Our visit to Hong Kong was too short for all the sights and adventures we could experience. We arrived very early in the morning and sailed through the very busy waterways of Victoria Harbor. We docked in Kowloon, across the harbor from Hong Kong which is an island. A picture of the Hong Kong skyline taken from our ship.
On our first day we decided to visit the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island. Most of you know we don’t do organized tours so we set off on our own for a combination subway and Ngong Ping Cable car. The subway system is very modern, easy to use and clean. This is an entry way to the station. Note the lane control signs on the ceiling.
A picture inside the subway. It is one long articulated train, not individual cars as in the US. You can walk form one end to the other with no problem. In the upper right you can see an electronic map that shows where you are and the next stop. You also get very clear multi-language announcements
Some pictures from the train. A major cemetery.
One of the sampan towns you hear about in Hong Kong.
You may have heard of Disney Hong Kong. Our train passed though the transfer station to the dedicated Disney train.
We didn’t realize what they meant when mentioning a cable car. You know how Noreen likes heights…..NOT! It is a 25 minute, 5.7km ride that goes kind of high over land and water. Some shots of the trip.
Climbing up showing Hong Kong International Airport, town of Tung Chung, and the Tung Chung Bay.
Noreen smiling and “enjoying” the trip. She made me sit down and stop rocking the car. We could have taken a car with a clear floor but that was a real no go.
Finally the Giant Buddha comes into view.
On arrival as we get ready to start the long walk to the Buddha.
Information on Giant Buddha at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/outlying-giant-buddha.html
The town area supporting the Buddha and the Po Lon Monastery.
Noreen getting her sense of humor back after the cable car ride.
Directions are easy to find.
It’s a long way up to the Buddha, at least 200 steps.
Finally at the top looking back.
The Buddha is an active religious site and photography was limited. We went inside the Buddha which has two floors, a museum, and prayer alcove. No pictures allowed inside.
The pedestal had a number of status signifying different aspect of the religion.
Heading back I understand the pets but I wonder who brings livestock on to the cable car???
You may ask what made Noreen willing to get on the cable car to return. Well, after our cultural trip it was time for the markets. Our first stop was the Kowloon Night Market.
Restaurants at the start of the market.
Note the Circle K
The next day we were only in Hong Kong until early afternoon when the ship sailed. We decided to go to the Stanley Market which was located on the other side of Hong Kong. We first had to take one of the famous Star Ferries which have served the Hong Kong area forever. This is a picture of one of the ferries passing our ship. The sign on our ship reads, “Security Warning – Stay 50 Meters Away.”
We also had the more traditional Junk ship design passing by.
This is a Junk going around cleaning debris from the Harbor.
By the Central Star Ferry Station on Hong Kong.
After crossing the Harbor by ferry we had a 45 minute bus ride to get to Stanley and the market. All the busses are modern and double decker.
Pictures from our bus trip. Where the average worker in Hong Kong lives.
The hole in this building is based on Fung Sway. People who live there will have health, wealth and happiness.
Our arrival at the Stanley Market.
As a discerning shopper Noreen says she can see the difference between the various markets. It all looks like the same stuff to me.
On our trip back to the ship. A usual Hong Kong Street.
Another cemetery.
We took the more traditional ferry but you can see there is a tunnel back to Kowloon.
Very wide modern avenues and many over passes for pedestrians.
Some Yuppie type housing on the outskirts.
The famous Hong Kong Clock Tower.
Land is very scarce and they build up not out. I’ve never seen office and apartment buildings as tall as is normal here.
The convention center if you ever come here for a conference.
The Hong Kong skyline at night as we get ready to sail away.
Onward to Vietnam. Hope you enjoyed this trip to Hong Kong.
On our first day we decided to visit the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island. Most of you know we don’t do organized tours so we set off on our own for a combination subway and Ngong Ping Cable car. The subway system is very modern, easy to use and clean. This is an entry way to the station. Note the lane control signs on the ceiling.
A picture inside the subway. It is one long articulated train, not individual cars as in the US. You can walk form one end to the other with no problem. In the upper right you can see an electronic map that shows where you are and the next stop. You also get very clear multi-language announcements
Some pictures from the train. A major cemetery.
One of the sampan towns you hear about in Hong Kong.
You may have heard of Disney Hong Kong. Our train passed though the transfer station to the dedicated Disney train.
We didn’t realize what they meant when mentioning a cable car. You know how Noreen likes heights…..NOT! It is a 25 minute, 5.7km ride that goes kind of high over land and water. Some shots of the trip.
Climbing up showing Hong Kong International Airport, town of Tung Chung, and the Tung Chung Bay.
Noreen smiling and “enjoying” the trip. She made me sit down and stop rocking the car. We could have taken a car with a clear floor but that was a real no go.
Finally the Giant Buddha comes into view.
On arrival as we get ready to start the long walk to the Buddha.
Information on Giant Buddha at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/outlying-giant-buddha.html
The town area supporting the Buddha and the Po Lon Monastery.
Noreen getting her sense of humor back after the cable car ride.
Directions are easy to find.
It’s a long way up to the Buddha, at least 200 steps.
Finally at the top looking back.
The Buddha is an active religious site and photography was limited. We went inside the Buddha which has two floors, a museum, and prayer alcove. No pictures allowed inside.
The pedestal had a number of status signifying different aspect of the religion.
Heading back I understand the pets but I wonder who brings livestock on to the cable car???
You may ask what made Noreen willing to get on the cable car to return. Well, after our cultural trip it was time for the markets. Our first stop was the Kowloon Night Market.
Restaurants at the start of the market.
Note the Circle K
The next day we were only in Hong Kong until early afternoon when the ship sailed. We decided to go to the Stanley Market which was located on the other side of Hong Kong. We first had to take one of the famous Star Ferries which have served the Hong Kong area forever. This is a picture of one of the ferries passing our ship. The sign on our ship reads, “Security Warning – Stay 50 Meters Away.”
We also had the more traditional Junk ship design passing by.
This is a Junk going around cleaning debris from the Harbor.
By the Central Star Ferry Station on Hong Kong.
After crossing the Harbor by ferry we had a 45 minute bus ride to get to Stanley and the market. All the busses are modern and double decker.
Pictures from our bus trip. Where the average worker in Hong Kong lives.
The hole in this building is based on Fung Sway. People who live there will have health, wealth and happiness.
Our arrival at the Stanley Market.
As a discerning shopper Noreen says she can see the difference between the various markets. It all looks like the same stuff to me.
On our trip back to the ship. A usual Hong Kong Street.
Another cemetery.
We took the more traditional ferry but you can see there is a tunnel back to Kowloon.
Very wide modern avenues and many over passes for pedestrians.
Some Yuppie type housing on the outskirts.
The famous Hong Kong Clock Tower.
Land is very scarce and they build up not out. I’ve never seen office and apartment buildings as tall as is normal here.
The convention center if you ever come here for a conference.
The Hong Kong skyline at night as we get ready to sail away.
Onward to Vietnam. Hope you enjoyed this trip to Hong Kong.
It seems so bustling during any time!! Evan is on spring break this week and we are having gorgeous weather so we are planning on being outside lots...were there many parks around Hong Kong? didn't see much "grass/trees". Hope you continue to enjoy the adventure!
ReplyDeleteLove to you both!