After five weeks in Europe it’s time to head home. However we got a layover deal with Cathay so where in Hong Kong for a few days. Our hotel is just a block from the Star Ferry Terminal in Kowloon. I was in Hong Kong twenty odd years ago and other than the Star Ferry it’s unrecognisable. Anyway we are up early and on the Ferry to Hong Kong Island. A typhoon warning has been issued but so far it’s just a breeze.
Once off the Ferry we jump the bus for Stanley, it’s a scenic ride as the bus weaves and winds it way around the island. It’s very hot and steamy already as we wander the markets. As usual Pam’s looking for something a little special. After a coffee we head to the bus stop and make our way back to Causeway Bay. From there we head to the Peak Tram terminal. There is a queue of very pushy Chinese tourist but we make our way onto a tram after 15 minutes.
The track is surprising steep as we rubble up the mountain to the peak. The are several opportunities to catch a glimpses of the city, Kowloon and the New Territories. Once off the Tram we do the eight elevators to the top of the tower and the viewing platform. The view is fabulous though it could be better without the haze.
Hong Kong. 2011
The next day we take the Star Ferry again then transfer to another ferry at Causeway Bay. This time to Lamma Island. Our plan is to get the ferry to one side of the island, then walk across have lunch and return to Hong Kong from the other side. It’s hot and humid and it’s quite a hike up the hill and across. However the view is great, we pass some little beaches and a couple of small villages. We lunch in a seafood restuarant on the waters edge, with a couple of beers it’s a very mellow afternoon. We catch our ferry home for an afternoon nap, before heading into Kowloon for the night.
Our next adventure was a day in Macau. No Star Ferry today as the ferry to Macau departs from the Kowloon side. The ferry takes just over an hour, but the new port is on Taipa and we must catch a bus into Macau. The casinos run free bus shuttles so we wait 20 minutes for a free bus rather than a taxi. Once we escape the casino the rest of our day is spent walking the sights. This included Senado Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Ruins of St.Pauls and Fortaleza do Monte. Pam does a little shopping and buys her new favourite bag. It’s a ‘fortune duck’ bag from the ‘fortune duck’ shop !
Its our last day in Hong Kong, but our flight doesn’t leave until just before midnight. We pack up and check out of the hotel after our morning walk and breakfast. We catch a taxi to the airport line railway station, Cathay have a check-in counter there. Now bag free and with no particular plan we catch a train to Lantau Island. We have seen some posters for the gondola around the place and we think why not. We arrive at Tung Chung station. It looks like a whole brand new city has just been placed here, everything is new. After working out the ticket process we are on the Gondola across the bay. The gondola traverses the bay, crosses two mountain peaks before arriving at Ngong Ping. Personally I think it’s one of the most incredible pieces of engineering I have ever seen. We walk through a very touristy set of stall selling souvenirs before confronting the longest staircase you’ll ever see. It’s a hot and steamy climb but we are rewarded with some wonderful views and the Budda itself. We make an offering in the Temple before starting the long trip home to Sydney. What a day !
