. For example, you must pass through immigration and customs in both directions.

Geoff gives an account of all our modes of transportation. One of the most exciting was a tramway that took us to top of Victoria Peak, which gave us a stunning view of Hong Kong. We spent a lot of time there, looking out onto the city. The tram itself was an exciting ride. It goes up and down a very steep mountain, and at a few points is at an angle of 26 degrees. It’s only about a 5 minute ride, but a very exciting one. At one point, we passed an apartment whose window faced the tram – that must make for interesting people watching for the apartment owner.

It is an island with towering skyscrapers densely packed together.

The feel is a lively city, filled with people. It is much more culturally diverse than Shenzen, reflecting its history with the Brits, and as a trading center. The Central area, where we were, is filled with well known shops of high end goods, like Armani, as well as H&M and Marks and Spenser. The place is dense with high rises. But you can go down narrow cross streets, and there are street vendors selling from stalls, too.

It is so busy at ground level that there are elevated walks above the street level. Here the walking is less congested, although there were large groups of woman gathered on them They seemed to be picnicking and socializing. Not sure what this was, but would like to know.

We also took a series of escalators up the side of the hill to get to the tram line. Hong Kong has may accommodations for the sheer volume of people who live there.

On the Double Decker bus, looking at one of the walkways.

Late in the afternoon, we made our way back to the harbor, and a ferry terminal, and ate supper watching the sunset. The Hong Kong skyline is famous for the lighting of the buildings, and we watched the lights come on. After dark, we took a ferry across the harbor to Kowloon, which was amazing. There were massive buildings in all directions, many beautifully lit. Photos really can’t do it justice – it’s definitely a 360 degree experience.

Would love to go back and explore Hong Kong further.