Hong Kong

    We arrived in Hong Kong after a two day delay due to Airplane malfunction. We were set up in a 5 star Bali hotel for the night and the next day we were to be at the airport  to leave at 8 PM. It was quite an ordeal because we left Bali about 1 AM so we lost two days in Hong Kong.

    We arrived in Hong Kong around 6 AM with the overnight flight and very little sleep. They did bus us to the center of Kowloon but we had to then get to our hotel so with the help of an English speaking hotel person he was able to tell the taxi driver where to take us.

    I was really amazed that most of the people on the street and in the retail establishments do not speak english. It became important to me when I found myself lost for about 1 1/2 hours on the busiest street in Hong Kong and could not find a person who could speak english to get directions from. After 3 months together Bob and I found it imperative that we go separate ways for awhile so I went off on my way. It was not the best of days to do this as we had very little sleep for two days with the airport snafu and so had very little patience as well. (I did know where I was just on the opposite side of the street and there was no sign on that side for my street, I was a little slow figuring that out)

    We set up a tour to the Northwest Territories for the following day and that was very nice as I like the country side especially after the packed streets of Hong Kong.

    We then had to prepare to leave Hong Kong so Bob took off to some Temples to take photo’s and I rested knowing full well it would be a long day.

    The great thing we liked about Hong Kong is their subway system, ferries, double decker buses and subway under the harbor. Those were great but since our visit in ’96 they put in a new airport which is far away from the city so they put in a train system to take you to the airport. You can pick up a free shuttle to take you to the train station and at the station you can check in to your airline, get rid of the bags and proceed on to the train for a 23 minute ride or go back out to do more shopping. What a great idea and very modern, clean, comfortable train to a big airport.

 After using all my energy with the crushing crowded sidewalks and not enough sleep it made me want to go home so I was ready for this 3 months to end, at least for a week or so.