Hong Kong

From the South China Sea, the ship reached the Hong Kong Traffic Separation Scheme then transited Tahlong Channel. We then had a local Hong Kong pilot safely guide us into Hong Kong Harbor. There we berthed at the ultra modern Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Our arrival was early in the morning and it was 7:00 a.m. when passengers were cleared by customs and allowed disembarkation to begin their day.

 

Hong Kong...what a place! Our full day on shore involved seeking and finding on our own and no tours planned. As we left the ship and walked through the cruise terminal (which just opened in June 2013), we couldn't help but be impressed by the sleek design and new surroundings. Also, at that time (and still as of this writing), an Ebola scare was occurring. Ebola is a deadly disease that was making its way from Africa and into other countries. Precautions were strict and included health checks at borders, specifically looking for travelers running fevers and any recent travel from Africa. So, as we passed through a corridor of the terminal, everyone was asked to remove their hats. Then we walked through a body heat sensor. It was so inconspicuous, aside from the alerting signs, and did not require anyone to stop or slow while the overhead scanners quietly did their job screening for high body temperatures/fevers. High tech and efficient!!!

Before I go further, let me quickly tell you about the Kai Tak Terminal itself. It has a very interesting past. Kai Tak used to be a very dangerous airport and before the airport closed in 1998, it was regarded as one of the most difficult airports in the world for pilots to fly into and out of. The piece of land sat in the middle of Kowloon City with the runway protruding into the sea. It was the only major airport in the world that required a 45 degree turn (known by pilots as the "Hong Kong Turn") below 500 feet to line up with the runway. Pilots would look for a famous orange and white checkerboard (painted on a hillside) to make their turn then fly low and right between high rise buildings before landing. Must have been hair raising! (next two photos courtesy of internet) 

Now back to the city. As we exited the cruise terminal, we got onto a courtesy shuttle service provided by local authorities. Our destination was a drop off point known as Diamond Hill Plaza Hollywood.

  

The shuttle bus operators gave us each a courtesy coffee in a can (it actually wasn't too bad...sweetened and milky...I actually tried it) while we waited in line. Once the shuttle bus arrived, this sign was very prominent on the bus door. Maybe the canned coffee was to blame?

Oh, by the way, the currency in Honk Kong was Hong Kong Dollars with the approximate exchange rate (at that time) of $1 US to 7.75 HK Dollars. Oh...and the primary language was the Cantonese dialect with English commonly spoken. 

We got off our shuttle and walked to the MTR, Hong Kong's metro system. We were armed with maps and plenty of local currency. Plus we had the generous assistance of a very kind couple from Australia who were headed to the same place we were, and had done all this before. It was a maze of routes. We wanted the green line (Ma On Shan Line: Tai-Wai - Wu Kai Sha) to Mong Kok. At Mong Kok, we interchanged from green to red then took the red line (Tsuen Wan Line: Central - Tsuen Wan) to Central which put us on Hong Kong Island. The cost was approximately HK$13.00 per person, one way to Central from Mong Kok.

  

  

Once we reached the Central Station on Hong Kong Island, we walked to the Exchange Square Bus Terminus and hopped onto Bus #6 (a double decker bus) and began our journey to Stanley Market in the quaint village of Stanley located on the south side of Hong Kong Island. Stanley used to be a fishing village long before the British came to Hong Kong. It was actually the last stand for the British troops before surrendering to the Japanese during the war in 1941. The street market is one of the world's great bazaars and the place to see and buy all things Chinese.

On the upper deck of the bus, we had a great view of the city of Hong Kong on our scenic ride. Here are some tidbits about this city for my trivia buffs: there are over 8,000 skyscrapers in Hong Kong so little wonder why it is often called "Hong Kon-crete"; the word Hong Kong translates to "Fragrant Harbor" so named because of the deep water harbor that allowed successful trade into the city bringing with it the smell of various spices in its earlier days; the average life expectancy is the sixth highest in the world at 81 years old in comparison to the United States which is ranked 50th with average life expectancy 78 years old.

  

  

  

  

   

  

  

Politically, our visit to Hong Kong coincided with recent protests by the people of Hong Kong that involved demands for democracy and greater say in voting on future leaders. Hong Kong had been a British Crown Colony since 1841. On July 1, 1997, the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to China took place based on a 99 year lease. Protests had dwindled from thousands to scattered few camped on the streets.

I thought that digital sign on the right side of the road was interesting. It kept track of road casualties from prior year compared to current year that involved drunk driving. Very clever way it created awareness in motorists and strived to keep the numbers down. 

Once out of the city limits, we traveled past Repulse Bay, a mecca for locals and visitors because of its clean beaches, modern facilities, hipster coffee shops and luxurious residential buildings.

  

Construction existed in this constant environment but there was something different - instead of using steel scaffolding, they used bamboo. It was safe, strong and reusable, not to mention environmentally friendly.

We arrived at the Stanley Village bus depot...

...then headed straight for the market down the street about an 8 minute walk from the bus stop. It was a sea of canopies in all colors over an array of open air stalls and vendors selling everything from A-Z. The market was busy and interesting and it was fun just wondering down the narrow alleyways looking at the goods being sold. Souvenirs were sold ranging from clothing and silks to toys, luggage, furniture, paintings and Chinese arts and crafts. And yes, you are expected to haggle on prices. 

  

Currently, there are approximately 150 shops that comprise the market.

  

I bought a turquoise blue "Kipling" backpack (nice fake) for approximately $15 US, a cute plastic luggage tag displaying a girl in a Kimono and parasol for $2 US and an army green  cargo-style, over the shoulder, adjustable handbag with zip pockets and space galore for $18 US.

After spending time at the market, we looked for bus #6 that took us back to the city. 

Great view of Deep Bay Beach at Repulse with the walkway along the cliff side.

  

Cemeteries have always intrigued me in an aesthetic, historic and spiritual way. This one "spoke to me" as we passed by in our bus so I had to shutter a photo. St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery near Central Station along Queen's Road East was beautiful to me.

This adventure took up an entire morning and afternoon.  We saw so much of Hong Kong in one day but it left so much more to see another time. Once back on Hong Kong Island, we headed to Central, retraced our steps on the subway then boarded the free shuttle back to the ship.

  

  

Our ship set sail around 6:00 p.m. and we stood out on deck and watched the famous skyline of Hong Kong slowly disappear with distance.

  

The next day would be a day at sea - check it out: "Celebration At Sea"...then on to Chan May (Da Nang), Vietnam - check it out: Asia and Australia 2014