HK-Day 2-Sunday
Ok, my first full day in HK. I’ll describe a few photos that were taken through the day.
Out the window just before the sun came up. Across the bay is Kowloon. The lights in the foreground are in Victoria Park where a flower festival is scheduled every evening this week.
I take a 5 hour walk around the Causeway Bay, Tin Hau, Wan Chai and Aberdeen districts today. This helps me fight my jet lag, get a little exercise and get the feel for the area around the hotel.
Looking back now, it appears that I took too many building photos. Some of them are of men working on bamboo truss systems. Sadly, you don’t get the scale of their work. The photo don’t include the 1st 4 floors.
I was also amazed by the trees growing where there is no dirt, right on/into the concrete.
Little walk rest stops are all over HK.
I head into Victoria Park for the morning version of the flower festival where I see lots of new and unusual plants. I plan to come back in the evening with Jim to learn what these are. There were other folks running, walking, exercising on strange devices (think wax-on, wax-off wheels placed at chest level) and a few groups of 5 or so practicing Tai Chi. The Great Crane movement has to be seen to be appreciated.
Wandering around HK on a Sunday you see the city come alive. As noon came around, more and more and more people are out shopping, meeting together, and sharing their views in official demonstration areas. It appeared that every Muslim girl on the island got together. I didn’t take many pictures of people since I didn’t know local customs. There was a point where I was surrounded by about 200 Filipino girls all about half my height who appeared to be buying panties from a corner vendor. Sorry guys, I should have snapped a picture.
McDonald’s, KFC, and Pizza Hut exist, but I haven’t been into any of them.
I walked about 5 miles today. Up and down overpasses, underpasses, crossing streets with 50 MPH double decker buses flying by and thousands and thousands of people going about their Sunday business. Outside the International Center mall, I was approached by a Buddhist Monk offering peace for a donation. HK$5 later (about US$0.90) and it was clear he was disappointed with me. I claimed to not understand and that I couldn’t understand what he wanted from me. Should have snapped a picture of him in his golden robes. I’ve learned it is common for non-monks to pretend they are to get “donations.” The monk hinted that I should give him HK$500 – US$65, not likely.
There are also a few MPG movies capturing the sites and sounds of HK. Road work doesn’t stop on Sunday. Having not lived in a city, I’m shocked when a tiny bird hops right up to me. Well, I decide to waste some video time on the bird, not that the species is interesting or anything, just the behavior. You are warned – I suck as a videographer.
Some HK money, Octopus MTR card, and bottled water are your best friends.
Jim arrives around 9pm and we’re both beat. Good night.
