Last day in Hong Kong

Ian was having a business session with William so I headed out to Hollywood Road (named long before Hollywood in the US was even thought of) when there are numerous antique markets, all rather interesting but cannot imagine that I would want any of it sitting on a shelf at home. Notice there was a Sun Year Sen museum soon went for a look see. Rather interesting in that very little of the display was about him, it was more relevant to the guy who owned the house “Kom Tong Hall”, A Ho Kom Tong owned this first house that blended Chinese and Western architectural styles and was cheaper for the government to use the house as the museum as it required so little because it had been looked after so well. Then information displayed was regarding building of the military academy of the Chinese nationalist party so as the establish a regular army. The training was both military and political and they help build a base camp for the revolution in the province.

Then continued to the Museum of Medical Sciences which covered the Black Pleasure of 1894 and also the man who encouraged the washing of hands in hospitals. He realized that patients attended by doctors following an autopsy had a higher mortality rate than patients being attended by midwives.  Midwives were not involved with autopsies and had an incredibly lower mortality rate.

Headed back to the hotel so we can be ready for eviction at 16:00.

 

 

Friday 3rd October in Hong Kong

Was an individual again today and did the Big B Bus tour over on mainland Kowloon. Caught the ferry from peer 7 and as I got off the ferry it started to rain. While getting instruction on where to catch the  Big B Bus, ponchos were provided so we would not get wet on the sudden downpours. As soon as I put it on, the rain stopped, as it should. Started witha complete tour around Kowloon (as my ticket expired at 12md).

Finally got off at the Sky100 which is the highest tower  in Hong Kong. The lift went from bottom to top in 60 seconds and my ears popped. As there was a Peak Rail ticket spare from yesterday, I got the free ride so up I went.  The single fare for each of the  Sky100 & the Peak funicular ride would have been $160HK –  whereas the Big B Bus ticket cost just $400HK for everything (rather economical).

Excellent 360° views (and could see our iBis hotel on Hong Kong island)  but a pity there was some smog around. Rode the lift back down and played on the underground to the Mong Kok markets via Central then wandered around enjoying the atmosphere and hassling. On the way to and from the markets, the train traveled through Admiralty station so if that is now open, the problem in the papers about demonstrators and teargas has dissipated. Took a tram ride home after getting off the train.

Whilst I was waiting to have dinner there were numerous flashes of lightning in the sky whilst I was talking pictures across the bay and this is the photo I got (much much brighter than any of the others).

Checked with reception for a local Chinese restaurant and off I went – not sure what I ordered but the head waiter seemed to realize and looked after me because I ate well and he was the only one with any splattering of English in the place. I realized during dinner that Ian had had a bad experience with a Chinese on a 2nd floor and wondered if this was where it was. Not sure but i certainly did OK.

 

Arrived Hong Kong – 1st October

Left: Taken whilst lightning flashed          and at Right:  2 seconds later in normal light

Went out to the airport on the train as it was a public holiday for their ‘National Day’ and this year it is 65 years, and we figured that with the hour and a half it took to get to the hotel, we may not get on the plane. We imagined all the people on the underground but were quite pleased with how quiet out was at 9:30. Within the 75 minutes we were at the airport and all finished in half an hour after that, ready for the plane.

It started to rain as we got on the plane so did not get wet but it poured after we were taxiing out to the runway. We had to wait a while and did not get in to Hong Kong until 5. Ian was offered an upgrade to a harbour view in the hotel for very little extra and instead of the 4th floor with views of buildings we are now on the 24th floor with a views of the harbour like this one.

When we got to the room duty manager rang us and said that that included breakfast also (the extra cost was in fact the cost of breakfast). So, after the last 2 last hotels in Russia, these last 2, especially this one has been excellent. When I was here last time I was in a hotel about 3 quarters across the photo.

This city is delightful to walk around at night, everyone well behaved, no drunks, no punch ups and many girls walking alone – seems similar to Singapore.  Look forward to seeing the town via the Big B red bus tomorrow.