Thursday, March 17, 2011

Hong Kong - Part 2!


We had an amazing time in Hong Kong. The weather wasn't great during our time in HK (unusually cool & windy) but there wasn't much rain either which is good.

We took the famous trip in the tram up to The Peak, which is the highest point on Hong Kong island. It was sooo steep and very tropical, a mountain loaded with tropical brush & trees - loads of bamboo and palms. We had no idea that HK was a lush and tropical island, we always imagined the city and buildings, but the natural beauty of the island is stunning. There are many bays and several beaches all around The Peak, with condo's built on the mountain that are sold to the tune of 20-30 million US dollars! Once we reached The Peak, we were surprised to find a huge shopping centre where we bought many souvenirs and ate an "All American" lunch with the incredible view of all of Hong Kong island at Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co. After taking in the view for a while, we decided to take a taxi down the other side of the mountain to Stanley Beach and Market area. This place was market shopping paradise & I'm pretty sure we will have to take out a loan from the bank to cover all the purchases we made! We bought everything from cushion covers and chop sticks, to Chinese embroidered pink slippers for Olivia. Everything was just so beautiful and cheap! The Chinese in all their infinite technological wisdom, decided that it would be both fun & exciting to arrange thousands of lasers and lights on hundreds of sky scrapers and structures in Hong Kong. They did this so that each night at precisely 8 pm the show will light up the night sky over the island and waters of the Hong Kong harbour. Not only is there lights and lasers of every colour and arrangement (some along the entire length of sky scrapers) traveling impressive distances across the city, but they are also coordinated to music which plays at countless viewing points throughout the city and on speakers along the harbour front. I never imagined anything like this would be even possible - honestly, I want to know which genius thought this up?!?! It was unlike anything we'd ever seen. After our delicious steak dinner at the restaurant overlooking the harbour and city, I sent Sammy out with the boys for some St. Patty's fun and I took the sleepy little princess home. Of course they managed to find an Irish pub and drank green beer all night, such great fun for the guys.

Today we w
ent to Ocean Park here in HK. This was a huge and incredible amusement park and aquarium. We got to see pandas and animals, all sea creatures imaginable and take on the skies in the famous sky tram (gondola style) ride. This park is like nothing ever seen before as it is divided into 2 separate areas: 1 huge section at the bottom of the mountain with loads of smaller kids rides, shows and features and at the top of the mountain is the huge dolphin presentation shows and massive rides & roller coasters, some dangling off the mountain side. The only way between these 2 areas is via a 10 minute ride in the gondola - sky tram enclosed capsule thingy! it was frightening to say the least traveling so high above the jagged edges of cliffs and mountains but wow what a thrill! We had a fabulous day - one we won't soon forget! We will always remember our amazing time in Hong Kong. We had so many amazing experiences. This trip was the most authentic and cultural trip we have ever taken and I'm so glad we went. We will for sure go back to HK some day as there was still so much left to see and do. Hopefully next time we will have clear sunny days to enjoy! Thanks to our incredible friends and the company apartment for our stay. We look forward to traveling on to Australia to experience the beauty and excitement in the land of Oz! So the adventure continues...




1 comment:

  1. those would be memorable days to visit paris ?
    i have visited paris before 2 years.

    make a facebook application

    ReplyDelete