Friday, May 2, 2008
Hong Kong
They aren’t kidding when they say the view from here is astonishing. Even with the haze that’s part of daily life, Victoria Peak is easily among the top handful of perches in the world. And for those of you who are wondering—yes, I was dangling over the railing when I took this. Couldn’t help it. The altitude makes you think you can fly.
The only downside to the Peak? The recent addition of a massive shopping mall that the tram feeds directly into. Forgive me if I think having a Bubba Gump restaurant at the top of Hong Kong’s crown jewel is four shades of tacky. But it is.
The nicest surprise? A long, winding wooded path that wraps around the Peak, through some of the most amazing examples of plant life I’ve ever seen. The tropical humidity is so pronounced that even rocks sprout plant life, in lovely, delicate shapes and colors, enveloped in cool shade, filled with chirping birds.
Quite a yin and yang, between the city below and the path above. Very, very Hong Kong.
Again.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Hong Kong
The ride to the top of Victoria Peak from Central is a doozie. You’re on a tram that’s packed to the gills like a can of sardines, lumbering up the tallest mountain in Hong Kong. About half way up, you realize the buildings are all leaning at weird angles.
That is, until it occurs to you the tram is what’s leaning at an angle…which means you’re leaning at an angle. As in at a full blown 45 degree tilt. Pretty amazing sensation (and valid reason to hope the maintenance team is a good one).
Friday, May 2, 2008
Hong Kong
I love touring churches. There’s a beautiful tranquility and peace that inhabits sacred places. So of course, stumbling across St. John’s Cathedral on the way to the Victoria Peak tram station was a real thrill. The bummer? No photos allowed inside. (Note to Mom: The nice man who shooed me off in Mandarin was really sweet about the whole thing. See photo.)
St. John’s, in spite of its diminutive size, is a survivor. Originally built in 1847 as the first Anglican church in the Far East, it was occupied during World War II by the Japanese, who turned it into a Shinto Shrine. After the war, well…. Let’s just say we Episcopalians don’t let go of our churches. It reverted right back to Christ’s home, and remains the seat of Hong Kong’s Archbishop.
If you ever have a chance to pop in, do it. You won’t regret it. Just put the Nikon away first.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Hong Kong
If there’s one thing you can’t miss in Hong Kong right now, it’s the arrival of the Olympic torch. Today, it runs through the streets with much pomp and circumstance. We were all invited to join in the festivities, but the combination of a State Department warning to U.S. citizens and my determination to see Victoria’s Peak and Kowloon today trumped the option. The closest I came was this cheering section along the torch route at the Central MTR station.
Still, the locals are pretty excited about their day in the sun, as well as China’s role as host of the games (remember, technically, HK returned to China with the British handoff in ‘97). Tibet might as well be on Jupiter, as far as folks here are concerned; the city is fueled on 100% joy right now.
A major part of that joy stems from the fact Hong Kong still considers itself “Not Chinese” by most (read: all) standards…and the locals make sure you know it. There’s a lot of national pride here, but it definitely doesn’t come from the mother country.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Hong Kong
Well, this is it. My last day in Hong Kong. Since Isaac and Sarah fly out today, we decided to enjoy our last breakfast feast together (have I told you how much I LOVE those eggroll thingies?). It occurred to me mid-meal just how much I’ll miss these two—exploring the city with new friends I enjoy so much has been a lovely, unexpected gift.
Said our farewells, got my bags packed so I don’t have to sweat it out tonight, then took off for what’s bound to be a cool day—figuratively speaking. The temp here may be comfortable, but the humidity is enough to wilt concrete.
Off to do my wilting, with a smile.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Macau
Found this open front shop nestled between two high priced jewelers on the main street in Macau. Only thing more interesting (in fish terms) was the shark fin shop seen earlier that day.
Tasty, I’m sure.
Wisely, we opted to meet Isaac at the hotel so the three of us could go to dinner in Causeway Bay. After a fair bit of searching (odd, given our location), we found a Chinese restaurant just before they closed.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Macau
While walking the steps up to the old fortress next to St. Paul’s, we happened upon a frequent site in China—groups of men gathered for chess, poker, or a simple afternoon chat. Here, you can see their bird cages hung from the lower branches of the tree, something common on these types of afternoon outings.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Macau
Built in the late 1500s, then burned to the ground in 1835, this is the most sought after site in Macau. The stone wall is only the beginning; you can see the original footings, some of the crypts, and other remains of the old cathedral while walking what was the original interior. You can’t help but feel the chills when seeing this monolithic facade standing in defiance of what destroyed the rest of the church.
Friday, May 2, 2008
