Sunday was a day of facts and our last full day in Hong Kong. We toured the city with an interesting group of people from Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, India and London. Our tour guide was a Cantonese woman who was not only full of facts about Hong Kong but highly entertaining.
Fact: Chinese people in Hong Kong speak more Cantonese than Mandarin.
The morning started with a cruise around the harbor gazing at the myriad apartment and commercial buildings and dodging other boats large and small in one of the busiest harbors in the world.
Fact: a building now under construction in Hong Kong will be one of the tallest in the world with 88 floors.
In Hong Kong new exists right along side the old. In the afternoon, we rode in a sampan through a village of fishermen to experience the “water-life style” up close and personal. The colorful but weather-beaten boats appeared barely able to stay afloat much less provide a living for a village. However, we were assured that Aberdeen Fishing Village was home to the largest clan of fishermen in Hong Kong and well able to pay their “lease fees” to their landlord.
From the water view to a bird’s eye view - we gazed at Hong Kong harbor from Victoria Peak, 1,805 feet above sea level. Darin was disappointed that we were hauled up to the top via bus and not on the Peak Tram. I, on the other hand, believe that 1880 machinery cannot be trusted and was perfectly happy to ride to the top in an air-conditioned bus.
Fact: The funicular railway (tram) opened in 1888 and is the world’s steepest.
Hong Kong is not just about water but is a serious shopping mecca for the rich and famous. Our group, being neither rich nor famous, ended a long day of sightseeing at Stanley Market, a popular open-air market which attracts bargain shoppers from all over the world.
Fact: Stanley Market is a former British military garrison.
Old British buildings are being repurposed and new buildings are going up everywhere there is a bit of precious space to accommodate a growing population. Hong Kong, unlike mainland China, does not have a one child per family limitation.
Fact: When you die you lease burial space in the cemetery for 10 years. After 10 years, your bones are dug up so someone else can be buried in the space. The bones are cleaned by a professional bone cleaner and given to the family.
On to Singapore….
2 comments:
All the pictures have been terrific. Sounds like both of you are having a wonderful time. Love the journaling, too.
Thinking of you.
elaine
Looks like you are living your dream. I don't have anyone to give my bones to but Dan.
We just watched the Grand prix Formula One race from Singapore on Sunday am, Sunday pm your time. It was the first night race for Formula One. The ferris wheel is beautiful at night ad is supposed to be the biggest in the world.
Have fun.
The blogg is great.
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