"Treasures of Cruising the World" with Bill & Mary Ann: Report # 62 Hong Kong, People's Republic of China March 2, 2016 Wednesday Partly sunny & 65 degrees Part # 1 of 2 59 Pictures

Sent: Wednesday, March 2, 2016 2:28:43 PM
Subject: Report # 62 Hong Kong, People's Republic of China March 2, 2016 Wednesday Partly sunny & 65 degrees Part # 1 of 2 59 Pictures

Report # 62 Hong Kong, People's Republic of China March 2, 2016 Wednesday Partly sunny & 65 degrees Part # 1 of 2 59 Pictures

The Amsterdam sailed into Victoria Harbour around 8:30am this morning. It is where the fabulous city of Hong Kong is situated. With Location Guide, Barbara H giving a commentary, we all enjoyed her narration on the ship's bow. To sweeten the deal, Star Ferry rolls (aka Panama rolls) and orange juice or coffee was served to everyone. In fact this service was available on all outside decks until the ship docked by the Star Ferry piers.

Early morning foggy haze shrouded the skyscrapers in the distance, but cleared somewhat the nearer we got. We could see Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island, a very promising sign that if the fog clears up, views from that mountaintop will be spectacular.

We thought it was odd that we had not been given instructions about a face-to-face passport inspection with the Chinese officials. We have always had to appear in the Kings Room to pick up our passports, then get our temperature taken before proceeding to an official to be cleared. Then we would turn in the passports to the front desk folks to keep onboard, unless you needed them to leave Hong Kong. This did not happen today. Only those passengers who were either going to Macau or going to mainland China had to go to an inspection. Two overland adventures went to the Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Warriors. These people were leaving first thing this morning, so they had to be inspected first. We're not sure if they had to be cleared first in order for the rest of us to go ashore. At one point, Gene was calling the late-comers by cabin number and name. One thing we know for sure, is that you don't want to mess with Chinese officials. One time many years ago, we almost pulled out of a port in China, because the officials insisted that the crew number did not match the crew that was onboard. They insisted on counting over and over, delaying some groups that had flights to overlands. Close to missing those flights, the captain gave them an ultimatum. One last count, and it was yes, we stay, or no, we go. Eventully, we stayed. And the folks got to their flights on time. Just barely.

Since this was not our first trip here, we were not in a big hurry to take off. We had not booked any organized tours here. Breakfast was great in the dining room, where we made our plans for the day. So by 10:30am, we wound our way through the Ocean Center and Harbour City. This multi-level shopping mall is huge and very upscale. Also quite easy to get lost. From memory, we knew to head in one direction, not taking any side lanes. The Royal Pacific Hotel is at the far end, and the exit where we cross the street to go up towards Nathan Road. That is where the main artery that cuts through Kowloon Island is located.

There is no other place in the world that we can think of that has so many jewelry stores, or electronics shops. With all that shopping, you will find crowds of locals unequal to any other place in the world as well. We slowly made our way to the Flower Market, which seemed like 100 miles uphill. Truthfully, it was more like three miles maybe. Yes, we could have taken a bus, but we needed the exercise.

The Flower Market is a block full of small shops that sell fresh cut bouquets of roses, bulbs, carnations, mums, and seasonal blossoms. Potted plants are also available. One of their biggest sellers is an assortment of orchids. Besides being beautiful, they are quite affordable, depending on how many bloom spikes they have. Funny story we recall on one tour a few years ago. One lady on our bus insisted on buying a rather large potted orchid with three long bloom spikes. Sitting in the front of the coach, she guarded her purchase, making sure no one touched her flowers. Well, the bus started going downhill, hitting some speed bumps, which caused the plant to bounce up and down. The flowers were going up and down, and of course, at one point snapped. Boy, was she mad. So we knew to stick to something smaller. We found three tiny pots with miniature orchid flowers that could be hung from our window light fixture. All we have to do is keep the air roots moist, and they will survive for the rest of the trip.

We also bought an extra-large bouquet of small carnations ($10 US), and a tropical calla lily that we can plant in soil or keep in water. This plant will be a test to see how it survives.

Right across from the Flower Market is the Bird Market. We had heard rumors that this property was going to be bought and the birds would be gone. Much to our delight, it was still there. Song birds, as well as parrots, finches, parakeets, love birds, lorikeets, and cockatiels are sold here. Many of the old Chinese retired folks bring their caged birds to this market to have their pets learn to sing. It is not uncommon to see a stack of 25 small cages of tiny birds chirping away. All different types of traditional cages are also sold here. We already have two of them at home, so really did not need another one. But we did purchase two "bugs", a praying mantis and a cricket on wires to stick in our live plants.

From here, we carefully crossed the street to find the Ladies Market. We say "carefully" because this is not a place to cross against the red lights. Traffic comes in a direction that we are not used to, so looking both ways is a must. Even then, trucks and cars race, not slowing down for anything. The ladies market was a closed down street that went for blocks. It was full of clothing, shoes, linens, toys, jewelry, household items, and even As Seen on TV products. We bought five cloth shopping bags in pouches for about $1.29 each. They are so useful now that plastic bags have been removed from many stores. At the last block, many stands had fresh produce, much of it very Asian in origin.

Somehow, we came across a small fish and meat market where live fish and crustaceans were for sale. One area had cured pork items for sale. This is a much smaller version of the food market here, which we will probably tour tomorrow. This street happened to parallel Nathan Road, so the walk back was not as long. Downhill is also better.

We got back to the ship, put the flowers in water, and headed off for lunch. Guess what we had? Pizza of course, at a restaurant directly across from the ship in Harbour City. It is appropriately called Pizza Express, and has the best margherita pie in Hong Kong. Two beers were most welcome too.

On our way back to the ship, we ran right into our friend Maureen, our Art and Crafts Instructor from several previous world cruises. She was here visiting today, as she is staying here in Hong Kong to join the ship tomorrow. Although she will dine at an earlier time, she plans to join us for dessert some nights. Great to see her.

Barb and Martha had plans to eat out, probably dim sum, and Bonnie and Paul decided to go to the Night Market. So we had a quiet table for two tonight. Tomorrow, we will get friends joining for the rest of the cruise….Leslie and Handler. Our table will finally be full with eight of us. One more, Ruud, will make that number nine in Dubai.

We had breaded shrimp with a sweet chili sauce for appetizers, followed by pot roast and mashed potatoes for our entrees. We did see part of the nightly light show that takes place from the Avenue of the Stars, another place we plan to visit tomorrow. It was such a busy day, we needed to rest up for tomorrow. There was a good show in the Queens Lounge, actually a movie called The Forger with John Travolta. Hope it eventually comes to the TV line up, as we could never make it up too late tonight.

Bill & Mary Ann

Explosive waves hitting the ship