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Monday & Tuesday
Our dinner last night was very nice, although we were the only Europeans in the restaurant and everyone else seemed to know what they were ordering except us. We did end up with some funny choices, but it was very nice. The thing was about the restaurant – we froze!!! Hot as hell outside and the aircon inside so cold everyone was wearing jackets. We didn’t bring one of course, although I had joking suggested to Paul that we might need them, ha ha.
Monday morning no plans and had a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. We then went out into the baking streets and walked around the shops for a while, then found the Kowloon park. A very special place, with lots of water, birdlife, exotic plans etc. including an aviary. We were sitting in the shade watching the birds when a small Chinese boy shyly approached with his family and asked if he could speak to us. It turned out that he wanted to practice his English and with the help of his older cousin we had a lovely 15 minutes of ‘chatting’. They were a delightful family and of course we had to have the obligatory photos, so now we have a photo of our new ‘chinese family’. The little boy (English name Raymond) told us that he thought we were very nice and please come back again. We found ourselves eventually in a large airconditioned mall, so decided to stay there for lunch and a beer. It turned out to be a Thai restaurant, so we have had all sorts.
We went back to our room and freshened up and then off to the ferry across to Hong Kong island, then to the ferry to Discovery Bay to meet up with Lizzie and Huki. We had no trouble getting there and arrived right on time at 4 pm. Met up with them and the two children and sat for a while in a nice cool place overlooking the beach with a cool drink and a catch up. Then off to a nearby restaurant where we settled at a table on the terrace, again overlooking the beach. Discovery Bay is like a huge resort complex where no cars are allowed, only golf carts and public transport. Thousands of people live there and a lot commute across to HK each day, including Huki. He used to teach on the island, but now has a post on HK at a French international school.
They seem to be very happy there and have a lot of friends. Mostly expats as far as I can see, and it really seemed as though we were in Raro with everyone stopping by the table to say hello, big kisses etc. Liz and Huki’s maid arrived at 6 pm to pick the children up (the kids are lovely – cute as can be) and then we sat for ages just catching up. It was very pleasant. We caught the 9 pm ferry back and were back at the hotel before 10 pm. Travelling on the harbour by ferry is like having a harbour cruise, the lights are amazing and the sheer number of boats is incredible. Everything from a traditional junk to an American aircraft carrier and hundreds of container ships.
We have been exceptionally lucky with the weather. Although it is extremely hot, it has been very clear with great visibility. So today (Tuesday) our last day in HK, we decided to go back out on the harbour and go to the island of Cheong Chau about 45 minutes away by the slow ferry (going) or 30 minutes by the fast ferry. After packing our bags and checking out, we caught the ferry over to HK (free for senior citizens – probably already told you that), then the ferry to Cheong Chau.
The island is very much a Chinese community with very few tourists (only the hardy). Right along the water front are many restaurants and shops – actually that is too grand a description – more like hole in the wall eateries and stalls. Anyway, there was a narrow road along the waterfront which was teeming with bicycles, mini tractors with tiny trailers on the back full of rubble (both going and coming so not sure what was happening to it all), trishaws, etc. We found a table at the most respectable eatery and sat down for a well deserved beer. We were right on the waterfront, but the view was less than salubrious with hundreds of fishing boats, boat houses, rafts etc. all tied together and all discharging goodness knows what into the water. That aside, we actually had a really nice lunch – stir fried vegetables, beef with ginger, and a pork and sweetcorn rice dish (not so nice). So far so good and no upset tummies.
We got back to the hotel about 4 pm, rescued our luggage and went and had a lovely shower up in the sports complex. Changed for the flight and the cold back in NZ and are now sitting at the airport catching our breath. Time to move on to the departure lounge – a 20 min walk away and about as far as you can go in the terminal.
Signing out for the last time.
- comments
claire well done - such an interesting journey/dventure you hve had - tried typing in a comment yesterday - but box kept coming up on top of Jan's comment - so I wasn't successful - sunny here in Ham - but cold - love C