Hong Kong

November 20~27, 2014

After our China trip, we spent a few days in Hong Kong in hopes of visiting relatives and seeing sights that we didn't get to see in the last few trips here. Unfortunately, I was not feeling well and had to stay in so we lost precious days just watching TV and resting at the apartment. We tried to venture out a little on a couple of days but didn't stay out too long. Most days we just found places to eat near the apartment. We did not even take the ferries on this trip which was a shame.

Incredible view of the entrance of Victoria Harbor from the apartment.

The Nathan Road that I had never seen before.

The usually very busy Nathan Road was taken over by the "Occupy Mongkok" group.

Tents took over this busiest street in Kowloon for a couple of months.

Tram Ride in Hong Kong

This is the cheapest way to see real-life Hong Kong. For less than US 50 cents each way, ride the slow poke tram (Ding Ding) from Kennedy City on the western end of the island to Happy Valley. (We planned on riding the tram from Kennedy City to Sau Ki Wan on the eastern end, but because of the "Occupy Central" activities in Causeway Bay, the tram was not able to go through.) We actually took the ride from Kennedy City to Happy Valley, from Happy Valley back to Kennedy City, and then Kennedy City to Waichai and toally enjoyed the afternoon. The secret is to sit on the top deck preferably in the front so you get a great view of the city.

We did not realize that we could actually go inside the race track even though we saw people walking down the 'tunnel' right across from the Happy Valley tram station. 

At the front of the tram on the top deck. 

Pictures taken from the tram.

I believe this is Wanchai district.

An old pawn shop that turned into a restaurant.

Chinese Methodist Church

Central district (Pacific Place)

Sheung Wan

Passing through Central one more time.

That was the most touristy thing that we did on this trip in Hong Kong. It was fun and relaxing, just sat there and took in all the sights and sounds of the island. One thought about Hong Kong, it has changed quite a bit through the years and it is not the same HK that I knew. Having been away for more than forty years with occasional visits back to my birth place, I can hardly find the Hong Kong that I was familiar with. At times I felt out of place, but I still love this city which I have so much fond memories of. Not sure when my next visit will be but I am praying that the people in Hong Kong will keep this Pearl of the Orient bright and shiny for years to come.