On our final day of Hong Kong, I realized we wouldn’t be able to see everything on my abbreviated list. We had lunch and dinner plans with friends, so would only have a couple hours in the morning to sightsee. The weather was spotty after breakfast, so I pointed us in the direction of the Star Ferry (this one was photographed across the harbor).
We boarded and headed to Central, which has dramatically changed since I left. Due to land reclamation, there’s a new Star Ferry Pier in Central. The ride itself has been shortened as a result.
The weather was still foggy (or was it smog?) and a bit drizzly.
After walking for what seemed like ten minutes, we arrived at Des Voeux Road and boarded one of Hong Kong’s greatest–and oldest–bargains. The tram!
Heading toward Happy Valley, home to Hong Kong’s famous racecourse, we passed the grand Legislative Council Building (aka Legco).
And modern ones like the Lippo Centre, which I remember from my years in Hong Kong.
Once in Wanchai, we rode alongside a couple of flatbed trucks holding a lion dance troupe. They waved up to us as Tom shot photos. That day was a public holiday for Buddha’s birthday, so I assume this troupe was headed toward festivities celebrating the occasion.
Once we arrived in Happy Valley, we disembarked at the terminus and boarded another tram bound for Shau Kei Wan. Soon we crossed into Causeway Bay, a major shopping hub. This dragon statue has met with some controversy (it’s been called kitschy and overdone), but I don’t mind it.
We took in everything around us on that tram ride. For instance, the displays of magazines and newspapers, no matter the content.
This flyer attached to a building caught Tom’s eye, perhaps for the ingredients or perhaps for the empty promise.
To make our lunch date, we jumped off the tram at Tai Koo (where I taught English on the weekends some 22 years ago). After a quick MTR (subway) ride, we met up with Erica Lyons again and Shannon Young, another writer who just launched her new website yesterday!
It was so much fun hanging out with Erica and Shannon and Shannon’s fiance. After a quick stop in a coffee house for a post-lunch tea, Tom and I bid our friends farewell and returned to Tsim Sha Tsui before meeting Rita, our other roommate and her husband, and another friend for a splendid farewell banquet at the Cultural Center.
After dinner I was able to view the nighttime skyline one more time before returning to the hotel with Tom. He all but had to drag me away.
We left Hong Kong first thing the next morning.
Susan- it looks like you had an absolutely wonderful trip! I’m so happy for you and thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading! I didn’t get to most of the places on my list, but that just means I’ll have to go back!
I must go back! So beautiful and so changed; some changes are harder to accept than others.
Yes, that’s for sure. The whole anti-pedestrian changes were the hardest to deal with. I felt like there was a stronger HK identity now than ever before, which was kind of nice!
Really love all your photos. They really make me homesick. What a great trip you had!
Thank you so much! That all means so much to me. It really was a wonderful trip, albeit too short. I guess that’s better than feeling like it was too long!
Why is the tram such a bargain?
Why is Hong Kong so close, yet, logistically, so far away?
No Disneyland for me, it seems….
The tram is only about HK$2 per ride, which covers a ton of ground. It’s by far the cheapest way to get around the island.
I hope you and Ellen can get there someday soon.
Thanks for posting these photos, Susan. So happy for you.
Thank you so much! I had so many to choose from, but thought these were the best.
So lucky… thanks for posting all the info… feel like I’ve been there with you too! The pics were wonderful to look at… miss home – Hong Kong – even more now!!
Thank you so much for the great comment! I made Tom take a lot of photos so I’ll be able to remember Hong Kong, too!
Just read the 4 days now,Susan. Nice to see you visitng the same places; a blast from the past. So great to see you with Shannon. You both look radiant and red cheeks. I didn’t know that there is an Asian Jewish Life magazine. Welcome back.
Thank you very much!! Yes, it was wonderful to be back and to meet Shannon. Asian Jewish Life is a fabulous publication full of history and current events throughout Asia. I really enjoyed visiting the synagogue in Hong Kong.