Tuesday 16th, our 4th full day in HK, brought another busy schedule as we wandered around different parts of the city Our trip started with the Chinese Gardens across on the mainland. In essence, these were an historic botanical gardens and had much in common with the many Japanese gardens I've visited over the years. Alas, it rained on and off during our visit.
The picture below shows the interior of the building on the left. It contained models of some of the buildings in the gardens.
As in most parts of HK, tall apartment blocks were rarely far from view.
The fish-pond contained carp and the fake waterfall masked much of the restaurant underneath! And there was even a waterwheel like many I've seen in the UK. Some of the plants exhibited were, as one would expect, bonzied.
And a 'museum' displayed many kind of polished rock.
It was a most attractive garden and well worth a visit. However, we could delay departure for long because our next destination was back in the CBD and a trip up an escalator. This 'escalator' was not one, but a large number of successive ramps up a steep hillside. Let's have a look at this extraordinary public service! We approached the escalator over a pedestrian foot-bridge - one of a huge number in HK to separate dense vehicular traffic from equally dense hoards of people on foot. On the right is the first stage. And all the way up we had excellent views of narrow streets teeming with life.
Another walkway leading to another escalator and another view of a traffic jam!
And another escalator on the left followed by yet another! Part-way up we stopped for a quick, but nice, meal
After the meal came another escalator as shown on the right!
And this was followed on the left by another. And, if you look at the picture below right you can see a succession of covered escalators stretching all the way down the hillside.
Two more escalators are shown - one left and the other right.
Two more - left and right, but we're almost getting to the top!
And here I think is the last stretch, which took us up to the top! Again we had views of narrow and congested streets.
Whatever you think of these images, all I can say is that our party was enthralled by the experience!
After we retired to our hotel I took a stroll through nearby Victoria Park, a rare area of green open space in the heart of the city. Here's the Queen sitting on her throne, admiring her park.
And, nearby, there are some playing fields with artificial turf.
These, in turn are surrounded by walking paths and abundant vegetation.
There were even some prancing horses!
And Causeway Bay lay alongside. It was a very pleasant 30 minute walk.
And now I'll dwell on the last part of a very busy day.
We explored the Night Market over on the Kowloon side of the city.
As usual we took a train for cheapness and convenience and the journey was swift despite the train being packed. Here we are on our way.
The markets themselves were teeming with life despite it being about 8 pm in evening. I guess street life is attractive compared with living in cramped apartments.
The markets occupied a street and many of the corridors were narrow. Few goods on sale had a price tag and patrons were expected to haggle over prices. Max must have been good at that because he negotiated the purchase of two watches at an agreeable price.
Emily and I were certainly enjoying ourselves. It was at these markets that we all ate our first Eggettes. These are made from the same ingredients as waffles, but they comprise a host of bubbles on a thin waffle surface. They were delicious when filled with ice cream and I believe they're available in Australia. Try some if you have the chance! Here's Max trying out this delicious meal, with Dot in the background.
AS
The picture below shows the interior of the building on the left. It contained models of some of the buildings in the gardens.
As in most parts of HK, tall apartment blocks were rarely far from view.
The fish-pond contained carp and the fake waterfall masked much of the restaurant underneath! And there was even a waterwheel like many I've seen in the UK. Some of the plants exhibited were, as one would expect, bonzied.
And a 'museum' displayed many kind of polished rock.
It was a most attractive garden and well worth a visit. However, we could delay departure for long because our next destination was back in the CBD and a trip up an escalator. This 'escalator' was not one, but a large number of successive ramps up a steep hillside. Let's have a look at this extraordinary public service! We approached the escalator over a pedestrian foot-bridge - one of a huge number in HK to separate dense vehicular traffic from equally dense hoards of people on foot. On the right is the first stage. And all the way up we had excellent views of narrow streets teeming with life.
Another walkway leading to another escalator and another view of a traffic jam!
And another escalator on the left followed by yet another! Part-way up we stopped for a quick, but nice, meal
After the meal came another escalator as shown on the right!
And this was followed on the left by another. And, if you look at the picture below right you can see a succession of covered escalators stretching all the way down the hillside.
Two more escalators are shown - one left and the other right.
Two more - left and right, but we're almost getting to the top!
And here I think is the last stretch, which took us up to the top! Again we had views of narrow and congested streets.
Whatever you think of these images, all I can say is that our party was enthralled by the experience!
After we retired to our hotel I took a stroll through nearby Victoria Park, a rare area of green open space in the heart of the city. Here's the Queen sitting on her throne, admiring her park.
And, nearby, there are some playing fields with artificial turf.
These, in turn are surrounded by walking paths and abundant vegetation.
There were even some prancing horses!
And Causeway Bay lay alongside. It was a very pleasant 30 minute walk.
And now I'll dwell on the last part of a very busy day.
We explored the Night Market over on the Kowloon side of the city.
As usual we took a train for cheapness and convenience and the journey was swift despite the train being packed. Here we are on our way.
The markets themselves were teeming with life despite it being about 8 pm in evening. I guess street life is attractive compared with living in cramped apartments.
The markets occupied a street and many of the corridors were narrow. Few goods on sale had a price tag and patrons were expected to haggle over prices. Max must have been good at that because he negotiated the purchase of two watches at an agreeable price.
Emily and I were certainly enjoying ourselves. It was at these markets that we all ate our first Eggettes. These are made from the same ingredients as waffles, but they comprise a host of bubbles on a thin waffle surface. They were delicious when filled with ice cream and I believe they're available in Australia. Try some if you have the chance! Here's Max trying out this delicious meal, with Dot in the background.AS
No comments:
Post a Comment