Mark Smalley

Sunday, 3 Apr - Hong Kong
Clearer day this morning, we can see Victoria Peak from our hotel window and it's much clearer than yesterday.

Phone Vodafone customer support about lack of GPRS and they advise using another network (CSL), which solves the problem.

Walk though Kowloon Park and watch the tai chi and martial arts being practised.
Further down to the harbour, Star Ferry, walk to the tram that takes you up the 400 meters to Victoria Peak (www.thepeak.com.hk ). It's been running since 1888 and costs $20 each for a single. Notice on the ticket that Getronics is a sponsor. Good views but still a little hazy. Helicopters flying below us. Little chat with Chinese from San Francisco.
Plenty of joggers and runners as we walk down. Take a detour along a narrow concrete path on the side of the hill. End up at Old Peak Rd, very steep and taking us to the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Jaguar, birds, escaped parrot being recaptured.
Back to the hotel via Kowloon Park where we've just missed a weekly kung fu demonstration Have a bite to eat at the Cherry Garden Rest in Tak Hing St. Steamed chicken and noodle in soup, Barbequed pork and roasted goose mix with noodles and soup for $61 incl constant flow of tea.

Look at cameras in one of the many telephone/camera shops on Nathan Rd. Canon S70 for $3200, but $2800 if we buy today. Looked up price in NL: $539, so almost an extraordinary 50% cheaper.

Couple of beers from 7/11 shop (saw those in Australia as well), $12.

Phone an old friend to arrange meeting her for dinner.

Eat chicken with noodles and a deep fried chicken cake at the same place as last night, $55.
Short walk through Temple St Night Market.

A second good day in HK comes to an end, again we walked and walked and wondered at the activity, the cameras and phones, the modern buildings, the number of people sweeping and cleaning.

posted by Mark Smalley @ 2:14 PM