On Thursday the 9th, we first went to Sai Wan Bay Military Cemetary on the east side of Hong Kong Island, where Canadians are commemorated. It is a peaceful and beautiful place, and very well kept up. There is a covered, walled area with the names of the 1939-45 Hong Kong military dead, from all the units. There is a visitor's book, which we signed, and there were many, recent Canadian addresses in the book. We left 2 poppies on the wall, Dad: one for AT "Red" Woods and Agnes: one for RC Maxwell. Where they know the names, or sometimes just the unit, the monuments are so inscribed, but there are many noted as just "a soldier". Most of the Canadians have such markers but, they are remembered.
After a bit of a wait for transportation, we carried on South to Stanley--again--for lunch and shopping.
Then, we took the double-decker bus from Repulse Bay up and over the Wong Nei Chong Gap. which is where the Winnipeg Grenadiers made their major stand. You have to see the terrain to believe it--everything is on steep slopes and up or down. It is now a populated area, but we passed by the Esso station and saw the Western Brigade HQ bunker, all cemented up. One of the historical Hong Kong walks goes down from Jardine's Lookout and ends there.
Back to Brian's and that was it for the day.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Macau
This will be a 2-day post covering our trip to Macau...
Macau is a separate Special Administrative Region from Hong Kong, so you have to go through Immigration and Customs on both sides and both ways. So we did! The Jetfoil is a hydrofoil-type boat (not a hovercraft), carrying 228 people and going at 47 knots. You "fly" above the waves and it is quite smooth. It has a jet engine powering the propellers, so it sounds like one. Anyway, smooth, fast (about an hour), comfortable trips both ways.
The MGM Grand in Macau is, in fact, Grand. First ever ***** hotel we've stayed in. (We were there on a package deal--transportation, hotel, breakfast for $C312 all-in total--they must be feeling the turndown!) 16th floor looking South over water to the other Macau Island, plasma TV, motorized curtain covering plexiglass separating the bathroom from the rest of the suite, big bathtub, twin sinks, etc. etc.. Main lobby had a Chihouly (glass sculpture) hanging from the ceiling, many examples around and a Chihouly shop too--sadly, way, way, WAY above our means, but we took pictures. The atrium connecting the hotel to the casino was 3 or 4 stories high and decorated to look like Lisbon--one end was, according to a Scot we spoke with, exactly like the train station in Lisbon--and he's seen both. The casino was huge. We had a very late and expensive dim sum lunch and after donating some money to "the cause", we left!
And went to the Venetian, another casino, that was the biggest casino we've ever seen. And above it, a shopping mall--think 4 or 5 times the size of St Vital mall--with all the most expensive stores you can imagine all set in a Venetian theme. Real canals, with gondoliers singing and taking folks on trips. We had dinner in the food court--really good Vietnamese. After donating a bit there, we came back to the MGM Grand, walked around outside a bit, got some wine and nibblies and rested for the remains of the evening.
Breakfast--a superb buffet. Then, we took a taxi across the peninsula to the Maritime Museum and the A-Ma Temple. Fantastic models of ships, important maritime events and fishing from Macau's history. A-Ma is the Chinese Protector of Fishermen and the Temple is a must see. We hopped a local bus and took a ride to the shopping area and wandered around the tiny, crowded streets. Back to the MGM Grand to pick up our backpacks and then the Jetfoil back to Hong Kong and here we are!
A most wonderful 2 days.
Macau is a separate Special Administrative Region from Hong Kong, so you have to go through Immigration and Customs on both sides and both ways. So we did! The Jetfoil is a hydrofoil-type boat (not a hovercraft), carrying 228 people and going at 47 knots. You "fly" above the waves and it is quite smooth. It has a jet engine powering the propellers, so it sounds like one. Anyway, smooth, fast (about an hour), comfortable trips both ways.
The MGM Grand in Macau is, in fact, Grand. First ever ***** hotel we've stayed in. (We were there on a package deal--transportation, hotel, breakfast for $C312 all-in total--they must be feeling the turndown!) 16th floor looking South over water to the other Macau Island, plasma TV, motorized curtain covering plexiglass separating the bathroom from the rest of the suite, big bathtub, twin sinks, etc. etc.. Main lobby had a Chihouly (glass sculpture) hanging from the ceiling, many examples around and a Chihouly shop too--sadly, way, way, WAY above our means, but we took pictures. The atrium connecting the hotel to the casino was 3 or 4 stories high and decorated to look like Lisbon--one end was, according to a Scot we spoke with, exactly like the train station in Lisbon--and he's seen both. The casino was huge. We had a very late and expensive dim sum lunch and after donating some money to "the cause", we left!
And went to the Venetian, another casino, that was the biggest casino we've ever seen. And above it, a shopping mall--think 4 or 5 times the size of St Vital mall--with all the most expensive stores you can imagine all set in a Venetian theme. Real canals, with gondoliers singing and taking folks on trips. We had dinner in the food court--really good Vietnamese. After donating a bit there, we came back to the MGM Grand, walked around outside a bit, got some wine and nibblies and rested for the remains of the evening.
Breakfast--a superb buffet. Then, we took a taxi across the peninsula to the Maritime Museum and the A-Ma Temple. Fantastic models of ships, important maritime events and fishing from Macau's history. A-Ma is the Chinese Protector of Fishermen and the Temple is a must see. We hopped a local bus and took a ride to the shopping area and wandered around the tiny, crowded streets. Back to the MGM Grand to pick up our backpacks and then the Jetfoil back to Hong Kong and here we are!
A most wonderful 2 days.
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Big Buddah
We started off the day by taking our dirty clothes in to a Chinese Laundry ;->
Then, a couple of subway rides over to Lantau Island to take a cable car ride (5.5kms) over to Ngong Ping village, the Po Lin Monastery and "The Big" Tian Tan Buddah. The cable car climbs over 500 ear-popping meters up and gives an astonishing view of the International Airport. The village is a commercial enterprise more than anything else, but the Tian Tan Buddah is on the top of a hill and is simply huge. (Technically, its 23 meters high, bronze and weighs 202 tons). We didn't climb the 260 steps to get next to it--it was big enough from where we were looking. The Monestery is an amazingly peaceful place with no incense allowed inside and ornate beyond written description.
We came back to Taikoo Shing and found a grocery store to buy some foodstuffs for supper, picked up our lovely clean clothes and headed back to Brian's beautiful flat. We had dinner and fresh strawberries for a treat and made some plans for our trip to Bangkok. We are looking forward to travelling there with experienced Thailand travellers, who will be able to guide us to the best sights, shopping and especially eating!
We are off to Macau tomorrow to stay in the MGM Grand for quick visit. It will only be one night but we will get to see the highlights of Macau, do a little gambling and travel in a Jetfoil!
Blog later,
Laurel and Michael
Then, a couple of subway rides over to Lantau Island to take a cable car ride (5.5kms) over to Ngong Ping village, the Po Lin Monastery and "The Big" Tian Tan Buddah. The cable car climbs over 500 ear-popping meters up and gives an astonishing view of the International Airport. The village is a commercial enterprise more than anything else, but the Tian Tan Buddah is on the top of a hill and is simply huge. (Technically, its 23 meters high, bronze and weighs 202 tons). We didn't climb the 260 steps to get next to it--it was big enough from where we were looking. The Monestery is an amazingly peaceful place with no incense allowed inside and ornate beyond written description.
We came back to Taikoo Shing and found a grocery store to buy some foodstuffs for supper, picked up our lovely clean clothes and headed back to Brian's beautiful flat. We had dinner and fresh strawberries for a treat and made some plans for our trip to Bangkok. We are looking forward to travelling there with experienced Thailand travellers, who will be able to guide us to the best sights, shopping and especially eating!
We are off to Macau tomorrow to stay in the MGM Grand for quick visit. It will only be one night but we will get to see the highlights of Macau, do a little gambling and travel in a Jetfoil!
Blog later,
Laurel and Michael
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Jumbo for Brunch
Sunday brunch at the Jumbo floating restaurant in Aberdeen (on the south shore), champagne, seafood, desserts, WOW. Brian's friends Mhairi and Jean invited us to brunch. It was delicious and fun. Apparently it was noted for tourist tack and bad food in the past and most HK residents would not be caught dead there but it has been transformed into a very upscale destination and many ex-pat folks go there for a Sunday Brunch/family outing. We got there via cab-ride through the amazing Aberdeen Tunnel which goes under the mountains that are in the center of the island--just under 10 minutes at 70km. After brunch, the 3 of us went for a foot massage--lots of strong poking and prodding, but it felt nice--and the boys went back to Brian's. We all met up again for happy hour and supper at Brian's and lots of talk. Mhairi and Jean own a 6 acre chestnut ranch in New Zealand, to which they are going to retire--but being absentee landlords to a rental property has its challenges. They also had some quite positive health care experiences in HK--professional scientific treatments with healing helped along by the traditional post-operative therapeutic viewing of whatever bits were surgically removed (!?!?!). Anyway, a grand evening with friends.
Tomorrow, we are going to arrange an overnight to Macau. Thanks for the comments here and emails to our regular addresses--its great to hear the news from home.
Tomorrow, we are going to arrange an overnight to Macau. Thanks for the comments here and emails to our regular addresses--its great to hear the news from home.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Stanley Market, Ching Ming and backstreet Hong Kong at night
Saturday...what great day. We set out on the crack of 10am and took the MTR to Chai Wan where it became evident that we were travelling with half of Hong Kong. The day to take care of ancestors graves (Ching Ming) is very important to the people and they travel to the cemetaries to clean up, place flowers and have picnics. The organization is amazing, many folks, including the polce, were directing traffic and the roads were very busy. We took a mini bus to Stanley Market, did a little shopping, and had a pub lunch. The pace is much more relaxed there and the main roads are blocked to traffic. We wandered over to a local beach andwatched people learning to sail and wind surf! The bus back to central took us past Repulse Bay, a beach area with some very posh homes.
After a little restorative nap we took a taxi to Central where we had drinks at the Fringe Club, a terrace on the roof surrounded by skyscrapers. We saw a little of the famous light show, then walked though the narrow lanes of real Hong Hong to a hole in the wall restaurant where we had the most delicious dinner. It is a unique place that employs wait staff that are too old or otherwise unable to find work in the mainstream food industry. We ended the enjoyable evening at Club 71, where one of the patrons was Long Hair, a local politician who is quite famous for taking on the establishment as a voice of the people.
All in all a great day!
Laurel and Michael
After a little restorative nap we took a taxi to Central where we had drinks at the Fringe Club, a terrace on the roof surrounded by skyscrapers. We saw a little of the famous light show, then walked though the narrow lanes of real Hong Hong to a hole in the wall restaurant where we had the most delicious dinner. It is a unique place that employs wait staff that are too old or otherwise unable to find work in the mainstream food industry. We ended the enjoyable evening at Club 71, where one of the patrons was Long Hair, a local politician who is quite famous for taking on the establishment as a voice of the people.
All in all a great day!
Laurel and Michael
Friday, April 3, 2009
Hong Kong, Peak Tram, Kowloon: April 2 and 3
Combining the stories of 2 days....Yesterday we took the tram (slow electric powered antique transport) from Tai Ko Shing to Central for an adventure up the Bank of China to the 44th floor...WOW. Smoggy but amazing views. Free ,too! Had a hamburger lunch at a Canadian fast food place and wandered through Hong Kong Park. It is quite near the Peak Tram and is an oasis in the middle of the insanity of Central HK. The park has a conservatory, kids play areas and the largest walk through aviary I have ever seen. It is massive with walkways at treetop level and 600 birds flying around. We took the Peak Tram to the top of Hong Kong Island, very steep but interesting ride. The top has a lot of shopping and restaurants and not too much else. Smoggy views so not much to see.
Today, April 3, we took the MTR (subway) over to Kowloon to see the Hong Kong Museum of History. What an amazing place....very well done with excellent displays of life in the city from ancient times to today. One of the best museums I have ever seen. We walked down Nathan road, looked at the Peninsula Hotel, refused copy Rolex's, custom suits, copy purses, etc, etc.
Thats all for now...plan to go shopping at Stanley Market tomorrow....need to restup!
Laurel and Michael
Today, April 3, we took the MTR (subway) over to Kowloon to see the Hong Kong Museum of History. What an amazing place....very well done with excellent displays of life in the city from ancient times to today. One of the best museums I have ever seen. We walked down Nathan road, looked at the Peninsula Hotel, refused copy Rolex's, custom suits, copy purses, etc, etc.
Thats all for now...plan to go shopping at Stanley Market tomorrow....need to restup!
Laurel and Michael
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
What Museum of Coastal Defence??
Sadly the Museum of Coastal Defence will remain a mystery as it was too far to walk with flip flops. We had a very slow day but got some groceries at the Wellcome Supermarket and some new shoes at the Marks and Spencer.
Today,however, we have plans to take the tram to Central and wander through Hong Kong Park and if the visability improves we will take the Peak Tram and walk back down.
Hong Kong is amazing....masses of people all rushing and talking on cell phones. Huge blocks of apartments all grouped together around central park like spaces. The shops are either small local vendors, or huge malls with Timberland, Colombia, Roots, etc. Brian says they are rapidly taking down much of the remaining green space. He has an area of trees across the street which may soon be used for apartments.
We are having a really good visit with Brian. On the weekend we are going to visit Stanley Market and have a brunch on a floating restaurant...Fun.
Hope the Winnipeg world is OK and the snow is not too bad!
Laurel and Michael
Today,however, we have plans to take the tram to Central and wander through Hong Kong Park and if the visability improves we will take the Peak Tram and walk back down.
Hong Kong is amazing....masses of people all rushing and talking on cell phones. Huge blocks of apartments all grouped together around central park like spaces. The shops are either small local vendors, or huge malls with Timberland, Colombia, Roots, etc. Brian says they are rapidly taking down much of the remaining green space. He has an area of trees across the street which may soon be used for apartments.
We are having a really good visit with Brian. On the weekend we are going to visit Stanley Market and have a brunch on a floating restaurant...Fun.
Hope the Winnipeg world is OK and the snow is not too bad!
Laurel and Michael
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