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Mal Beaton
Had a really good nights sleep so got up ready to play tourist. I have generally found when in a new place to get your bearings, have a quick guided tour and to see where you want to explore more, book the red bus (big bus ) tours. There are three routes in HK, Hong Kong City, Kowloon and Repulse Bay/Stanley. We did the HK City first. It is mostly pointing out the big shopping and entertainment areas. I am still amazed how they cramp so many people into such a small area and it is very clean. We then caught the ferry across to Kowloon and continued on the blue route. The waiting area for the bus was right next door to the Hotel Peninsula, a very classy hotel. The hotel limo's are all Rolls Royces. I don't think I will be staying there soon. I have mentioned before but I am amazed at the amount of Teslas here. Mind you a perfect location for them as you don't drive far. The Kowloon tour was ok (more shops) but I wouldn't be in a rush to go back there. A quick ferry ride back across the harbour and on to the Green route to Repulse Bay and Stanley. The drive to Repulse Bay was around the edge of very steep hills. It's amazing how they have used every bit of available space and thrown up high rise accomodation. Apparently HK is the most densely packed and Repulse Bay/Stanley is the most expensive. We had a late lunch and a few beers at the Waterfront at Stanley then boarded the bus back. The driver of this bus must have thought he was in the Hong Kong Rally championships. Quite disconcerting flying around corners in a bus but when you look down the bus is only a foot or so from the edge of the road, there is a small concrete wall then a hundred + foot drop. Not fun, probably the worst driving I have ever seen on a red bus tour. Maybe he was late for knock off or happy hour. Back at the drop off point we walked back to the hotel, passing the old HMS Tamar (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chines e_People%27s_Liberation_Army_Forces_Hon g_Kong_Building) which is now a PLA Base. Apparently any soldier posted to this base is confined to base for the duration of their posting and are not allowed into Hong Kong. That would really suck. Dropped unwanted gear back to the hotel and headed down to the Sogo Shopping centre at Causeway Bay. I had a few Carlsbergs while Karen shopped away, All day I have been carrying the day pack with Bino's, water (2litres), battery packs for phones, reading glasses, iPad, jacket for Karen and various other **** along the way. Total distance walked with this pack was 21klm and 21 stories climbed. Knackered and time for a sleep
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