Hong Kong

We arrived in Hong Kong (actually Kowloon) with a fairly easy bus ride from the airport. Got to our corner and were faced with signage overload and a fear ran through me that we had been scammed and our hostel didn’t exist.

The Rocky noticed a small sign beside a door with Dragon Hostel on it. Phew!

Click here to see photos of Hong Kong. (anyone can view these)

First morning there

Rocky and I walked down Nathan Rd. to Temple Street where we visited a gorgeous old temple. There were people praying there, which involved lighting incense and moving it in a rapid praying fashion.



This guy was jamming on a cowbell in the corner while his buddy chanted along. Sorry the video is sideways! I'm just learning that I can't do that!


We made it down to the harbour where we caught the Star Ferry over to Hong Kong proper. The waters edge is lined thick with some of the tallest buildings we’ve ever seen but with the mountain behind it reminded us of Vancouver.

There was lots of money on this side. Lots of suits going for lunch at Prêt a Manger in one of the ritziest malls we’ve ever been in.

We didn’t do much on this side because it was raining and we were really cold. Packing for Thailand had not included a warm jacket.

We went for foot massages and called it a day.

Had dinner later in the night market at a sit down place on the street. Very tasty chicken with cashew nuts and noodles!

To our surprise, prices in Hong Kong are lower than in Vancouver for food, clothing, electronics, transportation, and probably more.

Things here run very efficiently. We haven’t waited longer than 2 minutes for a bus, train or boat. The people are very impatient as I fish through my coin purse at the till.

Our waitress brought the bill and stood there over me while I found the money. She had cleverly anticipated that I would be paying with a $100 HK note, and promptly whipped out the correct change. Even though the restaurant is empty, there is no time to waste!

At another restaurant I dropped my chopsticks and didn’t think anyone had noticed. About a minute later I had a new pair of chopsticks in my hand.

Everywhere the people are operating at maximum velocity. As my dad would say, the productivity of the people here--at least that we’ve seen--is very high! They make North America look like a joke.

You gotta give it to the Chinese for not being self conscious either. Belching, farting and hocking loogies are totally acceptable wherever you are!

Second morning
Happy Birthday Rocky!

We had a hankering to see Macao, China’s new acquisition from the Portuguese. Old colonial architecture, winding streets, delicious food and of course... Casinos!

This is the Vegas of China.

The official languages are Cantonese and Portuguese. Bem vindo!

Macanese (half Portuguese, half Chinese) are less than five percent but there is Portuguese signage everywhere.

Rocky had a brilliant idea to catch a free shuttle from the ferry terminal to the Wynn Casino. This got us within walking distance of the town and conveniently we arrived just in time for the show in the lobby. [video]

We went to lunch in the café and were quietly placed in the rear of the restaurant with the other whities. Only Chinese people in the front of the restaurant.

We had an out of this world delicious Macanese dish called African chicken and then I sang happy birthday to Rocky.

We got to see high society Chinese having a blast at the Casino. One table was very loud, a huge crowd of people around it, and as each card was dealt everyone yelled and slammed a hand on the table. It looked like a lot of fun.