Monday, February 3. Cloudy/foggy, cool, [actually chilly].
The ship sailed into Hong Kong harbour around 7.00 AM, we weren't sure if it was fog or smog, but there was no smell to it so maybe it is fog. Regardless, we had a leisurely breakfast and were out and about by 9.15. I forgot about the Hong Kong ship's terminal. It is like a giant 300 yard long three story upscale mall. I really mean upscale, there was nothing that we could afford in the whole damn place. The place is called 'Harbour City Luxury Brands'. There are some very rich Asians here and I think that they are the target market. It seems to be the place to go at night and browse and dream, for young and cool locals.
We are docked in Kowloon which is on the mainland, as Hong Kong is an island about a kilometre away by the inexpensive, clean, neat and orderly Star Ferries that seem to shuttle back and forth every 15 minutes or so.
We were here last April on the way home from China and have been here several times before and done just about everything that we want to do here. However it is a very interesting place to visit. Our first stop was the tailor shop that I have taken a fancy to. We stopped in there, picked out the fabrics for several shirts, including three for Craig's upcoming birthday. We texted Craig and he went to Jeanette's place and she measured him. [The internet is wonderful for that type of thing.]
After the tailor, where the man I deal with was not in yet, we headed towards Nathan Road which is known as The Golden Mile because of the jewelry, watch and luxury good stores on it. A few streets off of Nathan Road is an interesting maze of tiny shops selling everything you can possibly think of. All the vendors work from such a small cramped space it is amazing. Currency exchange booths abound and it is very interesting and one does not feel unsafe there.
We were successful in getting a few things here that we did not get in Manila on our domestic shopping list. Next was something to eat. Fellette took a fancy to a place that looked interesting and clean enough so we took a chance and in we went. It is amazing what one can do when nobody speaks a common language. The egg omelette and sweet and sour dishes that came looked enormous when they were presented to us but when we left there was not much left. The tab: $15.00.
We were operating on Hong Kong money left over from our China trip and it was beginning to run low and my feet were aching from having worn the wrong shoes so we headed back to the tailor to give him Craig's confirmed measurements. While in the tailor's shop he noticed the sports jacket that I was wearing. Last year in April I had them measure me and make a cotton casual sports jacket and mail it home. Unfortunately it was too tight across the back so I sent it back. They completely remade it for me and my original one was sitting there on a rack!
After a ten minute walk back to the ship, where we got lost in the damn mall, however soon we were back on the ship, I soaked my feet in the bathtub, looked at the pictures on the computer and had a nap. Jim and Gail left earlier today on an all day trip with their cruise agent's rep. We are supposed to go to the Night Market tonight and then do some Hong Kong browsing tomorrow. We are hoping that the Cutler's have a change of heart and want to stay in tonight. The Cutler's are also leaving the ship at 5.30 AM tomorrow morning with the Tai Chi class to go to the park and do early morning thing with the locals and then join us browsing the interesting sights of Hong Kong. You can have too much of a good thing folks!
* * *
The Cutler's returned from their day trip raring to go! We meanwhile had recovered some from our expedition and their enthusiasm is contagious so we ventured out, again! We first had a bite to eat in an upscale restaurant. After a delicious meal of pork and chicken with a touch of rice, all washed down with a cold beer [for some], we headed out into the bustling Hong Kong night. A cab ride later, for $5.00, we were situated at 'The Ladies Night Market', a street market that goes for four blocks of well lit but crowded stalls of everything you don't need. There was few minor purchases made, however. It is fun just to be there and experience it. After an hour we were ready to go home and a with a quick cab ride we were back on the ship and in the cabin. Long day, great day.
The traffic here is light and you get around quickly and efficiently by various means of non-personal vehicles, e.g., buses, cabs, ferries, etc. The tax on new cars is 110% and the licence can cost more than the car. That is why you only see very high end personal vehicles about: they are making a statement that "I have so much money the cost is of no matter to me!"
I am glad we went out again. The place at night is entirely different at night than during the day
Pics:
- Entering the docking area.
- The upscale terminal.
- My Tailor.
- Next three, along Sailsbury Road.
- Inside the famous Peninsula Hotel.
- Outside the hotel,.
- Herbal medicine.
- Bamboo scaffolding.
- Peking duck.
- Next three: Our gastronomical experience this afternoon.
- My tailor man.
- Note my tan jacket on the rack there.
- Next three: Working our way back to the ship through the cruise terminal/mall.
- Dinner for four.
- Last ones, the bustle of the street market, including rooms by the hour.
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