Today was a much-needed sleep-in day (except for me). Our plans were to meet at the Ramada Inn in Kowloon to catch a bus for Hong Kong Island at 12:50 pm. We went our separate ways this morning. We had a leisurely breakfast, then walked up to the hotel to see where it was. We then went off to find the jade market. After much meandering through the streets, we did find it and I ended up buying a couple small pieces of jade jewellery - half price - or so they lead you to believe. We then wandered through a bit of Kowloon Park. That's where these flamingos were.
Dan & Joanne also took their time this morning and had brunch at the Ramada before we left.
So off we went with Able & Promotion Tours for a tour of Hong Kong Island. I have to say...I thought Toronto was bad for traffic. This is a Saturday in Hong Kong. Can you say "Parking Lot"?
Our tour guide's name was Virginia, who was quite a character. She told us a few humorous stories to bide our time along the way. We had a group of 11 people on the small bus, made up of us Canadians, some Americans, and New Zealanders.
Our first stop was Victoria Peak which is one of the big hills we could see behind downtown Hong Kong. From the peak, we can look over the harbour, Hong Kong, and Kowloon. Unfortunately it was quite hazy. We thought it was going to rain, but it never did. It was a beautiful drive up to the peak.
After we left Victoria Peak, we went down to the village of Aberdeen. Here is where we got on a sampan (flat-bottomed boat) and toured around the inner harbour for half an hour.
We drive by million dollar yachts, then out to where the real world lives. It was quite an eye-opener. Some of these people live on these boats in the harbour. Some much worse than others.
By the way, if you ever go to Hong Kong, you will see reviews about the "Jumbo" restaurant, which is a floating restaurant here. We didn't eat there, but you will see reviews ranging from good to bad regarding the food. So here's a picture of the front of the restaurant. Looks pretty appealing, eh?
Dan & Joanne also took their time this morning and had brunch at the Ramada before we left.
So off we went with Able & Promotion Tours for a tour of Hong Kong Island. I have to say...I thought Toronto was bad for traffic. This is a Saturday in Hong Kong. Can you say "Parking Lot"?
Our tour guide's name was Virginia, who was quite a character. She told us a few humorous stories to bide our time along the way. We had a group of 11 people on the small bus, made up of us Canadians, some Americans, and New Zealanders.
Our first stop was Victoria Peak which is one of the big hills we could see behind downtown Hong Kong. From the peak, we can look over the harbour, Hong Kong, and Kowloon. Unfortunately it was quite hazy. We thought it was going to rain, but it never did. It was a beautiful drive up to the peak.
After we left Victoria Peak, we went down to the village of Aberdeen. Here is where we got on a sampan (flat-bottomed boat) and toured around the inner harbour for half an hour.
We drive by million dollar yachts, then out to where the real world lives. It was quite an eye-opener. Some of these people live on these boats in the harbour. Some much worse than others.
By the way, if you ever go to Hong Kong, you will see reviews about the "Jumbo" restaurant, which is a floating restaurant here. We didn't eat there, but you will see reviews ranging from good to bad regarding the food. So here's a picture of the front of the restaurant. Looks pretty appealing, eh?
Well, before you get to like it too much, check out the back of the same restaurant...where the kitchens are!
As I said...a very interesting little tour. Our next stop was a jewellery company, where they make jewellery pieces. Not very impressed with throwing this in to the tour as they tried to sell us jewellery. Way too long at that place.
We then went on to the Stanley Market which is famous for the hundreds of little stalls selling everything from art work to clothes. Cute little place. Perhaps if it was earlier on in our tour we might have been more enthusiastic.
This was our first sight of the South China Sea at the back of the Stanley Market.
And this is a banyan tree. They grow on the outside of concrete or rocks. We walked right by this tree, so took a picture.
There was this more elderly woman on our tour who was by herself and who did not show up at the designated pick-up place on time. In fact, we found her half an hour later. Let me say we were about ready to throttle the woman. We were tired, had no place to sit down, and just wanted to get back to our respective hotels. It took us over an hour to get back from Stanley Market to our hotel. We were so whipped we just decided to eat at the Bostonian in our hotel before retiring for the night.
By the way, a little tidbit of information for you. I have to point out that the scaffolding used in Hong Kong is quite different from home. It's made of bamboo! How do you like that, all you builders out there?
Tomorrow we head off to Singapore.
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