We arrived in Hong Kong on Monday evening
We planned to travel into Shenzen, China on Tuesday as the shopping complex we were intending to visit was closing Wednesday for four days. Apparently most of the workers come from all over China many from the north and with Chinese New Year this week many thousands of Chinese people are on the move to spend the time with family. We love going into Shenzen, when in Hong Kong last time we went over twice. It is a very easy trip, we hopped on a train not far from our hotel. The train trip is about 45 minutes to the border, it takes about an hour to fill in forms get a visa and go through customs. There were many more people this year because of the celebrations than there usually are. There were many stores already closed and a lot less people shopping as well. The trip back to Hong Kong was quicker as we did not have to apply for a visa but many more people again crossing from China to Hong Kong to spend the time with family so there were queues everywhere.
We planned to travel into Shenzen, China on Tuesday as the shopping complex we were intending to visit was closing Wednesday for four days. Apparently most of the workers come from all over China many from the north and with Chinese New Year this week many thousands of Chinese people are on the move to spend the time with family. We love going into Shenzen, when in Hong Kong last time we went over twice. It is a very easy trip, we hopped on a train not far from our hotel. The train trip is about 45 minutes to the border, it takes about an hour to fill in forms get a visa and go through customs. There were many more people this year because of the celebrations than there usually are. There were many stores already closed and a lot less people shopping as well. The trip back to Hong Kong was quicker as we did not have to apply for a visa but many more people again crossing from China to Hong Kong to spend the time with family so there were queues everywhere.
It is great fun shopping in Shenzen, a real pantomime the prices start at many times what you pay, you are expected to bargain. One girl wanted $HK 850 for an article I could have bought at home for about half that, I commented on this to another storeholder we know and he said something to her in Chinese and we eventually paid $HK120 ($A20) The hassling is taken very seriously and once you start bargaining you are expected to buy the article then when you agree on your price everyone is smiling again. We just enjoy the fun of it all.
On Wednesday morning we visited the markets in Hong Kong, once again great fun finding things we can't get at home and the usual bargaining. In the evening we walked down to Star Ferry area there were people everywhere. We decided to walk back to the hotel via the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Avenue of Stars as there is usually a Lights show from the buildings around the Harbour, what we didn't expect was walking straight into the rehearsals for the New Years Day Parade. Wow it was amazing saw all the floats up close, all the performers were practising for their performance tonight. We stood and listened to the bands it was fantastic probably saw a lot more than in the crowds will see. We then wandered back home via Nathan Road even at that late hour there were crowds and so many Red New Year decorations everywhere, the atmosphere is electrifying. See pics above.
The Park Hotel is in a perfect position only about a 10 minute walk from Nathan Road the main road in Kowloon. The rooms are spacious and very comfortable. The Park Cafe serves great food, we had an International Buffet a couple of nights ago. Graeme eats everything unlike me and enjoyed every mouthful. The buffet breakfasts are delicious as well plenty to choose from here. We had a great deal here, included in our room cost were the buffet breakfasts free internet mini bar and water. The hotel is called the "Aussie hotel" by some of the staff as many Australians have stayed here over the years and it has not changed its reputation.
It is still as good as since first coming here in the 90's the service is still great. The rooms have all been renovated over the years ours is on 16th floor with great views. We were fortunate tonight seeing the firework display over the harbour from our room. A great farewell to this exciting city.
It is still as good as since first coming here in the 90's the service is still great. The rooms have all been renovated over the years ours is on 16th floor with great views. We were fortunate tonight seeing the firework display over the harbour from our room. A great farewell to this exciting city.
We wandered around Tism Sha Shui late this afternoon watching people just having fun, a great time to be here. What is surprising there did not seem to be anywhere near the foreigners around. There were a few Americans, maybe half a dozen and a few Europeans but have not run into any English people and only a couple of Aussies. On other visits there were many more foreigners particularly Australians. We wonder if the reason may be that people thought everything to be closed due to the celebrations. Surprisingly many more markets and shops are open than we were expecting.
We are staying on Kowloon side and this afternoon we went to Hong Kong Island to Aberdeen fishing village. In Aberdeen, modernity meets tradition with skyscrapers overlooking a community living on traditional junks. The typhoon shelter on the south side of Hong Kong Island is also a popular seafood dining spot and home to Jumbo Restaurant, one of the world’s largest floating restaurants. See photos of the front of The Jumbo Restaurant and compare to next photo of the back of it !!!
We did the tour through the typhoon shelter on a sampan which is interesting, seeing how some people live on houseboats (not the type of houseboats you see in Australia) with washing machines large tv's and hi fi systems some even have gardens around the top of their houseboats, spending their entire lives living and working here. Nowhere near as many as there were back in the 80's and 90's when visiting then. There were a couple of families sharing the family day having celebration lunches. Most junks and boats were empty with families going to visit relatives for the New Year.
Pics above.
We did the tour through the typhoon shelter on a sampan which is interesting, seeing how some people live on houseboats (not the type of houseboats you see in Australia) with washing machines large tv's and hi fi systems some even have gardens around the top of their houseboats, spending their entire lives living and working here. Nowhere near as many as there were back in the 80's and 90's when visiting then. There were a couple of families sharing the family day having celebration lunches. Most junks and boats were empty with families going to visit relatives for the New Year.
Pics above.
One thing you need to do in Hong Kong is cross between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island on the Star Ferry the most picturesque ride in the world for $2 the view unreal, we made our way home this way today.
The Star Ferry boats have been carrying passengers from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon and back since 1888. While the two sides of Victoria Harbour are now connected by a system of road and rail tunnels, tens of millions of people still climb aboard the Star Ferry each year. Many visitors take the ride for an up-close look at one of the world’s most photographed harbours, while locals have kept their affection for it because, even after a century, it’s still a highly reliable and efficient form of transport.
Leaving the Star Ferry the crowds were almost overwhelming, people everywhere with families from very elderly grandparents to new babies in prams out enjoying the festivities.
The Star Ferry boats have been carrying passengers from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon and back since 1888. While the two sides of Victoria Harbour are now connected by a system of road and rail tunnels, tens of millions of people still climb aboard the Star Ferry each year. Many visitors take the ride for an up-close look at one of the world’s most photographed harbours, while locals have kept their affection for it because, even after a century, it’s still a highly reliable and efficient form of transport.
Leaving the Star Ferry the crowds were almost overwhelming, people everywhere with families from very elderly grandparents to new babies in prams out enjoying the festivities.
Friday our last day in Hong Kong. We just wandered around Kowloon enjoying the atmosphere and dodging people. Being a public holiday the streets were absolutely packed. So many people wheeling suitcases everywhere. I have never seen people walking along filming themselves and talking into their devices, and taking selfies like they do here it can be quite comical watching them.
We wandered around Harbour City a huge shopping complex which actually is on the harbour and sat on the deck looking out on the water and cruise ships a nice way to pass the time, while we were here we had lunch at a lovely French Cafe here, yummy quiche and cake.
There does not seem to be any lack of money here for many with the number of people packing all the high end designer label stores. We were told many people come from mainland China to buy at theses stores as there is a tax in China on these goods. There are crowds in the many jewellery stores in the complex with windows full of jewellery and gold marked anywhere from HK$1000 up to HK$ 700,000 plus (A$130,000) with people queuing to be served.
We love Hong Kong, knowing our way around well probably helps, and that we know the hotel and it is in a great spot for seeing everything we want makes a difference.
Another one of our favourite places.
We wandered around Harbour City a huge shopping complex which actually is on the harbour and sat on the deck looking out on the water and cruise ships a nice way to pass the time, while we were here we had lunch at a lovely French Cafe here, yummy quiche and cake.
There does not seem to be any lack of money here for many with the number of people packing all the high end designer label stores. We were told many people come from mainland China to buy at theses stores as there is a tax in China on these goods. There are crowds in the many jewellery stores in the complex with windows full of jewellery and gold marked anywhere from HK$1000 up to HK$ 700,000 plus (A$130,000) with people queuing to be served.
We love Hong Kong, knowing our way around well probably helps, and that we know the hotel and it is in a great spot for seeing everything we want makes a difference.
Another one of our favourite places.