Wednesday, March 4, and Thursday,
March 5, 2015
We sailed through the South China
Sea for 3 days heading for Hong Kong.
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean,
encompassing an area from Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of
Taiwan. The area's importance largely
results from one-third of the world's shipping transiting through its waters,
and that it is believed to hold huge oil and gas reserves beneath its seabed.
Hong Kong is well known for its
skyline of skyscrapers, deep natural harbor and population density around the
world. The city has developed into a
major global trade hub and financial center and is regarded as a major world
city. It has one of the highest per
capita incomes in the world. Hong Kong
is the third most important financial center after New York and London.
Hong Kong currently has more
skyscrapers than any other country. It
houses more than 8000 skyscrapers with more than 14 floors, which is almost
double in comparison to that of New York.
Quaint double decker trams are still
maneuvering around Hong Kong Island with over a quarter million passengers
daily. These trams offer an
old-fashioned transportation tradition in a cosmopolitan center. We took an interesting ride on a vintage tram
around HK Island during the evening to see the brilliantly colored neon signs
and traditional Chinese motif's and illuminations.
Following the tram ride was some fun retail
therapy at the Temple Street Night Market followed by an 8-course Chinese
traditional dinner. Our day had already
started with some shopping at the absolutely amazing stores and malls found on
Nathan Road, Hong Kong's "Golden Mile" of shops.
Day 2 dawned just as dreary and
rainy as day 1 had been. On this day we
were invited to see the sights of a local neighborhood located in Kowloon City. Along with our friends, Paul and Sarah Su,
Sergio and Noemi Peschard, we boarded local bus #1 for about 75 cents per
person for our trip. Paul and Sarah
walked us through the neighborhood showing us homes, local stores, malls, the
"wet" market, a temple, Kowloon Walled City Park (dating from the
15th century), and the best part, almost, a snack at a local bakery where
everything comes out hot and fresh.
However, the absolute BEST was our
delectable brunch assortment of dishes and variety of tea, all hosted by Paul
and Sarah. We ate until we could hardly
walk. Thank you Paul and Sarah!
Heading out to buy some tea in a
local store, Curt stumbled on a 10 minute haircut (booth) located in a kiosk in
the center of the mall. After Curt,
being the guinea pig and surviving, Sergio and Noemi also had their hair
cut! Shortly after, Curt and I boarded
the bus back to the ship to prepare for departure and to say good bye to Hong
Kong.
HK offers a vast variety of things
to do such as riding the funicular to Victoria Peak, taking a Harbor Cruise,
shopping Stanley Market, visiting Lantau Island and Po Lin Monastery, travel to
Macau to maybe gamble, and best of all just shop and eat.
Departure is scheduled for 6PM, out
of the Harbor, and south-west through the South China Sea for our next port of
call, Phu My, Vietnam, the docking area for Ho Chi Minh ((Saigon).
