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We arrived here late Friday evening in the middle of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The streets were packed and it took 1.5 hours to get from the airport to our hotel. This journey usually takes 35 - 40 mins. Unfortunately we did not see the firework display that took place at 8pm as it was after 9pm by the time we reached our hotel.
Hercie came with us to the airport but unfortunately because of security she could not come inside the airport building with us and we were unable to say goodbye properly to her .
Security in the Philippines is extremely tight everywhere you go, they search you and your bags going into and out of all the shopping centres.
The weather here in Hong Kong is quite cool, but fine. It is certainly a lot warmer than when we were here at the beginning of the month (we had frost then!!).
The view from our bedroom window (we are on the 20th floor) is over Kowloon Park and across to Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. The park is really lovely and is quite large. We have walked through it several times. There is an aviary and a bird lake with flamingos and black headed swans. There are some very interesting sculptures and several lakes and fountains. Yesterday morning we watched the local people dong ti chi (excuse spelling) and some others using the excerise machines. The notice there said it was for the elderly!!
Yesterday we took a 1/2 day tour over to Hong Kong Island, visiting Victoria Peak and then on to Aberdeen Fishing Village where we had a ride in a Sampan. This was quite an experience seeing how the people actually live on the water. We also saw the Jumbo Floating Restaurant. We had thought about taking another trip which includes a meal at this restaurant but have now decided against it after seeing all the chickens hanging up outside at the back of the restaurant. We then continued our trip going past Deep Water Bay and Repluse Bay before visiting Stanley Market. We also visited a jewellery factory in Aberdeen so see how it is made. There were some lovely pieces of jewellery but very expensive and we were not tempted.
We returned back to our hotel about 7pm. Whilst on the trip we made friends with another couple (Mike and Ann) from Sussex and the 4 of us decided to go out last night together for a meal. Mike and Ann had found a good place called Delaneys Irish Bar the previous evening and we set off to try and find it again. Unfortunately Mike did not manage it but we did find an Australian Bar which had exceptionally good food. Ann, Brian and I had Crocodile Dundee Steaks - no it wasn't Crocodile, it was actually fillet steak!! We had a great evening with them and are going to keep in touch. They leave today to go to Australia for 4 weeks.
Today, Sunday, we have had a lazy day - we walked down to the waterfront and looked around the Arts & Crafts Fair and along the Avenue of Stars. It is very busy as it is still the New Year and lots of people are on holiday until Monday evening.
Tomorrow we have booked another tour to Tsing Ma Bridge. This is the longest road/rail suspension bridge in the world and we will visit a viewing plate before crossing over to Lantau Island. We then visit Tai O Village to see fishing junks, wooden stilt houses along the waterfront, tiny shops, shrines and ancient temples. After that we visit Po Lin Monastery in the mountains to see the world's largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha statue and museum. At the monastry we have a Chinese vegetarian lunch and afterwards go on the Ngong Ping Skyrail. This skyrail is 5.7km long over the Lantau Island and views over the South China Sea. It sounds a good trip and lasts about 7 hours, so we are looking forward to it.
We haven't organised anything else for the rest of the week so this will probably be the last report before we return home on Friday.
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