Feb 22, 2020 - Hong Kong airport

First leg of the trip was good. The plane was less than half full due to the virus. We were able to move seats and had plenty of leg room and being at the window in front of the wing I got a great view. Very little cloud cover the whole trip so I saw lots below us. Now we have 5 hours to hang around waiting for the next leg of the journey. never seen Hong Kong airport this empty!!

Feb 3, 2020 - Hong Kong wrap up

Sunday, February 2 Another day of my semi-quarantine! I enjoyed a good night’s sleep, and a nice morning in the room. Along about noon, I headed out for lunch and a visit to the Man Mo Temple. The bar I found for lunch was western-ish. I had chicken nachos! I am determined to get something Asian tomorrow (and I found a place later in the day). The temple is a short walk along Hollywood Road. This part of the road is dominated by Asian antiques and jade. Not all were open on Sunday, but the windows I saw were beautiful, and I’m sure beyond...

Feb 1, 2020 - Hong Kong

Friday, January 31 The last day, and we will be at sea. For the first time I have a list with things to get done, mostly final things for my days before flying home. After the unsuccessful attempts to change my flight home, I checked the CDC website and talked to is closed, not letting anyone in from China. The risk is quite low if you take reasonable measures and are careful with hand washing and watching where you go and avoiding crowds. I plan on checking in to my hotel and just relaxing with a few outings now and then before heading...

Apr 21, 2019 - All The Tea In China

The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware proved to be another free and interesting look into the culture of Hong Kong.With the history of over 170 years, the Flagstaff House originally served as the office and residence of the Commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong. Now, the various rooms house wall panels describing species of tea plants, methods of tea processing and tea drinking traditions. However, the greater portion of floorspace is (as expected) given over to the exhibition of tea pots, bowls and cups. From humble clay vessels to...

Apr 17, 2019 - A Night At The Races - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Despite the long day on Lantau Island we didn’t want to miss our next “must do”. So, we hopped on the metro to make our way down to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, otherwise known as Happy Valley. Surrounded by a wall of skyscrapers in the heart of the city, it’s likely a lovely green space to overlook from a chic condo by day. That makes is a pretty exciting setting when the surrounding towers are lit up at night. Aside from the gambling and the racing, Happy Valley is very much a social affair. As well as a few restaurants, kiosk-style beer...

Apr 17, 2019 - Lantau Island Big Buddha & Monastary

It was nice to wake up in a familiar hotel, and once again the iClub assigned us a room with a great view of the bay. We also had an interesting view of some fellows strapping together bamboo scaffolding on a job site across the street. Duncan monitored them closely and we were both pleased to see they wore proper sit harnesses and were tethered to bolts in the concrete. It would have been even better if their tools were tethered too. After that show we made our way to the Central Piers to catch the ferry to Mui Wo, which is on Lantau...

Apr 9, 2019 - Hong Kong in 4

Quick (Relatively !) 4 hour flight from Singapore to Hong Kong. I hope the seat I get on the next flight is better than the one to Hong Kong - the flight attendants eventually gave me two blankets to cover the bare metal rods protruding thru the seat 'cushion' directly into my 'backside'. Not the most comfortable hump to sit on but luckily for only 4 hours - no way would 12 1/2 hours be tolerable. Spent a couple hours in the lounge in Hong Kong which is relaxing, more quiet that the terminal, comfortable seating, and good food for free;...

Mar 15, 2019 - Hong Kong on our own

Our last full day in Hong Kong turned out to be a busy affair. After being on so many bus tours, we were eager to walk the city. We headed for the boardwalk with the idea of eventually ending up a the History museum, which turned out to be amazing. We then meandered, passing by the Peninsula Hotel, wandering the streets and landing on the Avenue of Stars that is similar to the walk of Stars in Hollywood, except with handprints on the guard rail of the seawall. After our city meandering we stopped at a jazz bar for snacks and a glass of...

Mar 14, 2019 - Lantau Island

Another early morning, where we are once again greeted with an international breakfast buffet. This one is even bigger than the one I described in Bangkok. Different asian breakfast specialties including, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Western style foods. I once again got to enjoy my noodle bowls. Today, we meet the tour group one last time for a day trip to Lantau Island. Passing through busy Hong Kong, we encounter a place that is green, mountainous and lush on our way to Ngong Ping Village. Once a remote monastery, has been completely...

Mar 13, 2019 - Mega tour of Hong Kong and Kowloon

Following disembarkation from the ship, we drove to Hong Kong Island. Along the way we passed the Jockey Club, a cemetery, a mosque, a prison and a golf course! Our first stop at Victoria Peak, site of the oldest funicular (built 1888) and awesome views of the city. We then rode down on the funicular backwards (steepest angle is 27 degrees). If you weren't seated backwards you'd fall forward. Afterwards we drove to Aberdeen, to board a sampan to view the last working fishing village in Hong Kong. Also, the location of the largest floating...

Mar 12, 2019 - Hong Kong - a day aboard

Ok, this is going to sound strange, but Bri and I decided to forgo the city tour on our first day in Hong Kong. The ship will be docked overnight and we do not disembark until tomorrow. So we decided that since we still had 3 more days in the city, that we would take advantage of most guests being off the ship and the promise of the best day weather-wise for the upcoming week to chill and lounge around the pool. Brian aka cameraman, also took the opportunity to take additional shots of the ship. We are actually docked in Kowloon Bay cruise...

Feb 19, 2019 - Crossing the WIDE Pond

13 hours in the San Fran Airport sounds long, but 14 HOURS in a seat on a jet is a bit more restrictive. Fair bit of turbulent bumps crossing the big pond, but Cathay Pacific is a good airline. Relatively quick transfer time before continuing flight to Singapore.