Hong Kong day 1

What an incredible place Hong Kong is. If I thought we would gently be eased back to the hustle and bustle of the UK I needed to think again. So many people, so many cars, taxis and buses that getting around was a challenge. The first hiccup of the day was Ian turning left from the hotel, down Nathen Road, the wrong way. Wanting to get to the harbour we must have walked 3k before Ian realised!. All that way back and more took over an hour! This I will remind him about for a long time!!!! Public holiday today so plenty of people on the streets as well as wedding preps at the docks. Ching Ming festival was the reason and to mention it briefly, it is when the Chinese people honour and remember their dead. The Filipinos (many as servants to the Chinese) also have this day off so partying and getting married all seem to happen on this one day.

Remembering the  Tiananmen Square massacre

Getting ready for multiple weddings

Took the Junk 'Duk ling' from pier 3 for a  harbour cruise. Free complimentary drink (alcohol included) and with very few on board, no fighting to get to see the views across the harbour. This was a fishing vessel originally and underwent full restoration in the 1980s. The 'Duk Ling' sank during a typhoon in 2014 and was submerged for 3 months before being rescued and restored by Yu Lik-hang and his aunt Cheng Ching-wah.

Duk Ling

These were saved from when the Junk was submerged for 3 months.

Leaving the docks it was a route march to the ICC, Sky100 tower. Roadworks were everywhere and pedestrian walkways blocked off. The only way we kept 'on-route' was by watching the skyline to get a glimpse of our destination. A lovely Chinese lady took pity on us as we stood debating which way to go and escorted us to the building. So relieved to have finally arrived.... as was our feet!! Spectacular views made the long, long walk all worthwhile and, as it was late afternoon, decided to stay for the sunset and skyline at night.

ICC Sky100 tower.

By the time we left and made the long walk back to the hotel, it was 8pm. Along the route, we came across the Temple street market and a thriving large outdoor eatery.  The smell of the cooked Chinese food was irresistible so we did no more than order a local beer (quite good for a pale ale) and a huge plate of beef and mushrooms in oyster sauce accompanied by two bowls of steamed rice. With the grand total of HK$145 (roughly $10 to our £ ) for £14.50, it was well worth the money.

So far Hong Kong is living up to our expectations especially the challenge of eating with chopsticks!