Jardine's Lookout to Kennedy Town via Wan Chai
Trip Start
Dec 31, 2011
1
33
54
Trip End
Apr 20, 2012
Hong Kong, China
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Thursday 1st March 2012
How did I ever think of going elsewhere while my base was Hong Kong? This place is vibrant, chaotic, ordered, friendly, busy, hospitable, business like ….. and the list goes on. I love it!!
My host family took me in and treated me as a member of their family from day one and I am so grateful for their kindness and hospitality – it has made my time here immeasurably more enjoyable.
I'm not going to list all the things I have done or places I have been but suffice to say that I have been out every day, walked miles (my 'new’ boots fell to pieces!) have enjoyed good food at home and in eating establishments (used chopsticks for the first time), got the hang of local transport including the trams (my favourites) and generally soaked up the atmosphere that HK exudes. Apart from a trip out with John to the New Territories last Saturday, I have stayed on HK Island. Some of you will be aware that the Star Ferries shuttle between the HK Island and Kowloon and I would have liked to avail myself of yet another passage on a ship – albeit the voyage is for just over 5 minutes and costs 20p! – but time was against me. I also had an idea about taking a fast ferry to Macau, but… well I needed more time to do all the things that are possible here.
I have been leant a book called, ‘dos and don’ts in Hong Kong’. It is a fascinating and informative book that I wish I had read before. If you are thinking of visiting or would just like to get a flavour of the place I thoroughly recommend it.
I spoke to year 3 and year 6 in the school that Jane (my hostess) works in. I really enjoyed telling them about my journey and judging by their questioning, they were interested in the same way that class 3 were at home. The main difference was the emphasis the children here put on limiting pollution. They are very passionate about it and feel their government (in Hong Kong) is not doing enough and more annoyingly, according to the children, talking as though there isn’t a problem. They are really fired up with indignation. It is good to see. The school itself, like most of the buildings here, is on a small footprint, but built in 5 layers resembling a wedding cake. There is a playground at ground level but an even larger one on the roof. The school is dwarfed by massive high rise blocks of flats that are built right on the school boundary, a very different perspective to our school at home. And not a blade of grass to be seen!
Jane’s daughter Carly is a teacher in another school here in HK and has offered to twin with a class back at home – communicating by email. Because HK is so cosmopolitan in every way, the children in Carly’s class come from all over the world but are interested to hear what life is like in rural Essex. It sounds as though it could work very well with the schools being in such different parts of the world.
One place I visited a couple of times is Hong Kong Football Club that is in Happy Valley. The title gives a most misleading image – it is the football club bit that conjures up the picture. The HKFC is a very swish affair, with 3 bars, gym, swimming pool with poolside restaurant, 10 pin bowling alley, 2 more restaurants, squash courts and all this without mentioning the international quality football pitch, the hockey pitch, the running track and so it goes on. John is the Honorary Secretary and walking round is treated with the respect such a position commands. The whole club is inexorable linked with the Happy Valley Racecourse that shares the same land. The racecourse has far more actual property surrounding the course itself but there is an amazing view of all activity in the arena area, all set against the stunning backdrop of high rise buildings that are particularly photogenic at night.
The problems I had with the shipping company and my connections continued until very recently. I had to chase them for an amended ticket – I didn’t want US Immigration telling me that I couldn’t get off in Charleston because my ticket states I am leaving the ship in Tanger Med. The company that operates the ship from the US to home (MSC Ilona) issued a ticket to Antwerp not Felixstowe… you get the picture. I am as certain as I can be that all the admin associated with my travel arrangements is now sorted. If there is something I haven’t thought of, it is nearly too late to do anything about it. There is a feedback form that I received with my original lot of papers and I will consider very carefully what I say when I get home. The irony of the situation is that I chose a major shipping company to book with to avoid exactly the problems I have faced. Perhaps I should have stuck with one of the original companies I contacted where there was never anybody in the office when I phoned. The main man was always out of the office but returned my calls about 6o/c in the evening. I presumed he had a day job that wasn’t booking people onto cargo ships, but given my experience with CMA CGM, he just may have provided a better service. I will never know.
The agent is coming for me at 13.30 today. The ship arrived this morning and sails later this evening back to China and then across to South Korea. As much as I have thoroughly enjoyed HK, I am on a world tour and will be pleased to get on board a ship again and settle in to the routine that it offers. I hope the people on board are friendly, and another passenger could also be a bonus.
Before I leave on the next leg, I would like to thank everybody who is reading my blog. I get to see the stats and am amazed that in two months there have been over 2.5 thousand hits on it. I enjoy writing it, I hope you enjoy reading it.
Tara from Hong Kong!
Comments
Hi Pete
Reading your blog about HK made me feel nostalgic. I visited the British Council where my son was working, and spent some time in the nursery class-----beautiful little children, immaculately turned out, and the best equipped classroom that I've ever been in. I also remember a mad bus ride on the top of a double-decker down to Stanley, which seemed very similar to an English seaside resort. The driver was driving recklessly fast and flinging the bus around corners without any concern for his passengers but I seemed to be the only one who was concerned. Visited Lantau Island and saw beautiful white egrets. What astonished me was that you could be amazed at the glossiness of HK shops, hotels and apartments and yet pass poor Chinese women sitting cross legged on the pavement with their little scales trying to sell vegetables from the country. I never did get to grips with chop-sticks---well done! Good luck for the rest of your trip.
Hi Peter,
Pleased to see HK is just as I left it 30 years ago but bigger. You note rekindled many happy memories of my three years working there routing out dodgy cops with the ICAC. You should have found time for the Star Ferry. Next time perhaps?
Glad you enjoyed HK but how can you miss out on the Star Ferry! When Clive and I visited we could see the ferry going back and forwards all the time from our hotel room - when you get home I'll show you the photos....We had an exciting bus trip to Stanley in the rain! Did a day trip to China just after HK went back to China and on our return home we waited in our plane for Tony Blair's "red plane" to take off. Good memories.
Its lovely to read your adventures
For some reason my phone has me connected to the internet! Pleased HK blog did it for some of you. My host still works for ICAC and they are still busy! Am in Xamian on our way north. Will have my PA post blog ASAP.
Dear Peter,
I disembarked from the CC Georgia in Hong Kong with my student. Do you remember? Now that I found your blog, I will follow your wonderful journey. Please say hello to the whole crew! Take care.