April 27 & 28 Hong Kong
Must combine both days, because it's been difficult uploading pics with the slow ship internet.
You can easily tell yesterday's outside pics from today's, because it was very hazy and cloudy yesterday. Today, blue skies came around, along with the sun,
and while I wouldn't hurt categorize it as stinking hot, it IS 🔥.
It took a while to get off the ship yesterday because of immigration, who kept asking for spot checks for different cabins, but then we had an excursion that took us first to Victoria Peak, then the Stanley market,
and then finally, the Adeline fishing village.
We took the tram up to the peak
but then had a wild ride down the hill, in our bus. There were times that the bus brushed the side of the hill
and the driver emulated Mario Andretti, as best he could. On the way to the fishing village, we passed a beach
where although the waters are warm, the waters are surrounded by shark fences to keep out u know what.
They threw us into quasi Sampans for a short ride around the harbour, in the Adeline fishing village .
Our tour guide on the bus , pointed out older buildings, that the government, will eventually buy at market value and tear down and build new ones. Also pointed out highrises, with bamboo scaffolding. Thought I'd heard incorrectly, until I eventually walked under some. They prefer bamboo to steel for a myriad of reasons including cost and flexibility.
Also passed a large cemetery. No bodies- only urns are buried.
We returned back to the ship around 2:30.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/729AaGxBEkSwsMk78
Quickly changed clothes, and then met up with a sweet local resident, Jeanie, that we had first met on our trip to Japan in 2019. Michael has been Facebooking with her since then.
(The handprints are from famous Chinese movie stars...we never found Jackie Chen....but there were a whole series of them)
She very graciously guided us down the boardwalk and then into a particularly fancy mall.
Afterwards, we took a short subway ride to get to a restaurant. Again, the ride was short, but the walking through the subway stations almost killed us.
(first down one long hallway, followed by another, and then another)
We were like two fragile elderly people trying to keep up with a very youthful Jeanie. I think that our fatigue climaxed yesterday and eventually, we had to call it quits. Jeanie would have chaperoned us all over the city, she was SO wonderful, but we were just spent. But she did take us out for dinner, to a hot pot restaurant. First there were delicious appetizers like sashimis, preserved egg and God knows what else.
(in the basket, fried fish skins to be quickly cooked)
Then a chicken soup and then, a table full of things to throw into a hot
pot....from vegetables to meat to fish. Michael made an effort to eat things that he would not normally, but drew the line, when the contents of the dish, were still moving. He screamed like a little girl.https://photos.app.goo.gl/QBLLKqYdL8q4NE3n8
pot....from vegetables to meat to fish. Michael made an effort to eat things that he would not normally, but drew the line, when the contents of the dish, were still moving. He screamed like a little girl.https://photos.app.goo.gl/QBLLKqYdL8q4NE3n8
But it was just a delicacy, abalone.
We finished the evening at a night market. With Jeanie along to bargain for us, we got a great deal on a new carry on suitcase.
She also wanted to take us for dimsum this morning, and continue the tour, but I was certain that we were out of gas.
I accurately predicted our almost demise, because Michael's ankles were super inflated and red and I'm back to the puffy 👁️ look to match the rest of my puffiness. So Michael basically had to call quits to hiking on day 2. He should have stayed in with ice on his feet again, but instead chose to do more laundry, and then hit the pool and hot tub.
I on the other hand, was determined to go out, although not far. Went to the museum of art. Their special exhibit featured Joan Miro, who I've never been a huge fan of. Thought that I'd run through the rest of the museum with their regular exhibits but had to spend some time, because of the many beautiful things they had.
Very close to the pier, is the very storied Peninsula Hotel.
Have to laugh because the YMCA is next door to the Peninsula.
Had to go into the subway entrance at one point, just to cross the street.
On my way back to the ship, going through the terminal, Harbour City, is just another giant shopping mall. Not particularly decorated but full of expensive shops.
Outside, people were lined up to get inside a Dior store.
Have no idea why....fairly certain not giving anything away. Inside one of the lower floor corridors, was lined with stores,
that were designer stores for children, only.
Also, saw my second working robot. This one manoeuvring up and down the hall, spraying disinfectant. Apparently, they've had working robots for years now, working in many service capacities.
Uh, oh...saw more beautiful teapots.
Once back at the ship, we were enticed to attend Shabbat services, because we were told that the hotel director would be making potato latkes (they were yummy).
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3g81158uCYAUdDyo6
Before leaving port, there was a laser light show with music.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/znJkYgNAohFRGBjQ8
Truthfully, found it a little underwhelming, but still pretty.https://photos.app.goo.gl/CdPeUdT6jWFcQE8U8
And for some reason, a passenger had brought his bagpipes.https://photos.app.goo.gl/mrhDXzGYpcXib2nZ6
Hope that Michael doesn't get any ideas about taking his banjo if there's another cruise for us.
Ended the second day with a very enjoyable magic show.
I'm almost certain that I'd seen this guy 8 years ago, and had not been impressed with him at that time. But over the years, he's honed his act. So good time.
