Part 5 – Hong Kong:

    By the time we were on the plane to Hong Kong, my virus was starting to get really nasty, with terrible congestion and coughing, along with lethargy. Oki was in a similar state. Although we didn’t cough or sneeze on the plane, I felt pity for the poor passenger who had to sit between us on this packed-out flight. She was guaranteed to pick up our germs. We arrived in Hong Kong after a 13-hour trip, travelling forwards through the time zones into daytime. On arrival, we caught the Airport Express train into Hong Kong Central, where Adam and Becky were there to meet us, complete with Octopus cards which pay for transport, and almost everything else in Hong Kong. We checked into our Best Western Hotel in the Sai Ying Pun district, a short tram ride from Adam’s flat in Kennedy Town. Oki rested for the evening, while I went with Becky and Adam to explore the local area and have dinner with them. Little baby Jasper was as beautifully behaved, smiling and happy as usual, although he also was still suffering from the terrible, long-lasting English virus.

    Sai Ying Pun is the heart of the dried fish industry, and while we waited for the old, double-decker ding-ding tram to Adam’s place, we looked at the alien sights in the shops of all the dried fish products. Unfortunately, bad smog had blown down from China, and for most of our stay, we didn’t get a clear view of the spectacular sight of Hong Kong. However, Adam’s photo in the photo section shows what we should have seen, if the air had been clearer. Never mind. I will see Hong Kong again in the future. 

    Adam and Becky’s flat is a modern, very nice, small, 3-bedroom flat, a luxury almost unheard of in Hong Kong, where space is at a minimum, and most residents live in tiny boxes at exorbitant rents. Adam pays $1,323 per week in rent, which gobbles up most of his pay packet. Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world, being an economic and financial powerhouse of the East, along with Shanghai. In their complex of three tall buildings, there is a children’s playroom, a gym, a reading room and study, and a pool, so they are lucky to have some lovely places to go to give them a sense of more space. 
    Becky was at work on this day, so Adam took us by ding-ding back to Hong Kong Central, where we ascended the Mid-level Escalators (which avoid walking up the steep city hills), and wandered around the old government buildings built in the times of British rule. The Hong Kong Chinese are very proud of their British past, and defend their democracy, capitalism and freedom as much as they can, while Big Brother watches over them! We then went down to the harbourside to catch the old Star Ferry from Hong Kong Island across to the Kowloon Peninsula. After a walk through the delightful streets of central Kowloon, we came across the very busy and famous Mong Kok Markets, where goods of all sorts are sold. You need to bargain hard for the best deal, and luckily for Adam, he is an expert bargainer! Heading home, we met Becky at a bar at 6.30 pm, and then went to a restaurant for dinner, before retiring for the night. We were happy to have seen so much of Hong Kong, but were absolutely exhausted, due to our continuing virus. Thank you, Adam, for showing us around so much of the city - great effort. XX

    We woke at 3.30 am, with the second round of jetlag! After breakfast, we met Adam, Becky and Jasper on the ding-ding, and headed to the Peak Tram, an old, cable-driven affair, a bit like the Scenic Railway at Katoomba, but on a gentler slope. From Victoria Peak, the mountain that dominates Hong Kong Island, we could see some great views. Luckily, the Chinese smog had cleared up a little to make the trip worthwhile. The views were spectacular. We caught the No. 16 bus back down at breakneck speed, with sheer drops plummeting below us, and Oki found that ride far more exciting than the trip up the mountain! Back down at Wharf 5, we caught the ferry to one of Hong Kong’s other islands where fishing villages are located. They are a lovely escape from the frantic hustle and bustle of Hong Kong, and are a great tourist attraction, with many fresh seafood restaurants vying for business along their foreshores. We visited Cheung Chau Island, an hour’s ferry trip from Hong Kong. It was a lovely island, and we had a good walk around before sitting down to a delicious seafood lunch. We caught a fast ferry and taxi back home, and relaxed at Adam’s flat in the evening with a take-away Chinese meal. A great day it was.

    The following day, Oki and I babysat Jasper, while Adam and Becky went to work. Jasper was still sick with a virus, and so were we, so we mainly stayed at home, letting Jasper play with his toys. He is such a good little boy. After a while, we took him down to the building’s playroom, where he played for a short time. Then we put him in the buggy and walked him along the waterfront for a while, and around the local shops, before stopping at a café for a rest. After a few more hours back home, Adam finally returned from work, much to my relief. Babysitting for a couple of hours is a delightful way to get to know a grandchild, but I find nine hours too long, especially when sick with a virus.

    The last day in Hong Kong was one of our best. If you only have one day in Hong Kong, this is what I would recommend. Catch the ding-ding from Kennedy Town in the west of the island all the way through the heart of the city to Shau Kei Wan in the east. It is a one hour fifty minute trip, and if you sit up on the top deck at the front, you will see everything, and get great photos. The cost of this wonderful ride will be 40 cents! We caught the bus back, after having lunch and a stroll around the food markets, and this trip only took 40 minutes, taking a different route along the foreshore and through the modern business district. This return ride cost another whole 40 cents! Public transport is so regular, cheap and efficient that no one in Hong Kong needs a car. As a result, the city streets are not gridlocked with traffic, which is a great pleasure to experience. The British built the 30 km of ding-ding tramways in 1904, and the trams have served Hong Kong beautifully ever since. In the evening, we caught an Uber to the airport, and made our 11-hour flight back to Sydney. 

    Chris, very kindly, picked Oki up and took him all the way back to Kandos, a 4-hour drive west of Sydney. My virus was at its worst now, and I was exhausted. I stayed in the Railway Square Youth Hostel overnight, sharing the room with three others. Finally, I made the flight back to Hobart, and my lovely friend, Jan, collected me. The trip was wonderful. We saw so much and caught up with so many relatives and friends, but it was really nice to get home, unpack, unwind and rest. My virus is nearly over now, but it is the longest-lasting virus I have ever had. Thank you, Adam and Becky, for looking after us so well, and showing us so much of Hong Kong. It was wonderful. Hopefully, I will be back again soon. XX