Day Thirteen : The sights and sounds of Hong Kong

A big day out in Hong Kong today, lots and lots of walking and we all ended the day with very tired feet. Hong Kong is a city of 7 million people and they all seem to be out and about on the streets. We:

- found a local restaurant for breakfast that served bacon and eggs ( after Marg, John and I had an early pre-breakfast of coffee and interesting toast)

- went shopping in the many malls and shops

- walked the streets, being asked frequently if we wanted a tailor or a watch or handbag. We all adopted various methods for saying no, depending on our level of frustration and/or persistence of the questioner. 

- found another local restaurant for lunch, it was busy so an indication the food is okay, and it was. Not sure about the lemon water that I ordered (menu didn't add that it was also full of sugar)

- caught the funicular (cable tram) up to the Peak, where you get to see the most amazing views of Hong Kong. We spent quite a considerable amount of time up there, with the recorded commentary to provide history of the city. 

- explored the mid-level escalators, which take you up the streets of Hong Kong without having to walk up the hills, you do have to walk back down though. In the mornings (till 10.00am) the escalators go in the opposite direction, so the workers can travel down the hills. Hong Kong Island is a very steep mountainous island.

- found another local restaurant for tea, this time Vietnamese, a challenge with seven hungry people with tired feet and not really sure where to go. The food was nice luckily and we all enjoyed our meal. 

- caught the train across the harbour and back again at various times during the day.

Walked down to the water front to watch the light show, 'Symphony of Lights' that happens every night at 8.00pm. Lots of laser lights, lights on different buildings, lighting up in time to music and of course lots of people watching. 

- sent the girls off to do more late night shopping (and we are heading out to do more tomorrow of course), Marg, Anthony, John and I came home to rest our weary feet and of course had a glass of wine and a packet of chips. We found a supermarket on the way home to buy snacks and fruit so we could wait till 9.00am for breakfast in the morning. Nothing opens till 11.00am or later so there is no point heading out to early anyway.

- we learnt that if you are polite and stand back to let someone through, then you could stand there all day while people push through and if you open a door, someone will always take advantage and push through. 

I'm sure I have left some things out ... the others will no doubt remind me so I can add them in later.

Highlight of the day : John using the hotel door key to go through the ticket machine at the station, he thought it worked on his second try .. it was actually Anthony who was standing behind him and presented his ticket that let john through. John had to then give Anthony his real train ticket so he could through. Gave us much joy all day laughing about that. Then last night Marnie gave Anhtony her train ticket so he could get back into the room when she went shopping. He had to go to the front desk and get an extra room key so he could get back in. (Like father like daughter).