Enquired about taking the bus to Aberdeen on the south coast of Hong-Kong Island. The bus cost 30 pence each. We got off at Aberdeen promenade and walked to the end.
Accosted by a Sampan driver we relent and board his Sampan for a tour of the harbour. We are the only two on board so get a personalised tour. We see lots of fishing vessels and he stops next to some who are sorting their catch. We see houseboats and ferries as we zig zag in between the many boats, some old and worn and some worth millions. We see the floating restaurants with their flashy lit fronts and their disgusting looking kitchens at the back.
A good tour.
We catch the bus back 'home' and relax before getting ready to go out for our 2 star meal. Our last full day as we fly home tomorrow.
Went to the restaurant, Bo Innovation, and were amazed to be seated at the Chef's table, a counter overlooking the kitchen and the chef serving us personally. The diner next to me was a chef from England who worked on private yachts usually for wealthy Russians. He said that the restaurant now had 3 Michelin Stars.
The meal had numerous courses and each had a story to tell about Hong-Kong history or cuisine. Needless to say the food was nothing like your everyday Chinese at home. It was delicious!
The whole evening of food and theatre was superb and a truly wonderful way to end our holiday.
Friday, 4 March 2016
A day in Hong Kong
We sleep in but are just in time to make breakfast.
We then head West towards the Peak Tram terminus. To get there we walk through Hong-Kong Park which climbs the lower part of the hill. We look through the conservatory with it's different zonal planting and go through the aviary with it's many bird species.
We board the Tram which is hauled almost vertically by cable up to a shopping mall at the top. The viewpoint gives superb views over the skyscrapers of Hong-Kong although it is a bit hazy today.
We find a restaurant at the top that does a proper Afternoon Tea so partake thereof.
We take the Tram back down to the park and walk down past the lakes which contain fish and terrapins. Leaving the park we continue down the hill via a series of escalators. We end up in a shopping mall in a building where there are lots of places to have a cup of tea.
We walk back to the hotel via a restaurant with 2 Michelin Stars and serves Chinese cuisine. We book for Saturday evening. It will cost two arms and several legs but will be our last expence before flying home on Sunday.
We then head West towards the Peak Tram terminus. To get there we walk through Hong-Kong Park which climbs the lower part of the hill. We look through the conservatory with it's different zonal planting and go through the aviary with it's many bird species.
We board the Tram which is hauled almost vertically by cable up to a shopping mall at the top. The viewpoint gives superb views over the skyscrapers of Hong-Kong although it is a bit hazy today.
We find a restaurant at the top that does a proper Afternoon Tea so partake thereof.
We take the Tram back down to the park and walk down past the lakes which contain fish and terrapins. Leaving the park we continue down the hill via a series of escalators. We end up in a shopping mall in a building where there are lots of places to have a cup of tea.
We walk back to the hotel via a restaurant with 2 Michelin Stars and serves Chinese cuisine. We book for Saturday evening. It will cost two arms and several legs but will be our last expence before flying home on Sunday.
Thursday, 3 March 2016
Auckland to Hong-Kong
The flight from Auckland was quite tedious with not much sleep, although the New Zealand guy sitting next to me at least had some conversation, even if he was huge and took up ALL of his seat.
We arrived in Hong-Kong and found our shuttle co-ordinator who quickly organised our shuttle which we shared with another English couple from our flight who had toured New Zealand in a Maui campervan.
Of course when we arrived at the hotel at 7.30 a.m. our room was not ready so we stored the luggage, met our flight crew who were staying in our hotel and got a little info from them.
We went out to explore. Saw lots of tall buildings with bamboo scaffolding up the outside. Lots of modern skyscrapers but rather old and tatty shops at their bases. We wandered a bit and then made our way to the waterfront where quite a bit of building work was going on.
We returned to the hotel to readjust and found ourselves talking to Margaret and Malcolm from Nottingham/Derby area. When we head out again we bump into them on the street and go together to find a cafe for a cup of tea. There appear to be none until we spot a cafe sign and head into a basement cafe. The system is - you place your order with the Non-English speaking concierge who gives you some slips of paper. You take them to the counter where you are given your order. A black tea and two teas and a coffee with evaporated milk in. Pretty disgusting!
We go in search of a hotel where the other couple need to be the following day. Staring at the map a Chinese gentleman points us in the right direction and explains a little about tea. He tells us we might get tea in Times Square. We find the square which is a skyscraper surrounded by shops selling watches, mainly Rolex and other up market brands. We search the food areas in the building but find nothing that will simply serve tea.
Return to hotel once more, get a room and have a shower, a sleep and a pizza.
We arrived in Hong-Kong and found our shuttle co-ordinator who quickly organised our shuttle which we shared with another English couple from our flight who had toured New Zealand in a Maui campervan.
Of course when we arrived at the hotel at 7.30 a.m. our room was not ready so we stored the luggage, met our flight crew who were staying in our hotel and got a little info from them.
We went out to explore. Saw lots of tall buildings with bamboo scaffolding up the outside. Lots of modern skyscrapers but rather old and tatty shops at their bases. We wandered a bit and then made our way to the waterfront where quite a bit of building work was going on.
We returned to the hotel to readjust and found ourselves talking to Margaret and Malcolm from Nottingham/Derby area. When we head out again we bump into them on the street and go together to find a cafe for a cup of tea. There appear to be none until we spot a cafe sign and head into a basement cafe. The system is - you place your order with the Non-English speaking concierge who gives you some slips of paper. You take them to the counter where you are given your order. A black tea and two teas and a coffee with evaporated milk in. Pretty disgusting!
We go in search of a hotel where the other couple need to be the following day. Staring at the map a Chinese gentleman points us in the right direction and explains a little about tea. He tells us we might get tea in Times Square. We find the square which is a skyscraper surrounded by shops selling watches, mainly Rolex and other up market brands. We search the food areas in the building but find nothing that will simply serve tea.
Return to hotel once more, get a room and have a shower, a sleep and a pizza.
View of building covered in bamboo scaffolding from our 15th floor bedroom window .
We meet up with Margaret and Malcolm and walk down to the ferry terminal and catch the Star Ferry across to Kowloon to watch a firework and laser light show over the skyscrapers of Hong-Kong.
It turns out to be a little disappointing as there are no fireworks just music and a few lasers. The buildings across the water are impressive though - all lit up.
The lights of Hong-Kong from Kowloon 
Wednesday, 2 March 2016
Auckland to Hong-Kong
Up, finish packing and drop luggage off at the concierge who organises a shuttle to take us to the airport at 8.00 p.m.
We head for the Sky Tower entrance and ride up the lifts to the observation deck on floor 52. Lynda uses the service lift while I go in the normal glass fronted one. The view is tremendous, Auckland spanning a narrow piece of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea.
Returning to ground level we head to the harbour and take the ferry to Devonport where we stroll along the coast, through the town, up to the highest point (good views to the islands and Auckland centre), and then head to a hotel for High Tea. Unfortunately this cannot be done without booking.
We return to Auckland on the ferry and then wander the streets looking for somewhere to eat. Losing the will to live, we head to the Sky City Grand hotel and have a lovely meal before getting our shuttle to the airport.
We head for the Sky Tower entrance and ride up the lifts to the observation deck on floor 52. Lynda uses the service lift while I go in the normal glass fronted one. The view is tremendous, Auckland spanning a narrow piece of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea.
Returning to ground level we head to the harbour and take the ferry to Devonport where we stroll along the coast, through the town, up to the highest point (good views to the islands and Auckland centre), and then head to a hotel for High Tea. Unfortunately this cannot be done without booking.
We return to Auckland on the ferry and then wander the streets looking for somewhere to eat. Losing the will to live, we head to the Sky City Grand hotel and have a lovely meal before getting our shuttle to the airport.
Selfie from Sky Tower 
Auckland from the ferry 
The flight leaves at 11.45 p.m so technically, Hong-Kong is in tomorrow's or the day after blog (cross the international date line so getting confused about the days!).
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