China Blog: April 2013

April 30 Tues Hong Kong

Ate breakfast at Starbucks yay. took the Star Ferry across Hong Kong Harbor to the island of Hong Kong.

It started to rain a bit so we spent some time at the IFC Building, the second tallest building in Hong Kong. Went to the 55 floor and saw an exhibit on money and banking. Their 2010 bills have grail on them for the seeing impaired. We then went up the longest escalator on the world to different shopping areas. The escalator only went one way-we had to walk down. Oh No! It was very hot.

We ate lunch in the SoHo area at the Monogamous Chinese Restaurant and shopped on Hollywood Street where there were art galleries and antiques. On the way to the ferry was the Hong Kong Maritime Museum that Randy enjoyed. As we purchased our return Ferry tickets the wind picked up and it started to rain hard. The 60 year old Ferry took the rough winds and water with ease. Our next trick was hailing a taxi

Our plan was to get to the Intercontinental at 7 have dinner then see the light show, but Anton came down with a cold so we ate below the Hotel. With a 5:30 departure for the airport bak to Beijing we had an early evening of packing.

On the Ferry to Hong Kong Island

Again with Laurie taking the picture!

Plaster mold for the year of the Tiger gold coin

Don't get the chicken because of bird flu

We got a three course lunch at the Manogamous Restaurant

Ladies'

Men's

That's 11 US dollars, pretty good price.

Another amazingly tall building

Randy enjoyed the maritime museum in HK

The IFC building.

The only rain we had

With the rain, hailing a taxi took some time.

April 29 Mon Hong Kong

We went on a guided tour with Alan, learning that HK is 410 sq miles consisting of an island and a peninsula with a population of 7 million people. Hong Kong is a safe city aside from pickpockets. They look like tourists. Public transpiration is good and about 2 million take buses as it is expensive to own a car costs $9/gal for gas. The government own the land and individuals lease the land for 70 years. When one dies and is buried they lease the burial plot for 6 year periods Cremation is popular.

Went on an underwater tunnels to Hong Kong island or Victoria Island population 1 mill. Weather is similar to FL, the most popular fish is Grouper. A house facing South makes the house more temperate. Fortune tellers are hired to determine what direction the front of the house should face.

Bought a red backpack purse and a belt at the market Off to Victoria peaks. Bought a turquoise ring at the Jewelry factory there.
The fog at the top was so thick there wasn't much of a view. Laurie & Anton rode the tram down. We rode the bus.
We missed the Night light show again! It starts at 8 and last for 15 minutes. Went to the night market which was yet another Flea market that R looooved. Me. Not so much.

A Market

Floating restaurant

The view at the top—not so good.

Another unique bathroom symbol. We got
pretty good at the squatty potties!

A foggy day.

April 28 Sun Leave for Hong Kong

Got in to the Royal pacific Hotel in time for dinner. Randy came down with a cold so we had a quick dinner at a Thai Restaurant. Yes we actually got Randy to eat Thai food. Below the Hotel was quite a mall with McDonald's, Starbucks and tons of shop that we explored. We missed the light show at 8 pm. Will try again tomorrow.

Entrance to the Royal Pacific Hotel.

Anton at our hotel.

A new look for international bathroom signs!

April 27 Sat Last full day in Shanghai

Started out on the walking tour with a park. Then we went to the Yu Gardens. From there we continued the waking tour through some markets where I got some jade square that I think will make nice pendants. I also got some coins for possible jewelry. Then we took the subway to the top of The Pearl Communication Tower for the view & pictures. We tried to eat there but we're low on Yuans also known as Renminbi, rmb for short—and they wouldn't take credit cards. We went to a restaurant close by for beef and noodles. We attempted the subway home. An Asian woman walked us all the to our hotel when she saw us struggling with the map. Our guardian angel!