Hong Kong

NOTE: unfortunately, I don't know how to cut and paste for the links today....

Well, we have been in Hong Kong for a few days now and have made three separate forays downtown. The first was to set the Chinese visa application process in motion. We had to take a bus, a train and 3 different subways lines to get there, but we are slowly figuring out how to get places with fewer connections. At first, you just try to get somewhere, but after a while you start to understand the lay of the land better.

Yesterday we went downtown on Hong Kong Island. We visited Hong Kong Park with its aviary but we missed the museum of Teaware. We will be returning to rectify the omission...

After the park, we took the Peak Tram (worth googling - peak tram Hong Kong ...) up the hill to see the vista. The tram ride is VERY impressive in it's steepness. Jacob was a bit worried about the downhill section, but you face uphill on both journeys, so you aren't really aware of the true horror of your situation. The view from the top is great. You can see all the skyscrapers of the downtown with the harbour behind. The hill itself is all woodland and there was a hawk circling above the forest beside the building you are in.

They have more skyscrapers here than I have ever seen (including Manhattan). Some of them are really works of art. The Hong Kong Bank building (ultramodern) and the old skyscraper from the mid 1900's right next door were worth the trip downtown alone.

Today we went to the Kowloon side of downtown Hong Kong and visited the Space Museum. It proved captivating for several hours for the kids. Apparetly stars are on the science curriculum Heather is missing, so -- bonus points. We went to a pasta restaurant for lunch. By the time we left the museum it was 3 o'clock. At the end of the meal Jacob said "who ever heard of lunch at 4 o'clock" and Alan said "no-one, thats why we will call it supper". So we are home, full of pasta and ready to plan tomorrow....