Highlights of Hong Kong

April 12, 2000. Upon arrival by hydrofoil from Guangzhou, we checked into our hotel, New World Renaissance, on the Kowloon Peninsula  directly across from Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong remains an enigma and a curious anomaly for mainland China as well as the rest of the world. Although on July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was handed back to China it remains one of the most capitalist driven cities in the world. Hong Kong grew from its trade in drugs, opium. Britain took possession of Kowloon in 1860 and then operated under a 99 yr. lease for the Peninsula, New Territory including Hong Kong Island until '97.  


We ferried across Victoria Harbor on the famous Star Ferry and started exploration of Hong Kong Island. The north part of the island is a packed urban landscape while the central part of the island is mountainous and protected as a park. 

 
We explored the dense urban jungle by walking around the Central district, explored the small pedestrian streets (Li Yuen Street East and West) and then took in the skyscrapers in the area of Hong Kong Park: the Bank of China and Lippo Center (twin towers). Dinner was in the Central district at Indochine 1929 which had great Vietnamese food. We night capped at the old grand hotel, Peninsula, on Kowloon. Very brit and stuffy. 

April 13. Cloudy with chance of rain.  We slept in and then grabbed a ferry to Hong Kong. As we made our way to the tram station we discovered the Hillside Escalator Link which is a 800 m moving walkway.  We had great views as we moved upward.  We took the Peak Tram to the top of Victoria Peak. Besides enjoying the wonderful views both looking north and south over the island, the coffee house in the tram building was a real treat.  Not only did we get a great latte but the internet lines were set up so we could check email and send notes to the family. 

After walking around the top of Mt. Austin Road, we rode down as the weather finally changed to pouring rain.  Next we caught a bus to the Wanchi distrist, west of the central area where we lunched on Sichuan at the Red Pepper.  We then walked back through the crowded shopping district, markets and along the waterfront until we reaching the ferry terminal.  Our last night in China was spent in the hotel preparing for our departure the next day. 

April 14. Our departure was from the new airport, Chek Lap Kok, west of Kowloon. This airport is a considerable distance from the central Kowloon district. On the way to the airport I was reminded of the heart stopping landings and departures which took place at the former airport, Kai Tak,  requiring the planes to cruise so close to the Hong Kong skyline that it seemed liked the wings of planes would clip the buildings. 

We did not allow enough time in Hong Kong. Macau and the rest of the New Territories will have to wait until our return. Non-stop and we are on our way back to California after a six week adventure.