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HONG KONG
(Hong Kong Flag)
(Hong Kong Map)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009:
On Tuesday we docked at a container terminal on the Kowloon Peninsula.
A young group of entertainers was there to Welcome the Diamond Princess to Hong Kong.
The first place I visited was Aberdeen Harbour where I took a sampan ride.
Next on the itinerary was Stanley Market.
Stanley Market is one of those places where every tour operator dumps all of their clients to buy worthless junk.
There is an array of little shops selling silk garments, sportswear, art, Chinese costume jewelry and souvenirs.
The highlight of any trip to Hong Kong is the spectacular view from Victoria Peak.
At an altitude of 1,810 feet, it is the highest mountain on the island proper.
It's a major tourist attraction offering panoranic views of central Hong Kong, Victoria Harbour, and surrounding islands.
After descending from Victoria Peak on the tram funicular, I took the Star Ferry from Kowloon to central Hong Kong.
The fleet of twelve ferries carryies over 70,000 passengers a day, or 26 million a year.
Even though there are now other ways to cross the harbour the Star Ferry continues to be efficient, popular and inexpensive.
The company's main route runs between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui and has become one of the icons of Hong Kong heritage.
I spent a little time walking around central Hong Kong.
Unfortunately, I was suffering from a cold and started feeling poorly so I returned to the ship.
It was a fun evening back on the ship. We were entertained by a talented group of young Chinese acrobats.
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22 minute video of Acrobatic Show aboard the Diamond Princess in Hong Kong. Click on the links to play video. |
The highlight of the evening is when the Diamond Princess sailed through Victoria Harbour during the Symphony of Lights.
A Symphony of Lights is a synchronised building exterior decorative light and laser multimedia display,
featuring 44 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour accompanied by symphonic music.
Guinness World Records has named A Symphony of Lights the world's largest permanent light and sound show.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2009:
After sailing through Victoria Harbour Tuesday evening we did not return to our berth.
We dropped anchor in Junk Bay which is about a forty minute tender ride from central Hong Kong.
On a gloomy Wednesday with a little light rain I ventured out to Lantau Island.
We crossed the Tsing Ma Bridge as we left Hong Kong Island.
It's the world’s seventh longest span suspension bridge. It has a main span of 4,518 feet and a height of 676 feet.
Our first stop on Lantau was Upper Cheung Sha Beach.
Our second stop was at Tai O fishing village.
Most of the people in Tai O have painstakingly built their homes on stilts,
and they navigate through the waters on colorful and oftentimes dilapidated boats.
The highlight of the day was the Tian Tan Buddha. This is the world's largest sitting Buddha.
The bronze Buddha is 110 feet tall and weighs 250 metric tons.
There is a nice view of Lantau Island from the base of the Buddha.
Visitors have to climb 268 steps in order to reach the Buddha.
The statue is located near Po Lin Monastery where we had a vegetarian lunch.
After two great days in Hong Kong we sailed away around 6:00 Wednesday evening.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009:
On Thursday we sailed across the South China Sea bound for Vietnam.
Late Thursday evening there was a party around the pool on deck 14.
Click on the arrow above to continue to my next adventure, VIETNAM.
| CANON DIGITAL REBEL XTi |  10.1 mega pixels Large 2.5 inch LCD monitor Fast 3 frames per secnd shooting High precision, wide area 9-point autofocus system Integrated Cleaning System featuring a Self Cleaning Sensor Unit Fully compatible with over 60 EF and EF-S Lenses |
Body Only (Silver) Black with 18-55mm Lens Silver with 18-55mm Lens 17-85mm Lens with Stabilizer 10-22mm Ultra Wide Zoom Lens 55-200mm Zoom Lens |
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Lens used were Canon's EF-S 17-85, EF-S 10-22 and EF 55-200. | |
| TIM'S HOME PAGE SITE INDEX | ||
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