Here we are in Hong Kong. We were pleased we had so little jet lag. Above are some pictures of all described. We arrived in Hong Kong May 6th, 2007 @ 6pm. Off from Kowloon to the Royal Pacific Hotel in Hong Kong. Little itty bitty room with a rock solid bed. There were 2 floors below ground level with the lower being where the locals ate and the other having a great coffee bar with internet access. In the coffee shop it was peaceful....but looking out into the streets of Hong Kong one couldn't help but feel the buzz. Everyone has cell phones and Ipods.
The first morning we were there we went on the Hong Kong Island Tour tour and saw places by bus including the Man-Mon Temple (http://www.edwebproject.org/hongkong04/manmo.html) which was built in 1847. The Man-Mo Temple is one of Hong Kong's oldest and most atmospheric temples. Man means literature and Mo means the art of war, hence as with all other Man-Mo Temples, this one is dedicated to two of the most worshipped gods in ancient China: the God of Literature, Man-Cheung, and the God of War, Kuan-Yu. Inside the temple, there are many figures depicting other Chinese gods. The one I like the most is Bao-Gong, the God of Justice who has his face painted black. Many years ago, the Man-Mo Temple was the local Court of Law; people came there to solve their dispute instead of taking their cases to the authorities. With huge bell-shaped coils of burning incense hanging from the ceiling, the temple is always enveloped in smoke and scent. Beside the entrance sits 19th century wooden sedan chairs that were used to transport the statues through the streets of Hong Kong during religious festivals. We were a bit wacky from all of the incense burning.
We also went up Victoria Peak Tram (http://www.destination360.com/asia/china/victoria-peak.php) and looked out over Hong Kong. Very beautiful...but as always very hazy. At the top, there is a little shopping mall with a Hagan Daaz Ice Cream store...absolutely terrific Green Tea Ice Cream.
Our bus then took us past Repulse Bay - the place where the locals go for a dip in the ocean.
The first morning we were there we went on the Hong Kong Island Tour tour and saw places by bus including the Man-Mon Temple (http://www.edwebproject.org/hongkong04/manmo.html) which was built in 1847. The Man-Mo Temple is one of Hong Kong's oldest and most atmospheric temples. Man means literature and Mo means the art of war, hence as with all other Man-Mo Temples, this one is dedicated to two of the most worshipped gods in ancient China: the God of Literature, Man-Cheung, and the God of War, Kuan-Yu. Inside the temple, there are many figures depicting other Chinese gods. The one I like the most is Bao-Gong, the God of Justice who has his face painted black. Many years ago, the Man-Mo Temple was the local Court of Law; people came there to solve their dispute instead of taking their cases to the authorities. With huge bell-shaped coils of burning incense hanging from the ceiling, the temple is always enveloped in smoke and scent. Beside the entrance sits 19th century wooden sedan chairs that were used to transport the statues through the streets of Hong Kong during religious festivals. We were a bit wacky from all of the incense burning.
We also went up Victoria Peak Tram (http://www.destination360.com/asia/china/victoria-peak.php) and looked out over Hong Kong. Very beautiful...but as always very hazy. At the top, there is a little shopping mall with a Hagan Daaz Ice Cream store...absolutely terrific Green Tea Ice Cream.
Our bus then took us past Repulse Bay - the place where the locals go for a dip in the ocean.
We also saw Aberdeen Fishing Village which was a beit disappointing. (http://www.marimari.com/cOnTENT/categories/editorial/archives/abeerden.html). I was looking forward to something more scenic...but in actuality it smelled of petrol and was very dirty. I was expecting more something like a scene from a movie...but regretably there was lots of trash and filth in the water.
We then went to Stanley Market. It was like Nogales a la China. Lots of great deals...clothes for 1-2 dollars a piece. Because of the weight limit between Hong Kong and other provinces we went skimpy on shopping.
The 2nd half of the day George and I managed the Hong Kong railway...a breeze...easy and clean. We went to Tian Tan Buddha (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian_Tan_Buddha). Up on a lift to the Buddha. Absolutely breathtaking and one of my favorite things we saw. I was anxious as the time was drawing near to meet our Maddie and rather emotional...but the one place I felt some tranquility was by this beautiful Buddha. There was a pretty little village to walk through to get to the Buddha as well as a monastery at the base. We enjoyed roasted pork for lunch and prepared for quite a hike up the stairs to the Buddha. These stairs rivaled Chichen Itza by far!! It was a good work-out in preparation for The Great Wall!!
The next day we enjoyed a walk through Hong Kong. George bought some shirts and then we spent the morning in Kowloon Park right across from our hotel. At the entrance was a kiask with the Olympic Countdown and the Beijing Babies. There were a group of children there from school. With all the sites and sounds my head was wondering which of these beautiful children would Maddie grow up to look like. They were friendly and giggly...most trying to make small conversation. All understood the work "adoption". Also in the park were people strolling, dancing, practicing Tai Chi and relaxing. The Banyon Trees were plentiful...caping over the terraced walkways. Quite a few waterfalls and ponds as well. The park also had caged exotic birds.
Our flight to Guilin left on May 8 @ 710pm. We took the railway to the airport...easiest check in we've ever had. Phoenix should model the light rail on this one!
Enjoy the pics...
We then went to Stanley Market. It was like Nogales a la China. Lots of great deals...clothes for 1-2 dollars a piece. Because of the weight limit between Hong Kong and other provinces we went skimpy on shopping.
The 2nd half of the day George and I managed the Hong Kong railway...a breeze...easy and clean. We went to Tian Tan Buddha (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian_Tan_Buddha). Up on a lift to the Buddha. Absolutely breathtaking and one of my favorite things we saw. I was anxious as the time was drawing near to meet our Maddie and rather emotional...but the one place I felt some tranquility was by this beautiful Buddha. There was a pretty little village to walk through to get to the Buddha as well as a monastery at the base. We enjoyed roasted pork for lunch and prepared for quite a hike up the stairs to the Buddha. These stairs rivaled Chichen Itza by far!! It was a good work-out in preparation for The Great Wall!!
The next day we enjoyed a walk through Hong Kong. George bought some shirts and then we spent the morning in Kowloon Park right across from our hotel. At the entrance was a kiask with the Olympic Countdown and the Beijing Babies. There were a group of children there from school. With all the sites and sounds my head was wondering which of these beautiful children would Maddie grow up to look like. They were friendly and giggly...most trying to make small conversation. All understood the work "adoption". Also in the park were people strolling, dancing, practicing Tai Chi and relaxing. The Banyon Trees were plentiful...caping over the terraced walkways. Quite a few waterfalls and ponds as well. The park also had caged exotic birds.
Our flight to Guilin left on May 8 @ 710pm. We took the railway to the airport...easiest check in we've ever had. Phoenix should model the light rail on this one!
Enjoy the pics...
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