Day 3 Hong Kong

Today we had a tour booked through Norwegian Cruise Line called “Highlights of Hong Kong”. We were instructed to meet at the Stardust Theatre at 8:30 am to assemble with the group. We were led to a comfortable (for those less than 6 feet tall) bus with about 40 other guests. Our guide, Wendy spoke excellent English and provided all kinds of information about Hong Kong.

 

Traffic is very busy in Hong Kong so we were delighted to have Mr. Lee drive for us.  He took us to Hong Kong Island where we took the Peak Tram (a funicular) on an eight-minute ascent almost to the top of Victoria Peak. What fabulous views!  The funicular was built in 1888, so that makes it the oldest transportation in Hong Kong.

 

 

Our day started out at 10 C and only got as high as 16 C.  This is winter in Hong Kong.  I was glad I wore my long sleeve shirt, merino wool hoodie and my raincoat.  The wind made it quite cool at the top of the peak and on the water later in the day.  Looking forward, we should move further south into some ports that offer temperatures of at least 20 C.

 

We then stopped for photos at Repulse Bay, and contrary to the name, it is one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful and popular beaches.  

We then visited a Gem store – of course on tours there is always an opportunity to spend money. Hong Kong is known for jade.  We didn’t spend any money there!

 

After the shopping stop, we drove to the area called Aberdeen. We took a wooden small boat called a sampan – where we could zigzag along the small alleys of the traditional fishing village, but is really engulfed by large boats and commercial towers.

 

Wendy told us some interesting facts.  Hong Kong has 7.5 million people.  Wendy, her husband and son live in a 400 square foot apartment that has 2 bedrooms.  It costs about $2,000 US ($15,000 Hong Kong) per square foot to buy a house.  If you live in subsidized housing, you pay about 25% of the going rate to rent.  The wait list to get into public government housing is about 8 years long.  Hong Kong has 17 reservoirs for water, which is insufficient for the number of people that live there.  As a result, Hong Kong started buying water from mainland China in 1964 and it is shipped by pipe.

 

It was really amazing to see the city of Hong Kong.  We returned back to the ship by about 2 pm and headed straight to deck 11 to go get something to eat.  We chose to have some veggies and Indian food.  We headed out to a table on the back outdoor deck and joined Doug at a table.  He is travelling solo and was a really interesting fellow to talk to.  He owns a number of international restaurants that specialize in beef.

I am going to post this blog before we pull away from Hong Kong so that I can use the e-sim card coverage from Airalo I have here!