MANALI + TERRY | Newlyweds Backpack Round The World » China

Hong Kong | China :: Out & About In Hong Kong

Terry — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:31:47 +0000

As with all places one visits, comes the question, “Could I live here?” Manali and I have asked ourselves this question over and over, but we finally and excitedly said “YES!” to Hong Kong. Have you been to New York? Or perhaps Beijing? Hong Kong is sort of a mix between the two. Driven by strong brand conscious consumers, a vibrant business community with international reach and lots of culture, Hong Kong is truly an amazing mix of new and old. Like New York there is also some underlying intangible energy that runs through you when you are in this city.

Western influence in the city is evident everywhere you look. An interesting note is the cultural difference in Hong Kong versus mainland China. Folks in Hong Kong seem to have a more progressive mentality, and in fact seem to shun any association with China itself. One from Hong Kong is certainly not Chinese, as this might offend. They are from Hong Kong and you should know. Perhaps it has something to do with their more refined lifestyle.

If you are coming to Asia, please do a favor and put Hong Kong on your itinerary.

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Hong Kong | China: Symphony Of Lights

Terry — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:00:01 +0000

An absolute must see and do when you come to Hong Kong, is for sure the “Symphony of Lights”. We happened to go for two nights, as we enjoyed it so thoroughly the first time. Once the sun has tucked itself in quite proper, and the hour reaches 8 o’clock, a cacophony of sounds and light come alive amid the skyscrapers across Victoria Harbor on Hong Kong Island. The best viewing spot is along the Avenue of Stars, a waterfront promenade on the Kowloon side, providing a spectacular view.

Click for larger view.

The harbor herself obliges nicely with stunning reflective visuals, and an incessant stream of tugs, freighters and fish boats lucky enough to be in the vicinity.

Click for larger view.

Hong Kong itself is a lively and energizing city, to come here alone is fortune, and to be blessed is to gaze at this skyline in the dark evening sky.

Click for larger view.

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Hong Kong | China: Victoria Peak
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Hong Kong | China: Tai O Fishing Village

Terry — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:00:20 +0000

Earlier in the day we visited the Tian Tan Buddha, and couldn’t leave the area without a glimpse of Tai O Fishing Village. There is nothing completely interesting about this place aside from its somewhat unique location and architecture. The little village is located right on the water, with mountains looming closely behind to create an interesting backdrop. Most of the homes themselves are built directly over the water on stilts. Some still use traditional wood stilts but we noticed some steel and concrete as well.

Not entirely remarkable, but if you are in the area to see the Buddha, take the bus for pittance in fare to Tai O and take a walk around.

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Hong Kong | China: Victoria Peak

Terry — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:00:50 +0000

Tonight we rode to the top of Victoria Peak. The Peak, as locals know it, offers some of the most stunning views of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Victoria Harbor. Like many things in China, even in Hong Kong, the tourist hoards are ever present, so there was a lot of patience involved.

The Peak Tram is the ideal, and most popular tourist selection to get to the top of Victoria Peak. You can also ride the bus, which is also a little bit of an adventure as you wind through narrow roads, overlooking steep fall offs below.

Timing our trip to get to the viewing area, The Sky Terrace, just before dusk worked perfectly. A couple of photos were snapped off just before the sun descended beyond the horizon, and we watched patiently for the lights of city to glow below.

Click for larger view.

Entranced by the glowing city seemingly at our feet, I consciously attempted to burn the image in my mind forever, only wishing I live in Hong Kong for awhile, so I could come back another night.

Click for larger view.

Website: http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/home.asp

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Hong Kong | China: Tian Tan Buddha

Terry — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:38:07 +0000

Today, we sought out a little spirituality. We don’t do it enough, but in whatever form it may come, taking time to reflect, particularly in extraordinary spiritual places provides a wonderfully cathartic experience.

We are staying in the famed Chunking Mansions in Kowloon, immediately opposite of Hong Kong Island, which is pretty much the heart of the city. A brief walk to the convenient metro stop located right outside of our guest house put us on the way eastward to Tung Chung.

The Tian Tan Buddha was until 2007, the largest outdoor seated Buddha in the world. The pictures may not provide the appropriate justice, but the Buddha really is GIANT. It is perched on top of a hill, and a lotus throne, but the statue itself is 110 feet tall, and an incredible 250 tons.

From the Tung Chung metro stop, you have the option to take a really picturesque cable car ride lasting about 30 minutes to the perch. The view inside of the cable car can get pretty incredible, and as you ride from peak to peak up to the Buddha perch, the distance between your car and the ground seems endless.

Unfortunately, pollution from mainland China extends right into Hong Kong, providing an unwanted haze to your view.

The Buddha statue is so big, you first get a glimpse with more than 5 minutes left of your cable car ride. Some have said on a clear day you can see it from Macau, which is incredibly far away.

Getting to the summit, where the Buddha is seated requires a little step work, 268 of them to be specific. Memories of The Great Wall, flashed into our minds, and this seemed wonderful in comparison.

With our spiritual tanks full, and our souls energized to once again go forth into the world, we took off on the bus for Tai O Fishing Village.

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Hong Kong | China: Hong Kong Currency Is Art!

Terry — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:58:54 +0000

If there were a contest for the coolest currency in the world, and perhaps the one you would most likely keep just to look at later, it would definitely be Hong Kong’s. Isn’t it neat? Another interesting note is that the private banks also issue money here, hence the logos. We LOVE our Hong Kong money!

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Hong Kong | China: Mid Autumn Festival

Terry — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:36:24 +0000

One of the most important holidays on the Chinese Calendar, is a celebration dating back 3,000 years, when a gentleman named Chang’e was lifted up to the moon. We’re guessing he was consequently worshiped. This time of the year, the moon is at its fullest and brightest, so China continues to celebrate. This is also known at the Lantern Festival, so you see folks carrying lots of little lanterns and eating a ton of moon cakes.

A light display in Victoria Park.

The festival was more or less Victoria Park decorated with teams of electrical lights, and a few light displays. Nothing fantastic. For some reason, I was expecting something different, a little more traditional. Perhaps we would all huddle around the riverfront, make some charitable donation to receive a modest lantern with candle, light it and watch it float away on warm air and our wishes of good health and prosperity. I guess I’m too romantic or I’ve watched that on the Discovery Channel at some point.

Best part of the Mid Autumn Festival in Hong Kong? This little guy!

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Terry — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:13:22 +0000

Just arrived, but feel the electricity of this city buzzing through us, propelling us and giving us a bit of city excitement we haven’t felt probably since Tokyo. Hong Kong is like a merge of Tokyo and Beijing, with a little bit of New York thrown in for attitude. More later!

On the Avenue of Stars taking in a gorgeous view of Hong Kong Island.

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Guangzhou | China: National Day Parade & Celebration

Terry — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:07:32 +0000

During National Day in China, we were on the move, leaving Guilin on our way to Hong Kong via Guangzhou. As we lugged our increasingly weighty bags through the Guangzhou airport, we caught site of some of the National Day parade occurring in Beijing. Amidst the big cities, you sometimes forget the country is still governed by Communist leadership. Watching the parade it becomes abundantly clear that China still maintains a death grip in controlling image and strength for the nation. And those blue skies? Cloud seeding. In the month we were in China, not a blue sky in site.

Like nearly all in other in China, we watched the parade on the television. That was interesting, as parades in the United States are all about the people on the street. The National Day parade was by invitation only.

Like the Beijing Olympics, China aims to impress, and their parade and celebration was nothing short of amazing, and I’m not sure if any other country can put together a show quite like the Chinese.

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Guilin | China: Li River Beauty

Terry — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:00:26 +0000

Tales of picturesque mountains nurturing a winding and beautiful river led us to Guilin, China and nearby Yangshuo. We arrived into Guilin International Airport just as the sun set, leaving the 45 minute ride into the Guilin city limits dark and illuminated sparingly by lamps along the roadside. Despite our dim transit, a full moon illuminated the surrounding peaks just enough to define striking silhouettes, entirely surrounding the road into the city as if welcoming us to our home for the immediate future. As had occurred so many times before, only laying eyes on pictures of some future destination through a magazine or website, we rested easy knowing we had arrived safely and as intended.

Our first order of business was to arrange some sort of trip down the Li River. Several tour operators we inquired with, including those at the hostel, were charging between 200 and 400 RMB. The more expensive included the lengthy 4 hour cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. After a bit of research, we found the most picturesque portion of the Li River lay between Yangdi and Xingping, a smaller portion of river between Guiling and Yangshuo. We decided we would try to hire a bamboo raft to take us through this portion, and understood we could take a bus from Guilin to Yangdi and then a bus from Xingping onto Yangshuo. We inquired about the details from our Hostel, Guilin Wada, who were more then helpful.

In short, we took the bus from Guilin to Yangdi (10RMB/person) which dropped us off westward down the road from the pier. Taking an additional bus from the Yangdi township to the pier eastward (3 RMB/person), we arrived much to the delight of a group of hawkers and bamboo rafters. We had already arranged in Yangdi township bus stop (really just a corner of a road T intersection) to pay 120 RMB, for the whole raft, so 60 RMB/person to take us from Yangdi to Xingping. We did this rather hurridly, mostly in my frantic excitement. We likely could have haggled for less, but I felt a little bad for the old chap, as I felt this was a very good deal already.

Our boat ride down the river went as expected lasting about 2 hours. There was a little bit of confusion as we arrived into Xingping, since he wouldn’t drop us off on the east side of the river, where the township was located. There apparently is some local tax support in effect, as we had to pay 1 RMB each to board a small vessel to cross the 30 meters of river. Simply said, don’t freak out if your rafter drops you on the east side, simply wait at the large concrete landing for the next “ferry” across.

Upon our arrival in Xingping, we perused a bit, then hopped aboard the bus to Yangshuo. There is one road in Xingping, just keep walking until you see all the buses. If you are not into walking all about and making mistakes, perform charades every two blocks to make sure you are going the right direction. Bus fare was 5.50 RMB per person from Xingping to Yangshuo, putting us right into town prior to sunset.

Yangshuo is certainly a backpacker town of sorts. The town contained the most western oriented food we had seen since our arrival in China, much to our delight. Having accomplished what we set out too for the day, we were satisfied and content. We walked around town a bit, bought a beer to keep us company, and hopped back on a bus for Guilin, costing 15 RMB per person, and taking about 2 hours. We slept sound that night, knowing we did it ourselves, saved some money and everything went off without a hitch. This actually suprised the hostel girl who had helped us confirm details. She noted, “usually I tell people, but they always come back saying something went horribly wrong”. I’m glad we were able to surprise her that day!

Oh, so we also took a half day or so and took the bus out to the Reed Flute Caves. I really don’t even want to recommend this little tourist site, because it is way overpriced, and they rush you through like cattle. Everything is also lit up in sections, so if you don’t walk to pace, you find yourself staring at pitch black rocks, which you can imagine are even more majestic than when lit. Another little interesting factoid about China…when you complain folks have an almost automatic response to simply stare at you and act dumbfounded. And I’m not talking about being rude or belligerent at all in your complaint either, but this seems to be the case quite consistently. Anyway, if you want to be ushered through this trap, highly recommended, otherwise, not really worth the horrid 90 RMB/person. Half of it was that we did nearly the whole Li River trip for just about the same money, and it was so phenomenal, and was somewhat truly authentic.

P.S. If you are in for an even more exciting experience, there are portions of the river where one can hike. Not in the cards for us this time, but seems like a lot of fun!

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