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| Ms Amsterdam in Hong Kong |
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| morning view from our veranda |
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| transportation |
At 0530 I awoke feeling something different was afoot. Parting the curtains I looked out to see buildings going by not too far off. Looking down I saw a small freighter motoring along. We were entering the Hong Kong area of the Peoples' Republic of China. I went back to bed. At 0615 I couldn't sleep any more so jumped up, shaved and went on the veranda to watch our arrival. It was hazy and cool and dark out, except for the lights of the city. Shipping was moving up and down the harbor already, though it never stops. We came in to the Kowloon (mainland) side and up to Victoria Harbor to Ocean terminal. Off the terminal we turned 130º to starboard and slid up to the terminal pier, tying up at about 0710. With the port side to the terminal, our being on the starboard side gave us a view of the channel and Hong Kong island and the city skyscrapers. This is one of the best views of the city to be had from a ship.
After clearing with authorities headed ashore with friends Hamiltons and Caldwells. A short walk through the terminal took us to the Star Ferry pier where we boarded an old ferry for a short crossing of the channel to the Hong Kong island side Pier 7 “Central.” Two taxis were engaged and off we went through traffic and crossed the island to Stanley Market where we were deposited at the pedestrian street of the market area. The market is a warren of stalls and small shops with a few cafes thrown in. The gals began shopping and the guys carried bags. The clothing and accessories were beautiful and the prices reasonable. After a couple of hours we took a lunch break (and Tsing Tao beer) and the shopping continued until close to 5pm. The gals had planned for some time to shop Stanley Market and enjoyed the experience. The guys enjoyed the day also with the stalls, the ebb and flow of people and the talk over cold beer.
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| stall at Stanley Market |
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| Stanley Market |
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| downtown Hong Kong |
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| downtown Hong Kong |
When the job was completed we found cabs and reversed our course back to the ship. Now it was rush hour. Not a problem and we made good time. We opted for a quick dinner aboard so we could catch the show. At 2000 with our friends we were on our veranda to watch the show which happens every night at 8pm. Most of the major buildings in Hong Kong come alive with neon lighting and lasers atop several buildings shoot colored beams to the sky in a rotating light show. With a 180º panorama of lights over the passing shipping, the neon signs proclaiming major corporations and hotels, and the beams of lasers, the show was spectacular. After the show the gals went back ashore to the Art Market which is rumored to be open until 2200 (10pm).
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| light show from our veranda |
The city is busy and clean. Transportation is by double deck bus, taxi, ferry, a commuter rail system or just hoofing it.
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