LEAF-go-VSO   

Hong Kong 2006

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View over Hong Kong Island to The Peak from Charlotte's flat at Leighton Hill

In the October Holiday 2006 we paid a visit to Ali's Aunt Charlotte who lives in Hong Kong. She lives in an amazing apartment in a high-rise block overlooking Happy Valley Racecourse, and she kindly let us stay with her for the week.

         
Lesley, Freda, Edie and Charlotte in the living room (left); Lesley giving Freda and Edie some swimming tips at Club Leighton (centre); Edie enjoys  a play-room with a view - Charlotte's living room on the 25th floor (right)

   

The Happy Valley trams

Day 1

       
Taking the tram towards Central for a ride on the famous Star Ferry to Kowloon side (right)

   
Star Ferry views

On Saturday we had intended to take a ferry out to Lamma Island for a walk and seafood lunch...but we were all a bit frazzled after our journey so we settled for the shorter Star Ferry crossing from Hong Kong Island across Victoria Harbour to Kowloon on the Chinese mainland.

Day 2

       
Freda and Edie at Hong Kong Wetland Park, New Territories (left); Savoring Dim Sum at a small cafe (right)

On Sunday Charlotte drove us into the New Territories to visit the recently opened (6 months ago) Hong Kong Wetland Park. We saw a captive Estuarine Crocodile as well lots of other interesting birds and animals before we escaped the crowds to a dim sum restaurant.

       
At the Wetland Park: A Sand Crab on the edge of a mangrove inlet area (left); a Great Egret (centre); a Mud Skipper (right)

   
Chinese National Day (October 1st) fireworks over Victoria Harbour from the Royal HK Yacht Club.

Day 3

       
Freda cooling off at St Stephen's Beach (right); Edie looking for shells (right)

Monday saw us heading to the beach, driven by Charlotte. St. Stephen's Beach near Stanley proved to be an excellent venue with clean sand, nearby parking, lifeguards, and a shark-proof swimming area. The South China Sea seemed to be warmer than the water in Charlotte's pool. This was our first foray to the beach since a picnic at Chanonry Point on the Black Isle 14 months ago!

Day 4

       
The LIPPO Centre (left); inside the Hong Kong Park Aviary (centre); a helpful sign in Hong Kong Park (right)

       
Lesley and Edie on the Peak Tram (left); a view over Hong Kong Island from The Peak (centre); Freda and Edie demonstrating that they don't experience vertigo! (left)

Tuesday's itinenary included visiting Hong Kong Park and taking the Peak Tram (actually a funicular) up the Peak. The tramway was opened in May 1888 and the cars were originally made of wood (carrying less than 50 passengers), powered by coal-fired steam boilers. Nowadays the tram is aluminium, can carry 120 passengers, and has computer control technology. The track is 1.4km long with a gradient of between 4 and 27 degrees, rising from 28m to 396m above sea level. The haulage rope is 44mm in diameter with a breaking force of 139 tonnes!

Day 5

One of Hong Kong's numerous bilingual signs - very handy!

On Wednesday we jumped on a bus heading
through HK island to Aberdeen
where we visited Ocean Park, an enormous
theme and animal conservation park.

Hong Kong Jockey Club and Happy Valley Race Course

As we staggered back to the flat at 9pm we noticed that the Happy Valley horseracing meeting was in full swing (as it is every Wednesday night). We watched a couple of races live, then reverted to TV viewing, but didn't get as far as placing any bets. It had been a long day! The Happy Valley Racecourse held its first meeting in 1846. The HK Jockey Club's annual betting turnover exceeds HK$65 billion, one of the highest in the world, and its average betting turnover per race is the highest globally. The Chinese certainly like their betting - and this is one of the few places they can do it legally!

Day 6

Rest Day: went to the Post Office - that was certainly a culture shock!

Day 7

   
Another view from Charlotte's apartment (left); Charlotte seeing us off at China Ferry Terminal, Edie already asleep in the buggy (right)

So, farewell to Hong Kong and a tearful goodbye to Auntie Charlotte at the China Ferry Terminal - thanks Charlotte for making us so welcome and looking after us like royalty. We're looking forward to returning the favour when you come to see us in Simao!