The laughing corner in the botanical gardens.
Come on….a girl has to give it a go…
It was a shock to the system experiencing the cooler temperatures of Hong Kong after the heat of Singapore and Bali, most refreshing though! Wrapping up and donning boots felt rather strange. It was also odd being back in a city after the jungle. Even odder was being in a hotel on the 42nd floor. I swear I felt that building sway…night after night!
There was a never ending list of interesting things to do and see…some we just stumbled across, like this…..
the Trickeye Museum What a laugh we had!
You literally become part of the picture, by standing in the set, fanbloomingtastic, not to mention very clever!
A view from the Sky Terrace, the highest point in Hong Kong.
We had to give this a whirl, it’s up there as the number one thing to do when visiting Hong Kong. You take a tram up a relentlessly steep mountain to the Peak Tower, then escalators to the Sky Terrace. Once there we got to enjoy stunning, 360 panoramic views across Hong Kong. We spent hours there, as along with the views there are lots of restaurants and shops, and it’s surprisingly cheap.
Take a look to the left of this photo, that’s how steep the mountain is! The journey up and down on a tram is reminiscent of a roller coaster ride. Talk about having your heart in your mouth! Very thrilling, I could barely uncurl my toes once we got down!
The landscape of Hong Kong surprised me, I hadn’t realised how much of a rocky outcrop the island actually is. I loved the rock formations surrounding the harbour.
A fishing boat.
Most of Hong Kong was veiled with mist while we were there. It was rather magical seeing boats suddenly materialise.
Each evening a laser show takes place, it’s fascinating watching the ever-changing skyline as the skyscrapers put on a dramatic light show. I couldn’t figure out which building to focus on! The display was set to music and strangely, was rather relaxing!
The entrance to the Bank of China.
Hong Kong has a huge population, and many people live in apartments. I was told that most of these are no bigger than an average car parking space, and those with windows are highly sought after. You’d certainly have to streamline your worldly goods!
The locals say they buy these apartments for three years max, and spend as much time as possible outdoors. They don’t come cheap either!
You can buy anything in Hong Kong, 24/7!
There are shops absolutely everywhere, high street, back street and every other street you can imagine, selling absolutely everything. You can buy designer, state of the art technology, and everything in between, if you want it, you’ll be able to purchase it.
The Jade Market.
The Night Market opens at five each evening and seems to sell all wares known and unknown to man! I learnt a valuable lesson in Bali, after the pig incident, so made sure that I only went to markets that didn’t sell meat or fish. I avoided the wet market, so no nasty shocks this time!
I must say that Hong Kong has a fantastic rail system, it was so easy, even when jumping trains repeatedly. We travelled everywhere, the whole time by train. It’s also another city where you feel safe, even decked out as a tourist.
I was a tad disappointed though, I was hoping to experience the magic of the orient, but Hong Kong is a modern, efficient, busy, bustling, highly functioning city, although I’m quite sure, given a little more time I would have found the exotic! It’s still there, in the back streets and under the shadows of the skyscrapers…
And Finally….
So, there you have it, most of my travels. Only that little paradise, Nusa Dua, In Bali to go and I’m done! I’ll get around to that in a couple of weeks.
Happy Easter, one and all!
I love your pictures, they bring an exotic land much closer, to remind us we are one world.
Thanks Vera, yes, it’s good to remember that we are one world and one race…human. There are so many beautiful places I’d like to see….sighs…xxx
Wow, what an amazing trip! That Trickeye museum looks like great fun!
Thanks Susanne. I did think the trickeye was extremely clever.xxx
There are so many delicious little details hidden away in your photos. I think in that sense, they’re rather like Hong Kong itself! I spent a good bit of time just looking and looking — although, like some others, I felt a little queasy thinking about that tram ride. On the other hand, I happily rode streetcars up and down the San Francisco hills, so maybe it would have been fine.
I loved the junks — the fabulous red sails in the sunset. And I marveled again at the crush of people that cities contain. Perhaps it’s my creeping age, or perhaps it’s simply a changing preference, but I find it hard even to go to Houston these days. Hong Kong would be Houston, X100!
Thanks so much for sharing these with us! It must have been hard, choosing which to show. If you decide that more are needed to “fully communicate” all the pleasures of the trip, we’ll look, happily.
How lovely that you took the time to look, not many would, but that’s you, genuinely interested in the posts you read. Yes, there are still delicious gems hidden in Hong Kong, it’s knowing where to find them, I didn’t want to go off the beaten track too much, afraid of what I may see!
I love the country, hubs chose Singapore and Hong Kong, I got Bali, the jewel in the crown. I really am hooked on jungles now, I’m hoping to visit another next year. Thanks for offering me the chance to bore you a little more, yes,it’s always hard to choose pics, it was easier with film! Thanks Linda.xxx
Lovely to read about more of your travels and to see more of your super photos. You seemed to have enjoyed Hong Kong and there is certainly lots to see there, it is endlessly fascinating. Having said that, like Jason I find it claustrophobic and you can smell the pollution in the air. That romantic mist looks wonderful but it is air pollution. I felt sick all the time the last time I went. It’ s a good thing you kept away from the meat markets, the sights you see there would upset anybody.
I love your travel writing Dina and your enjoyment of all the sights you see.
Oh, how horrible feeling sick throughout a holiday! I don’t really like skyscraper cities, they all look pretty much the same to me…..I’m a country girl, I just love green spaces.
Oh….I made darn sure that I didn’t go anywhere I shouldn’t, after seeing that pig I was ultra careful, I didn’t wander down side streets or veer off any path! I stuck religiously to safe, safe, safe!!!
Thanks Chloris.xxx
I don’t doubt for a second that your 42nd floor hotel room was swaying! I understand the buildings in that part of the world are built to withstand earthquakes so they sway. But I’m with Flighty — no thank you! The views are certainly magnificent, so thank you for sharing those amazing images!
I’ve heard bits and pieces about the tiny flats in HK. I don’t think I could live so tightly packed, though it wouldn’t be a bad way to prioritize your belongings! What was your favorite thing to eat there?
Re swaying buildings….Well…. Thank you That girl!!! I thought I was losing my mind, hubs was always fast asleep and out for the count, that guy can sleep on a clothesline! The height perturbed me somewhat, but I did acclimatise last september in NYC…..but struth, it is SO unsettling, and I really felt weird during the endless movement!
What did I eat there? Well, all things chilli and spicy and even more spicy, the hotter the better.., usually with every type of noodles known to mankind, with exotic, delicious veggies …..oh….I just love tasty food.
I have to say though, that I had a drink that was ginger based, hot, and with berries….non alcoholic….I would have emailed you on the spot for advice…..it was to die for! I want to drink it here!!! The warmth spread from my cold toes and throughout my body. xxx
What a mix of ages objects and forms in the trick-eye museum. A real playground.
It was not hard to see where the real fun person was sitting in the laughter corner.
It does look like there is a wealth of sensations to absorb and experiences to remember.
Looks like you had a really great time.
Well….a girl has to have a laugh…..I was impressed with others laughing and giving it a go, maybe us folks need to be reminded to laugh occasionally, even when there is nothing to laugh about. The world sure is grim, yet, is also beautiful, the endless yin/yang of things…..
I was ready to go home when we arrived in Hong Kong, as I was still rooted in the jungle, but I certainly gave it a go and made the most of it. Thanks Menhir.
Thanks for a quick tour of Hong Kong, it is a possible stopover point for us coming from Australia. I wonder where most of their food is grown?
If I were you, I’d go via Singapore, especially for a stopover. I think most of the food is grown in China.xxx
What an incredible get away!! Now you just need to come to DC! You must be busting full of good stories. 🙂
If I ever get to DC, I’ll be sure to visit you! xxx
It all looks fascinating. I would definitely be dizzy on the Sky Terrace and taking the tram up there. I love the photo of the mountain with the bird flying by – it’s so atmospheric. So are the boats in the misty harbour. I love the photos of you both having fun there, too!
Have a lovely Easter! x
Sometimes not knowing is better, I had no clue how steep the ride would would be, going up was one thing, coming down was another! The views were well worth it, they provided a marvelous overview of the layout of the land. I loved that bird, a sea eagle, I saw them everywhere in the Far East, soaring high, but never saw one up close. Thanks Wendy.xxx
Thank you for this lovely travelogue, Dina! I don’t know if I could do it; I’m overwhelmed by such concentrations of people and consumerism…but I’d probably do it just for the once-in-a-lifetime adventure. I really love the bank entrance. And I LOVE the bird flying past the rock formation…and WOW, what a view from the Sky Terrace. My favorite, though, is of you, laughing. What joy you bring to life.
Thank you. 🙂
Oh…you and me both Kitty. I don’t like cities, skyscrapers or crowds. I was raised as a wild child running around green mountains, that remains with me to this day. I picked Bali…as hubs wanted to visit the Far East, I would have loved to have seen a little of the orient but times change, and I’m running with a tourist dream, lol….life aint like that!
You just have to laugh sometimes! Thanks Kitty. Hugs and love to you and yours…..and your visitors, two and four legged!xxx
A wonderful post–you really captured the feel. I’ve always been fascinated by Hong Kong, so this was a fun peek. I have lived in some tiny spaces, but always with windows. Imagine being confined to a tiny windowless box. I’d rather live on the boat with red sails!
We had a narrow boat, but didn’t live aboard. I would have cabin fever in such a tiny space, especially when confined over winter. I would be loath to live anywhere without a window!xxx
A wonderful trip all round, and I love the picture of you laughing:)
Hong Kong is a place I have always wanted to visit. Family members have lived there over the years and one of my best friends in the fashion business had an office there for twenty years, and everyone talks of how safe it is….
I am fascinated by Hon Kong because of the use of Fung Shui principles. They never build anything without consulting the fund shui expert…. including all the big banks and financial institutions. Maybe one day.
I am enjoying this series so much, and hope that by now you have been completely rehabilitated into your world here with of course all the angel furies:) Have a wonderful Easter….janet. xxx
Thanks Janet, having visited Hong Kong, I did feel that I was in yet another skyscraper city, they all look the same after a while. It could have been Kuala Lumper or New York…
I am into Feng Shui, it totally makes sense, creating a harmonious environment, sometimes something as simple as not having a plant with jagged edges in a walk through space makes life more comfortable. Interesting to hear how widespread the practice is, I wasn’t aware of that.
I’m totally back in the groove.xxx
wow……..what an amazing place and what wonderful experiences you have had!
I love the skyterrace place but don’t know if my nerves could cope with the ride to get there!!
It is so strange to think of all these people and places all bustling away everywhere! All over the world seething masses of humanity doing their weird and alien old thing!
Thankyou for sharing – it is great to read about it all and see the photos!xxx
It’s odd to think that people are getting their groove on across the world and and most of us don’t know how the other is living…..all very mind boggling! Sometimes I wonder how many people the earth can carry…..those with the highest carbon footprint may be the first to go!
Always lovely to hear from you….I won’t ask about your new blog….no pressure gal!xxx
🙂 I’m hopeless eh?! But if I ever get sorted out you’ll be the first to know along with gillyk! xxxx
A most enjoyable post and wonderful pictures. I don’t like heights so I’m not sure I would enjoy being up on the Sky Terrace, and I certainly don’t like the sound of being in a swaying 42nd floor hotel room! xx
Thanks Flighty, I’m not fond of heights either but I did enjoy the Sky Terrace, the views were well worth it, I’m sure thrill seekers would go for it just for the tram ride!
Oh….the swaying hotel nearly did for me!xxx
Wow, you lucky girl to visit so many amazing places. My eldest spent 2 months working in HK last year – she loved it and, yes, the apartment that she rented was TINY! Happy Easter. xx
Living in a tiny apartment must be a little like living on a boat, having had a boat I’d opt for that anytime….xxx
Fascinating, though of all the places you’ve written about, this is the one I could most easily skipped. Seems too congested … afraid it would trigger my claustrophobia. I wouldn’t mind visiting the Trickeye Museum, though.
I agree with you Jason, I’d list Bali as superb, Singapore as pleasant and Hong Kong as another skyscraper city….it’s hard to distinguish one from another. I can understand the people there spending most of their time outdoors.xxx
That’s definitely a new word for me ‘fanbloomingtastic’ but doesn’t it describe everything so accurately!
Your photo’s are fantastic, and the mix showing us Hong Kong just brilliant… talking of brilliant aren’t the colours in the ‘bank of China’ image brilliant.
To me, my favourite is the boat with those wonderful red sails …
What a great trip you had and I think you did the laughing corner in the botanical gardens proud …
Wishing you a Happy Friday and enjoy the Easter weekend.
All the best Jan
Lol, it does describe things perfectly for me!
I liked those junks, they were tourist boats and had lights behind their sails, rather lovely.
I must say I did enjoy the laughing corner as did many locals….sometimes you just gotta laugh! Thanks Jan.xxx
Super! ‘fanbloomingtastic, post! What more can one say?
Thanks for sharing..
Have a Super Easter! Hugs! 💕💕
Thanks Bushka.xxx
A wonderful experience, We have s friend from Hing Kong and she recently took her 3 year old son to visit family as she wanted him to visit her birthplace.
Good that your friend got to take her son to her childhood home, I think we’d all want to do that if living abroad.xxx
The view from the Sky Terrace is amazing but I wouldn’t fancy the tram ride to get there, I’ve never been a fan of rollercoasters. The Trickeye museum is very clever, I can see the fun you’d have in there, that’s much more my thing. I think you were very wise to stay away from the meat markets, I wondered as I was reading if you’d come across any more problems like the pig incident, that’s something which would put me off travelling to these kind of places but I suppose they can be avoided if you know the areas to stay clear of. Glad you had such a good time.
I was surprised at how steep that mountain was, but did enjoy the views, you get a good feel for the layout up there.
Oh….once bitten twice shy! I made sure I didn’t see anything this time, if you can’t affect change, or help you have to avoid such places. Yes, it’s all about research and local info, then you can travel anywhere. Thanks Jo.xxx
What a fabulous trip. Those skyline shots are wonderful. I’m truly envious. Have a great Easter x
Thanks Jess.xxx