A Collection of Daily Wisdom by Dennis Sylvester Hurd since September 2003.

We had a perfect end to our stay in Hong Kong today. We ventured away from the city. As it was Saturday, we took a ferry to Lamma Island. It's the third largest island of Hong Kong and took just a half hour from the city.

There were basically just two towns. Our ferry went to Yung Shue Wan. It was a small town and picturesque. We then proceeded on hiking trails to Sok Kwu Wan. The trails were actually concrete walkways several metres wide. We passed by beaches and up small mountains.



After an hour and a half we ended in Sok Kwu Wan. Rather than the regular bars and restaurants of the previous town, it had mostly waterfront, open-air seafood restaurants. We had nice plates including fresh shrimp and clams for about $US 30. It was very relaxing. We took a ferry from this side back to town.

We spent our last evening in HK at the Galaxy at Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. What a lot of people!

Labels: Hong Kong, mountains, Q4_2006

We spent the morning out and about. We spent most of it on the Hong Kong Island side and I snapped a few photos. We took the tram to Kennedy Town and back. It only costs $HK 2. It's slow but affords a nice view of the street scene.

We got back early to the hotel room so as to have an hour-long nap. We had set up our second appointment to meet with the Ryans. During the second night in the city we followed the directions to their apartment. We had a dinner with the family.

The idea tonight was to let us take them out to dinner. We'd chosen Friday as we wanted to spend time with them and the kids too. They chose to take us to their 'boat club'.

We got to the club as it was getting dark. It was superb sitting at the water's front where we could see the famous floating Jumbo Restaurant. It felt so very expat. The kids swam and played foozball. I had a few beers. There was a great selection of food and I had an Indian Madras chicken curry. Jay ate Indonesian Nasi Goreng. Yet here's proof that Anna had noodles!

Labels: beer and wine, food, Hong Kong, Q4_2006

The trip was well worth the cost. High-speed hydrofoils ply the 65-kilometer distance. From terminal to terminal it took just an hour.

We successfully dodged the tour guides after getting through the immigration procedures. We simply walked from the terminal towards the higher buildings of downtown. Oh, and we had picked up a map.

Although, we missed the picture taking potential of the ruins of Saint Augustine's Church, we enjoyed the four or five hour stay. We didn't see much of the Portuguese influence in the lunch we ate, but that wasn't a must either. The city was slower paced than Kowloon.

There is massive construction going on. I guess the mainland has embraced the concept of casinos for this special administrative area. The Wynn group has bet heavily on the boom there. I'm not gambler though. Neither of us put any shiny coin in a slot machine today.

Labels: Hong Kong, Q4_2006

Labels: Hong Kong, Q4_2006

Went by MTR to the Star Ferry Terminal. Crossed. Walked up to the Peak Tram. Went up. Eventually, came down by tram too. Took 15C back to Star Ferry. Walked along Queen’s Street to the Evelvator. Elevated all the way to the top and walked all the way down. Got on a Causeway Tram to Times Square. MTR’d back Admirality and them Mong Kok. Walked around and ate lunch. Got back to hotel at after 4:00.

Washed. Napped. Flickred.

At a bit after 7:00 we again headed to the bay for the laser show. After we looked around and by 9:30 bought some things to eat at a bakery and ate them in the hotel room.

Labels: Hong Kong, Q4_2006

Labels: Hong Kong, Q4_2006

We're in HK. Our airplane got in at five past noon. It was a breeze getting to the Booth Lodge. Just as the email reservations said, we took the A21 bus practically to the doorstep.

We walked about quite a bit. We headed down Nathan Road towards the harbour. I've never been asked if I wanted customized tailoring as often as I was today. Strangely although the tailors are still Chinese, the guys asking (who own the shops) all seem to be Indian.

It's more humid here than in Sri Lanka. We were told to leave the a/c running in the room all the time.

More later ....

Labels: Hong Kong, Q4_2006