Hong Kong, China, and we are approaching the end of the journey. But we haven’t reached the end yet. Good. I don’t want it to end.
It took a lot of paper work, and we were photographed as we exited the ship. Otherwise, I felt happily comfortable in China. In fact, I loved it there. More about the people in the next segment, but here still is the travelogue.
If you remember the photos of arrivals at previous ports, you’ll see the difference here — a very active commercial port – and colorful, too.
Our first visit on land was to the funicular that took us to Victoria Peak.
It really is local transport. We stopped at one point on the way up to pick up passengers. That led me to take a photo of the notice of posted stops. (Look up, to the right.)
The final funicular stop was not, however, the end of the trip to Victoria Peak We needed to take the escalator (or maybe I took the elevator — I guess you already know I have an aversion to escalators.)
At the top, we got to wander around for a while. Here’s what Hong Kong looked like to my camera. I’m not sure whether the haze is smog or weather haze.
Reminding us that the world really is small, our gathering spot to move on to the next phase of our journey was outside Starbucks.
There we were also reminded that the Chinese celebrate their new year long (3 weeks) and enthusiastically, as witnessed by the flower display in the square, set up there in celebration of the holiday.
OK, now here’s the question for you. Do you remember the markets from our previous stops? Well, here’s the Stanley market –our next stop. Some difference, huh?
Then we went on to Aberdeen, a section of Hong Kong. More specifically we spent time on a sampan touring the harbor. By the way, notice the British influence in so many of the place names. And take a look at the sampan (well, one like ours) on the header
I cheated a bit and googled some, helping to put some words to what I had seen.It’s a busy harbor — a floating village, really. Mentioned first was the jumbo floating restaurant, looking lie a floating palace of imperial China. One of many restaurants in the harbor, I wish I could take a trip back just to eat at this one.
And here it is as viewed from the sampan.
The 99% (Well, a manner of speaking) are in the fishing industry, and living in the harbor.
Then there are the several dozen expatriates living in their boats on the harbor.
And finally, perhaps the middle class? — a houseboat. If I had a pointer I could show you the TV up against the wall on the deck.
Another exciting, mind-broadening, heart-expanding day in Asia.
There is still more of our journey to come. Remember, you can enlarge any photo by clicking on it.
I’ll be back
monagustafsonaffinito 
I notice all the places where green/turquoise and orange are seen together.The strong orange messenger. And I adore the artistic photo of the stairs – not sure of the english name for that room
thanks for sharing!
I love your comment — the reaction of an artist. I’m especially pleased that you like the photo of the stairs.
For some reason, I am having trouble responding on your blog.. I appreciated this, both for the opportunity to see something of how other people live and to share for a moment, a fragment of what this trip seems to have meant to you . I have heard about many others. This one seems to have had an effect very different from all the others. From my remote and relatively uninforned vantage point, it seems to have brought you, with wonder and respect, to a place you have never been before. Thankfully, you remain open to all that is yet to be learned.
So glad you had the amazing experience and that you are sharing some if with us/
Thanks, Nancy.
For some reason I had to “approve” your comment, but all is well. Thanks
Love the pics!
Thanks, Sally. I love that you always respond.
Hi Mona,
Thanks for sharing your experience in HK, a place where my family and I used to live prior to our moving to this country. I went back there about 7 years ago for a very short visit last time.
I enjoyed looking at your pictures and reading your comments on them. Well, one thing that I like to point out to you is that the Floating Restaurant has been in HK for many years, it was there even when I was very young. I’m not sure if it is still under the same management. However, it is a place mostly for tourists. Food is average but over prized. I don’t think that you would want to go there for sea food!
I look forward to reading more of your traveling experience!
Love, Amy
How happy I am, Amy, to know I visited where you once lived. I wish I could have spent more time there.
Wish I could have been there to experience this with you and Doug. Great photographs. The funicular looks very British, and, of course, the name Aberdeen took me to the North Sea, and the escalators up and down like Jacob’s Ladder. The contrast between the 99% fishers and the one-percenter’s yacht tells an international story, doesn’t it! You can now tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God – you weren’t really on the sampan; you were staying on the yacht :-).