July 15, 2010
We had been here in Hong Kong without going to the markets (despite being bang smack in the middle of the market areas -- Mong Kok) and without seeing the Hong Kong waterfront… so today was the day to check a few of those more traditional things off our list. We had planned to go to Chueng Chen Island by boat… but we were trying to learn from our previous days forays into the heat and crowds. We wanted to bite off just a little bit ... we decided to do what we wanted to accomplish first (what a thought!!) and then if we ran out of steam later - no worries... we would have done the top priority first!
So we headed down for a scrumptous breakfast buffet at the hotel where we all had our favorites from a stunning array of western and eastern breakfast goodies... this was the first time i had used chopsticks for breakfast (yummy dim sum and pork/noodles) ... along side chocolate croissant and swiss muesli!
When amazingly full of good food and information/directions for our "X-team Concierge" === Out we went for a peek at the flower market (orchids, orchids, orchids and more!), goldfish market and the bird market.
We made it to the first two markets - where the fish on display were amazing and they even had baby squid and varieties of fish beyond belief... and then the weather started to spit with rain and the girls started to go a bit limp ... (gosh and it was only noon...). Yesterday, it was Stephanie's turn to refuse to walk another step (we got a stroller from the hotel b4 we left on our outing). Today, Elizabeth was out of gas. We pushed on to a local street market with the promise of a toy (Barbies/spy cell phones are $2)... it worked!
We had fun going through the stalls and seeing what delights there were for not too too much money. I had great fun w/fabrics, decorating. There were fruits/vegetables, clothes, underwear, toys - you name it. We also experienced a downpour (our only one in Hong Kong!)... we grabbed another umbrella and waited it out. By now - it was time to find a taxi. We weren't walking another step ....
We got to the Star Ferry Terminal on the coast of Kowloon facing downtown Hong Kong Island. It was a jaw dropping view… The buildings/architecture were all amazing… the boats, freighters, cruise ships, ferries… all very much alive. We hit some souvenir shops and hopped on the ferry. Great peaceful, scenic ride!
We had been here in Hong Kong without going to the markets (despite being bang smack in the middle of the market areas -- Mong Kok) and without seeing the Hong Kong waterfront… so today was the day to check a few of those more traditional things off our list. We had planned to go to Chueng Chen Island by boat… but we were trying to learn from our previous days forays into the heat and crowds. We wanted to bite off just a little bit ... we decided to do what we wanted to accomplish first (what a thought!!) and then if we ran out of steam later - no worries... we would have done the top priority first!
So we headed down for a scrumptous breakfast buffet at the hotel where we all had our favorites from a stunning array of western and eastern breakfast goodies... this was the first time i had used chopsticks for breakfast (yummy dim sum and pork/noodles) ... along side chocolate croissant and swiss muesli!
When amazingly full of good food and information/directions for our "X-team Concierge" === Out we went for a peek at the flower market (orchids, orchids, orchids and more!), goldfish market and the bird market.
We made it to the first two markets - where the fish on display were amazing and they even had baby squid and varieties of fish beyond belief... and then the weather started to spit with rain and the girls started to go a bit limp ... (gosh and it was only noon...). Yesterday, it was Stephanie's turn to refuse to walk another step (we got a stroller from the hotel b4 we left on our outing). Today, Elizabeth was out of gas. We pushed on to a local street market with the promise of a toy (Barbies/spy cell phones are $2)... it worked!We had fun going through the stalls and seeing what delights there were for not too too much money. I had great fun w/fabrics, decorating. There were fruits/vegetables, clothes, underwear, toys - you name it. We also experienced a downpour (our only one in Hong Kong!)... we grabbed another umbrella and waited it out. By now - it was time to find a taxi. We weren't walking another step ....
We got to the Star Ferry Terminal on the coast of Kowloon facing downtown Hong Kong Island. It was a jaw dropping view… The buildings/architecture were all amazing… the boats, freighters, cruise ships, ferries… all very much alive. We hit some souvenir shops and hopped on the ferry. Great peaceful, scenic ride!
Once on the Hong Kong side – we were headed to the tram station to pick up the funicular railway up the side of the mountain to Victoria Peak…We grabbed a bus which was just about to leave and it was an open top bus. Wow! To be riding amongst the buildings was fantastic!!!
However, the heat and time of day – now 3 o’clock… meant that both girls had really had it. Elizabeth ‘this is too much Mom’ and Stephanie “I don’t want to get off the bus”…. I echoed Stephanie’s feelings too!!! We decided to split up at this point – Simone and Michael would go off to the Peak and then the girls and I would go back to the hotel which we did.
The girls and i swam and swam in the deliciously warm pool water @ The Langham Place. Michael and Simone enjoyed the sites. We regrouped for a dinner by the pool high up on floor 41... and then swam more --- the girls. Michael showered and found an "Xbox" demonstration in the adjacent Mall which he found stiff competition on FIFA '10. Simone relaxed and prepared to leave on her midnight flight to Taipei. We will miss you, Simone!!!
I finally had some quiet time to pack and Michael kept me company until about 11:30 pm... did not want to sleep. Too excited about HK. I went to sleep about midnight but didn't rest too well. Had a bit of a cold and we had an early flight.... so i was up early to prepare the troops!
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