Day 2
Hong Kong was nothing like what I expected. It was hot, humid, crowded, filthy and utterly exciting. Still jet lagged I woke up after three hours of sleep at five in the morning. We had a delicious breakfast that consisted of both western and eastern foods at the hotel restaurant and began planning our day.
After a mandatory meeting I and about half of the group were on our way to explore the city. I was glad when I found out that this group wanted to explore the city on foot and like me wanted to walk it from top to bottom. Our hotel, though quite north of the city, was on a major road. The apartments in this neighborhood looked very Soviet, though they were much taller than the five story apartments that I was used to. Every balcony was filled with drying clothing (which would never dry because of the humidity) and every last inch of the first floor was taken up by shops of all kinds.
Our first stop was the Jade Market. In an area the size of a barn we found hundreds of thousands of knick nacks of all sorts. Stalls full of necklaces, rings, buddhas, carvings, anything you could think of pushed upon us from all sides. The stall keepers could not speak English but we still bargained like mad for everything was overpriced. Using calculators and handmotions I was able to buy a few souveniers that I am very happy with.
We continued down the street, constantly surrounded by thousands of people, to the waterfront. The real Hong Kong: modern style office buildings and cranes on the harbor greeted us. But for all its modernity the famous Star Ferry seemed as if one more journey would do it in. I have never been sea sick but I came close on the rough waves of the harbour. The boat was breaming with people and every moment I expected it to sink taking us with it. But the view was amazing.
After seven minutes we were on shore and making our way towards the tram that would take us up to Victoria Peak. The tram was a trolley going up the hill at a 27 degree angle. Any moment I expected the chain to break and send us plummeting backwards into a highrise. But though I was scared, I did not fail to look into all the windows of the apartments as we passed, many of which were mere inches away. This part of Hong Kong would not have looked out of place in Paris. The streets were cobblestone and the buildings made of brick. There were even lace curtains in some of the windows. I was pleased.
The view from Victoria's Peak took my breath away. As soon as I can get pictures posted I will. It is simply indiscribable. The fog, the harbor, the buildings created one of the most beautiful landscapes that has ever existed. It was so easy to forget about the poverty and the crowds below.
We had lunch on the peak (pizza, it was the cheapest thing available) and took the tram back down. By the time we crossed the harbor we were so exhausted from our long walk (I don't know how many miles we walked but it was at least ten) that we came back and fell asleep. I was planning on going to the Temple Street Night Market in the evening but only made it accross the street to get some noodles for dinner. The noodles were delicious and with a full stomach I fell asleep.
After a mandatory meeting I and about half of the group were on our way to explore the city. I was glad when I found out that this group wanted to explore the city on foot and like me wanted to walk it from top to bottom. Our hotel, though quite north of the city, was on a major road. The apartments in this neighborhood looked very Soviet, though they were much taller than the five story apartments that I was used to. Every balcony was filled with drying clothing (which would never dry because of the humidity) and every last inch of the first floor was taken up by shops of all kinds.
Our first stop was the Jade Market. In an area the size of a barn we found hundreds of thousands of knick nacks of all sorts. Stalls full of necklaces, rings, buddhas, carvings, anything you could think of pushed upon us from all sides. The stall keepers could not speak English but we still bargained like mad for everything was overpriced. Using calculators and handmotions I was able to buy a few souveniers that I am very happy with.
We continued down the street, constantly surrounded by thousands of people, to the waterfront. The real Hong Kong: modern style office buildings and cranes on the harbor greeted us. But for all its modernity the famous Star Ferry seemed as if one more journey would do it in. I have never been sea sick but I came close on the rough waves of the harbour. The boat was breaming with people and every moment I expected it to sink taking us with it. But the view was amazing.
After seven minutes we were on shore and making our way towards the tram that would take us up to Victoria Peak. The tram was a trolley going up the hill at a 27 degree angle. Any moment I expected the chain to break and send us plummeting backwards into a highrise. But though I was scared, I did not fail to look into all the windows of the apartments as we passed, many of which were mere inches away. This part of Hong Kong would not have looked out of place in Paris. The streets were cobblestone and the buildings made of brick. There were even lace curtains in some of the windows. I was pleased.
The view from Victoria's Peak took my breath away. As soon as I can get pictures posted I will. It is simply indiscribable. The fog, the harbor, the buildings created one of the most beautiful landscapes that has ever existed. It was so easy to forget about the poverty and the crowds below.
We had lunch on the peak (pizza, it was the cheapest thing available) and took the tram back down. By the time we crossed the harbor we were so exhausted from our long walk (I don't know how many miles we walked but it was at least ten) that we came back and fell asleep. I was planning on going to the Temple Street Night Market in the evening but only made it accross the street to get some noodles for dinner. The noodles were delicious and with a full stomach I fell asleep.