The morning was grey and as my view of the
mountain from my 16th floor room was obscured by thick mist so decided
to postpone my plan to go to Victoria
Peak. Instead caught the
ferry to explore the local streets and markets in Kowloon.
My guide book featured an interesting looking walk so I headed up Nathan Road to the Tin
Hau temple. On the way I sidestepped
into Kowloon Park, which is an oasis of green amid
the surrounding skyscrapers but so neat and carefully cultivated it felt
manufactured rather than natural.
Continuing my walk up Nathan road, modern shops and buildings contrasted
vividly with the bent, gnarled banyan trees that lined the street..
I nearly walked past the temple, not
realising I’d passed it. Inside were
shrines to different Gods.. In the short
time I was there, it surprised me how many people came to honour the Gods. The air was heavy with the smoky perfume of
incense, which was funnelled by strange birdcage-shaped frames made from bamboo
that hung from the ceiling. Lit sticks
were placed next to offerings of fruit in front of the ornate, colourful statues. Before leaving, those paying their respects,
bowed then hit a gong at the side of the room.
Because it was Chinese New Year the Jade
market was closed. At least it saved me
having to resist the temptation to spend money on jewellery though I might go
back on my last day. I did however find
a street market with stall after stall filled with fruit and vegetables, half
of which I didn’t recognise.
While standing in one narrow street, I met
a Hong Kong family. Their two little boys, who were both under
four, were counting up to thirty in English and were very happy when they found
out I was English. They were very cute
though counting was about as far as their bi-lingual skills went.
After lunch in the Chinese Kitchen, I
caught the train to Times Square in Causeway
Bay to look round the
shops there. While drifting through the streets with no destination or plan in
mind, I found a bustling market down streets so dark and narrow I thought for a
moment I was in a covered area. I did manage
to find my way back to the hotel with a short stop at Starbucks for a cup of
good old English tea and a spot of people watching.
This evening I walked to Wan Chai harbour
to watch the fireworks. It was a half
hour spectactular shower of rainbow colours that lit up the night sky and
reflected magicallyoff the tall glass buildings edging the water. I tried to catch it on camera but the lens
can’t do it justice. So many people
crowded the harbour yet I was impressed how quietly and orderly everyone was on
leaving. No mad scramble like at home. Streets were closed to traffic making it a
lot easier to clear the area.
To finish off the evening I went down the
basement bar in the hotel to claim my complimentary pint of lager, can’t miss
out on a free drink.
