2011 - H & A WORLD CRUISE - HONG KONG

Mon 7 Mar 2011

HONG KONG & HALFWAY THROUGH THE CRUISE.

THERE WILL BE A FEW GETTING OFF HERE.

GINA & HANS FROM MY DINNER TABLE WILL LEAVE & AN AUSTRALIAN COUPLE WILL JOIN US.

I WILL NOT LAST MORE THAN A WEEK WITH THE NEW DINNER COMPANIONS WHO ARE NOT AT ALL TO MY LIKING.

TOO BAD, THE OTHERS WERE GREAT.

I LEAVE THE SHIP & INTEND A LONGISH STROLL NORTH THROUGH KOWLOON TO THE BIRD MARKET... & TAKE IN THE STREET SIGHTS ON THE WAY.

I ALSO GET A HONG KONG ESSENTIAL - THE OCTOPUS CARD.

ALREADY AT THE BIRD MARKET...WITH LIVE FOOD ON SALE.

CAGED BIRDS ARE VERY POPULAR HERE.

LOCALS TAKE THEM OUT FOR WALKS & SIT IN PARKS WITH THEM.

THESE ARE LIVE, CRICKETS I THINK

AND ITS ON TO THE FLOWER MARKET JUST NEXT DOOR..

AND ON TO THE FISH MARKET & A BITE TO EAT...

AND THE MEAT MARKET

GETTING A BIT TIRED NOW, SO I DELVE INTO THE UNDERGROUND - WHERE YOU COULD EAT YOUR DINNER OFF THE FLOOR.

THE TUBE TAKES ME UNDER VICTORIA BAY & TO HONG KONG ISLAND WHERE I STUMBLE UPON A RARE PATCH OF GREENERY AMID ALL THE SKY SCRAPERS... & ON TO THE PEAK TRAM FOR THE RIDE TO THE TOP OF VICTORIA PEAK

THEN IT'S A BUS RIDE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN & THE FAMOUS STAR FERRY BACK TO KOWLOON...

THESE GIRLS ARE TAKING A SURVEY & PRACTISING THEIR ENGLISH...

BACK ON BOARD SHIP - WHAT A PLACE TO PARK THE BOAT..

NEXT DAY, IT'S A BUS RIDE TO THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY PARK...

ON THE BUS I SAT NEXT TO AN ANCIENT MAN WHO SPENT THE ENTIRE JOURNEY PLUCKING THE HAIRS ON HIS CHIN. A VERY PAINFUL WAY TO SHAVE BUT HE WON'T HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN FOR A WHILE I GUESS

THIS IS NOT LAUNDRY - BUT A PIECE OF ART, SPRINKLED THROUGH THE GARDENS...