Hong Kong

 I was here with Mom in 1997 when Hong Kong was officially transferred to China. It was an investment tour by John Dessauer. My Mom subscribed to his newsletter and was intrigued by a notice of a tour to China's special economic zones. She asked if I wanted to go - SURE! Here is that newsletter:

It is confusing to me now about why Hong Kong is a separate 'country' from China. I thought that Hong Kong was China, but you need a separate visa to enter mainland China as opposed to Hong Kong. Huh? So, Hong Kong is a "Special Administrative Region" of China. Ok, whatever.

Sailing in to Hong Kong

What I remember most about visiting Hong Kong in 1997 were the tower cranes all over the place, building the high rises. There were plenty of skyscrapers then. Even more now. We only had 2 days here so we figured a Hop-On Hop-Off bus was the best use of our time. I enjoy the audio commentary provided on earbuds as you drive around. 

Day 1 we rode the bus all around Hong Kong Island

The ship was docked on the mainland side - otherwise known as Kowloon. Then the water in between is called Victoria harbor and Victoria Peak is on Hong Kong Island. I wrongly assumed that the biggest hills would be on the mainland side - nope - that's the island.

Victoria harbor is in between Kowloon and Hong Kong island. This harbor was very desirable - it's what British were looking for when Hong Kong was ceded to British in 1841

 

We took the green route on day 1 and the blue route on day 2.

Our Hong Kong welcome was the best!

And the dock was right at a mall. So easy to get off the ship, go shopping, or get to the ferry across to Hong Kong Island. 

Walking off the ship, then thru the mall, drops us off right near the ferry. 

After crossing the harbor and getting on the bus, we went directly to the tram that took us up Victoria peak and the most spectacular views.

It was great to see some more natural landscapes on the other side of the island. 

My notes on the audio commentary told us about:

• Kai tec airport in harbor- no more
• Taikoo shing - 12,000 apartments - 99 999? year lease
• Lots of reservoirs and water testing means Hong Kong has some of the best water in the world
• American club is fancy exclusive club in south side of Hong Kong island
• Beautiful Stanley was a prisoner of war camp in ww2
• Murray house used by Japanese in ww2 - thousands of execution
• Repulse bay is for billionaires
• Old royal golf club
• Hong Kong country club, not exclusive, all nationalities and races welcome, BUT you must pay millions
• Ocean park theme park is a major attraction
• Hong Kong police are well paid
• Ap lei chau one of densest populations in the world
• Cyberport, working to turn hong Kong into smart city
• Life expectancy high here due to strong public health care 
• Sun yat sen first president of china, studied in Hong Kong

The next day on the mainland (Kowloon), we took the Hop on bus again.

Here are my notes from the bus commentary

Kowloon

"Electrifying mix of old and new"

Streets named after what's dinner there, e.g. clothes washing street 

Langham place, mall. Upper floors designed like a corkscrew, just keep walking and you'll be going upstairs! No stairs or escalators needed. 

Kids work hard in school. It's very competitive from young age. 

Saw a Chinese gate - a china town in Hong Kong?! 😂😮

Afternoon tea at the Ritz Carlton? 

High speed rail gets you from Kowloon to Shenzhen in 14 minutes

Train station is part of china as well as Hong Kong, you can go thru customs and immigration for both "countries" 

Harbor city terminal had an observation deck

Hong Kong has the highest concentration of shopping malls in the world

Dinner at an Irish Pub called Delaneys! Hey, we had Dim Sum at lunch, that was good enough.