Hong Kong

A colleague at work told me that we would love Hong Kong that it was like Singapore on steroids. So I really wasn't sure that it was going to suit this kiwi boy from the bush. Actually we had a fantastic time in Hong Kong, there was plenty to be excited about and like so many of our trips really not enough time to fit it all in. We will have to go back there again. It is not all big city and bright lights. But as you can see from the photo, the laser light show down at the harbour is impressive on a clear night.

Same city, same harbour, but different night. The smog was thick most of the time we were in Hong Kong. This particular evening it was as bad as we had seen it. It did make an interesting effect for the sunset. This photo is taken from the same area as the laser show shot, but on our last evening in Hong Kong. We were on our way to meet up with old friends from training college days Lester and Karen. It was great to have the catch up and dinner with these long time friends, something like 20 years and so many kms from the last time.

We were up on Victoria Peak that same day and this was the view. It was like looking down on legoland cloaked in grey. We enjoyed our walk around the the peak, there was so much to see. More on the nature later.

We played tourists and took the mid level escalator to Holywood road. We enjoyed the various curiosity and antique shops of the area. Lots of interesting places to explore. It never ceases to amaze me how in the heart of these Asian cities there are so many small stalls and market places where people make hteir living.

During our first day out we guided by our host, Lynda, through some of more interesting parts of Kowloon. She took us to places that were further away from where many of the tourists go. Once again so much to see and Lynda also got me to try a range of interesting foods. The most interesting of the day being chicken feet at breakfast and a snake soup snack.

We wandered through the Bird Garden. This was an area set aside for the uncles to meet with their caged birds. Of course out of this a whole market in birds has evolved. We found it interesting to see such a variety of birds on sale there. Actually it took an awful amount of self control not to open the cages and free some of these beautiful birds. Some were out and enjoying being the centre of attention, such as these birds.

Gold fish Street, was another area I was keen to see. The whole street is filled with shops selling fish. Out on the sidewalk are displays of fish in plastic bags waiting to be sold and taken to their new aquarium. In the shops were multitudes of exotic fish, with many colourful tropical fish. Also anything you may want for your aquarium to help make it more interesting. But when you go upstairs some of the shops have interesting things like reptiles, beetles and I believe even spiders for sale.

Probably the highlight of our wander was the walk along the Flower street. The colours and variety of blooms was unbelievable. Shop after shop offering an amazing array of flowers and plants. The shops with orchids, had such a variety with some stunning displays. Some of the plants were not for sale but for display only, I guess these people are passionate about what they do. I think Ruth blends well and compliments with these blooms!

But wait there is so much more to Hong Kong