Last day in HK
May 6
Tracey met us at our Hotel Jen at 9:45 to take a walk around the south side of HK Island. The cab ride there was about 6 miles, taking us through the fishing village of Aberdeen (here's to you Bill Dalgarno!)
We began near Ocean Park and walked along the coast to Repulse Bay, about 2.5 miles. Although it was not a cloudy day, it was so smoggy that it was hard to see the mountains in the distance.
We passed through one beach area where families were beginning to use the public hibachis for their lunch, and we noted how it added to the smog. Tracey said that most of the pollution came from the mainland Chinese factories. She also talked about differences between public areas here and in Singapore, stating that domestic employees in Singapore were not allowed to use spaces like public beaches, while in HK, they are very welcomed and there are extra provisions made for all on Sundays to enjoy markets and parks.
We talked a bit more about the exclusive private school that is one of the schools in Tracey's research (to remain unnamed). She said that one family did request that their child be moved to another class (Tracey is Filipino). I was disgusted and sad that this happened. We noted the Western privilege even here in HK. Of course, HK was a British colony til 20 years ago.
We stopped in Repulse Bay and had a cup of iced coffee in the hotel there. It was a bit colonial, but certainly comfortable and relaxing.
We took a cab back and said our goodbyes to Tracey, telling her to come to Sarasota with her husband Mike soon. We relaxed in our room for a while, catching up on internet stuff and napping. Then we decided to take a dip in the pool on the open 28th floor. How I wish I had done that earlier! The water was beautiful, as was the view of the harbor. It is pretty decadent.
After that, we walked a block to eat at a restaurant called The Meeting Point, just a block from our hotel. The menu had a mixture of Asian and Western selections. Dick enjoyed a lamb an rice meal. I went with a Western rib eye. It was good - not great, but good. The atmosphere was great - relaxing and mellow - and the wait staff were also very welcoming.
There is much more English spoken here than in Japan, so it has been relatively easy to get around. We returned to our hotel and crashed early, as we have a 5:30 date with the morning to get to the airport on time.
Sunday, May 7
We had about 12 hours of travel, but I want to emphasize ONLY 12 hours of travel, as I expected more; Our flight was scheduled to land at 2:55pm, meaning that we would have to wait for the 4:40 bus to Hachioji. Instead, we landed at 2pm and were able to catch the 3pm bus. Ah, simple pleasures! So great to get back to our apartment before 6pm!
On the plane I had the time to read an autobiography entitled In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom, by Yeonmi Park. I highly recommend it. The insights into life in North Korea and the human trafficking over the border into China are harrowing and important knowledge.
NOTE: June 2018 date on post is republish date, not date of the event.
Tracey met us at our Hotel Jen at 9:45 to take a walk around the south side of HK Island. The cab ride there was about 6 miles, taking us through the fishing village of Aberdeen (here's to you Bill Dalgarno!)
We began near Ocean Park and walked along the coast to Repulse Bay, about 2.5 miles. Although it was not a cloudy day, it was so smoggy that it was hard to see the mountains in the distance.
View along our walk
Ocean Park
Barbecuing at the Beach
We passed through one beach area where families were beginning to use the public hibachis for their lunch, and we noted how it added to the smog. Tracey said that most of the pollution came from the mainland Chinese factories. She also talked about differences between public areas here and in Singapore, stating that domestic employees in Singapore were not allowed to use spaces like public beaches, while in HK, they are very welcomed and there are extra provisions made for all on Sundays to enjoy markets and parks.
Um -- Hmm! Dunno...
We talked a bit more about the exclusive private school that is one of the schools in Tracey's research (to remain unnamed). She said that one family did request that their child be moved to another class (Tracey is Filipino). I was disgusted and sad that this happened. We noted the Western privilege even here in HK. Of course, HK was a British colony til 20 years ago.
We stopped in Repulse Bay and had a cup of iced coffee in the hotel there. It was a bit colonial, but certainly comfortable and relaxing.
Fung shi - the opening in the building is to let the dragon through from the mountains to the sea
Tracey
We took a cab back and said our goodbyes to Tracey, telling her to come to Sarasota with her husband Mike soon. We relaxed in our room for a while, catching up on internet stuff and napping. Then we decided to take a dip in the pool on the open 28th floor. How I wish I had done that earlier! The water was beautiful, as was the view of the harbor. It is pretty decadent.
After that, we walked a block to eat at a restaurant called The Meeting Point, just a block from our hotel. The menu had a mixture of Asian and Western selections. Dick enjoyed a lamb an rice meal. I went with a Western rib eye. It was good - not great, but good. The atmosphere was great - relaxing and mellow - and the wait staff were also very welcoming.
There is much more English spoken here than in Japan, so it has been relatively easy to get around. We returned to our hotel and crashed early, as we have a 5:30 date with the morning to get to the airport on time.
Sunday, May 7
We had about 12 hours of travel, but I want to emphasize ONLY 12 hours of travel, as I expected more; Our flight was scheduled to land at 2:55pm, meaning that we would have to wait for the 4:40 bus to Hachioji. Instead, we landed at 2pm and were able to catch the 3pm bus. Ah, simple pleasures! So great to get back to our apartment before 6pm!
On the plane I had the time to read an autobiography entitled In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom, by Yeonmi Park. I highly recommend it. The insights into life in North Korea and the human trafficking over the border into China are harrowing and important knowledge.
NOTE: June 2018 date on post is republish date, not date of the event.
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