Hong Kong Island

We decided to book a half day tour into HK Island. We are usually pretty independent travellers, but opted for a bus tour this morning just to try it out. Given our short visit here, we thought an organized bus tour might pack more sights into one day. First stop was the Peak tram, the world's steepest funicular, up to Victoria Peak. The view from the top was beautiful! Plus the height gave us a lovely breeze, a welcome break from the stifling heat of the city. 

This is the funicular we rode to the peak.

These are the many escalators that carried us up to the Sky Terrace.

A view of some of the 7700+ skyscrapers in Hong Kong.

We left our mark at the peak!

While the views at the peak where spectacular, we weren't expecting the mall that was there! We found a great little store the sold DC comic themed items. We managed to find a souvenir t-shirt for one lucky nephew! 

Up next we visited the Aberdeen Fishing Village. While it wasn't what I was expected- it was very enlightening. We got a chance to ride a sampan, and see the famous Jumbo floating restaurant.

It was shocking to see the contrast between the simple fishing vessels, and and the million dollar yachts that where docked virtually side by side. Another contrast was the amount of garbage we saw floating in the water, at one point I saw a local walk up to the water and toss a pop can in. But, a few minutes later we also saw a fishing boat, rigged with a cage on the front that was designed to scoop up the floating garbage. 

We had a "tour" of a jewellery factory, which turned our to be the jewelry equivalent of a time share, sort of disappointing. We have noticed a plethora of jewelry shops all over HK- each manned with at least 10 salespeople. It turns out that jewellery is a popular item to purchase while in HK, as there is no sales tax here. During the factory tour we noticed a lovely peridot ring, and salesperson has quick to convert the price to Canadian dollars for us, only $2100! Lol, not happening! We smiled, said no thank you, and went to collect our "free" beverage from the mini bar.

We once again boarded the bus, and headed up to Stanley Market, which seemed to be a beach front market area. On the way up we passed multi million dollar properties, a ferari dealership, and a million dollar McLaren car parked haphazardly on the side walk. Our tour guide pointed out one particular house that was owned by a very rich local man. She stated that 4 out of every 10 dollars spent in HK went into this man's pocket. That is a striking contrast to the lifestyle of our tour guide who lives outside the island in the new territories. She travels over an hour to work each day, and lives in a 600 square foot apartment with her parents and brother. The apartment is valued at $250 000 USD. She knows she will never "own" her own home. 

We arrived at the Stanley Market, and it was here that I felt the full force of the heat in HK. For the last couple of days it's been hot, but not particularly sunny. When we reached Stanely, the sun was out, and it was beyond broiling! We bought some cold drinks, and a can of Pringles, and camped out in the shade until it was time to leave. 

We got back to the hotel by mid afternoon, and settled in for a nap. Our plan was to get up for around 5pm to have dinner, and then catch the Subway out to the pier to watch the light show. But, once agin we slept though the night. It's almost our third full day in HK, and we haven't been awake to eat dinner yet! Thank goodness our hotel has a fabulous breakfast buffet- it's the only meal we've eaten consistently since we arrived! Up tomorrow? Another trip to HK island to do some shopping! Outlet mall- here I come!