Hong Kong

We left Hua Hin about 10 a.m. This picture was taken at our stop to get gas and to cool off. The lady was so nice to take it for us but all four had her finger at the top. :) 

You might not be able to tell but I have a backpack on and it's 97 degrees. The ride is 3 hours ... did I say it's 97 degrees? What were we thinking?? And yes, I don't have a helmet and it wasn't very smart BUT when in Thailand ... Do as they do, right? It's the law, loosely monitored, that drivers where a helmet ... riders don't have to. I did wear my Tilly hat to protect me from the sun!! 

It was "the" most horrendous ride once we got close to Bangkok, stop and go traffic and the sun nearly killed us. Pat had to drop me off at a train station near my airport. It was another hour ride. Pat left from a different airport as we were coming back to different areas, him to Bangkok and me straight to Chiang Mai. Once I got on my flight I was a sweaty, gross mess. I felt sorry for the person beside me on the plane.

We made it to Hong Kong at about 11:30 p.m. and to our hotel about midnight. We were exhausted. Here's a video of our place!

Chungking Mansions - Hong Kong

It really wasn't that bad ... just close quarters. We slept well and left early the next morning to tour the city. We were actually in Kowloon. A narrow body of water separates Hong Kong Island from Kowloon, Victoria Harbour. I learned this is the deepest natural maritime port in the world. I is smart!

When we left the next morning ... the "mansion" was very still and quiet. There wasn't anyone out front accosting you with their wares (copy watches, copy designer bags, or wanting to make you a suit). Pat did get a new nickname "Big Boss". It fit him to a tee ... I think I'll call him that from now on. "Hey Big Boss, what do you want to do for dinner?" It just sounds nice don't you think? :)

 

 Pat with one of his favorite movie stars, Bruce Lee. They had a walkway of asian stars ... just like Hollywood.





















The best part of Hong Kong was taking a Big Red Bus Tour. This helped us get to see everything we could in the 3 days we were here. We went up Victoria Peak on a tram and because we bought the tour, we didn't have to wait in line .... which would have been about 45 minutes. The ride gave you a beautiful view of Hong Kong ... but it was smfoggy... which means we didn't know if it was fog or smog. :)

This was the view .... smfoggy.

We decided to get lunch while up on the peak. Doesn't this look amazing? It was!

Because we are in such great shape and wanted to get a bit of exercise. We decided we could walk down from Victoria Peak. It was only about 4 kilometers but it was the steepest trail I've ever been on ... even Black Butte doesn't compare. It took us a little over an hour. My calves and shins hurt for 3 days ... guess I need to start working out.

This was one of the flowers along the way down. If Aunt Anita were with us she would have told us what it was. I asked Pat and he said, "it's a flower".  Can't argue with that!

The buildings in Hong Kong are spectacular ... This is the Liposuction building. Not really but what else does Lippo stand for? 

This was taken on Victoria Peak. The observation deck is on top. Isn't Pat handsome? And yes, he has a murse (man purse). Oh, he says it's a messenger bag but we know it's a purse. ;)

One of the side dishes we had with our dim sum, baby cucumbers which were very tasty.

One of the bars we saw on the way down the mountain. The sign caught our attention. I'm sure some of gentlemen at the Senior Center wouldn't read between the lines and would get all excited. ;)

A beautiful view of the harbor and Hong Kong from the ferry. 

Our time in Hong Kong wasn't very long but it gave us a glimpse of a very active city with over 7 million people living in about 430 square miles. I hope to go back one day mainly to go to Disneyland ....