Map of Hong Kong - we were mostly on Hong Kong Island |
Flag of Hong Kong - not much in use since China took over
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Hong Kong license plate - obviously different from mainland China |
Another cable-stayed bridge seen on the ride from the airport
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Interesting wire sculpture outside a very fancy mall
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Public works everywhere
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We met Michael and our group and he went with us to the Stanley Market by bus #6. The market was interesting. Souvenirs, electronics, carpet, silk hangings, and lots of rather nice clothes were for sale. We walked along the waterfront promenade. We met Michael for the bus ride back and were glad we waited for him because the bus had to detour around the mountain since the student protesters had blocked the tunnel with cinder blocks. The ride was like a roller coaster ride and we sat in the top of the double-decker bus. The ride also allowed us to see the ritzy resort area of HK with its sandy beaches.
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Map of Stanley Bay area
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Boats on Stanley Bay |
Wed., 10/15/14 – Hong Kong
This morning Rick, our local guide, took us on our city tour. We took part of the 800 meters of escalators that is the longest covered open-air escalator in the world (according to Rick). I think this area is called Ladder Street. Since Hong Kong Island is a steep and hilly rock island, some of the “streets” are cut out of stone and people walk up and down each day or ride the convenient elevators. Then we walked through a food market. Styrofoam containers are picked up at the harbor and the food is sold along several blocks of streets in the area. These open markets are now competing with small supermarkets.
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Mexican is everywhere |
Open-air escalator
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Local market street |
Fish market
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All kinds of eggs |
Don't remember the name
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Informative sign - remember HK belonged to the Brits so things are in English
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Another street scene |
They really use birds' nests in cooking
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Interesting building |
Next we visited Man Mo Temple, a Taoist Temple. Taoism (or Daoism) is a philosophy more than a religion and is based on the balance of nature and Yin and Yang. Incense is burned to ask for good luck and health, etc. and prediction sticks are used to make wise choices in things like. After praying, a jar of 100+ sticks is shaken until one stick falls out. It will have a number on it that refers to a poem or story. The seeker then consults an interpreter who will tell him the poem and help him with the meaning of that poem. It is like seeking an answer from an oracle. |
Taoist Temple - Man Mo Temple
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Temple interior
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Restoring gold lettering |
Another interesting sign
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Hollywood Road has nothing to do with movies. All the holly wood trees were cut down along this path to make a way to move cargo from the harbor.
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The Demonstration - not very exciting but hugely disruptive
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Bamboo scaffolding |
Bamboo scaffolding
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Bamboo scaffolding |
We had a ride in a sampan boat to look at the fishing village in Aberdeen harbor. For 400 years, fishing families have lived on boats in this part of the harbor. They only come on shore to sell their fish. We looked at the horrible living conditions on all of these boats. A barge is set up for toilets (right!).
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Sampan excursion boats
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Sampan excursion boat |
Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant in Aberdeen Harbor |
Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant in Aberdeen Harbor
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Fishing village in Aberdeen Harbor |
Fishing village in Aberdeen Harbor
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Fishing village in Aberdeen Harbor
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Fishing village in Aberdeen Harbor |