Hong Kong

Hong Kong

We arrived here on Saturday, 10 at 6. 30pm, about an hour later than scheduled. The reason for the late departure was due to an engine piece having to be replaced and then the video link needed to be repaired so i was just hoping there wasn't a third "thing"! Scott was at the station to meet us, which was a surprise to both of us as we were unsure he would be back in time from Vietnam where he had been filming for the last week. Phil and Scott's flat is very comfortable and within walking distance to Central HK so we are doing heaps of walking. He insisted we must begin with a real Chinese meal before we retired for the evening! Of course the population is gearing up for Chinese NY so everywhere there are mandarin trees, lanterns, floral displays and elaborate decorations. Scott thought the city was quiet as people had travelled out of the city for NY but it didn't look like it to me!!
On Sunday, the three of us wandered down through Central, exploring their market of fresh produce. However the fish were too fresh for my liking, as they have to be alive before anyone will purchase them so they are kept in these bubbling water tanks. I felt for the live frogs piled on top of one another in a glass jar as well!! Another fascinating sight was the maids who gather in any spare area in the city to meet with all the other maids in HK for their day off (always Sunday) to play cards, sing, chat, share food..... There are hundreds of them and due to the fact they are mainly from Indonesia / Phillapinnes of course they have no home to go to so this is where they spend their day off. All women!! From here we caught a tram out to Shau Kei Wan where we ate lunch and caught a cab to the beginning of our walk to Big Wave Bay at the end of the island. To return to the beach we had to come down millions of steps ( I'm pleased we didn't have to go up them!) and it was here we decided to have our dinner which we were all ready for at this stage! It was a most enjoyable day out and our tour certainly gave us an idea of the layout of HK.
On Monday we caught the ferry over to Macau, the biggest casino in operation in the world - taken over from Los Veges. Absolutely amazing. We needed our passports as we were entering China, and we were able to purchase a visa for the day. We employed a tour guide for 2 hours and saved our feet this time. He was well worth the money for our short stay. We didn't arrive back to HK until 7.30pm. S, I & I rang up for a Lebonese meal - certainly covering the nations!!
Today it is packing again, but a smaller amount of clothes this time, ready to leave for Vietnam / Cambodia this afternoon.