Chinese junk as coming into dock
Before I describe my experience of Hong Kong, I thought I might pause and write about the many excursions offered by Holland America. Of course, passengers are free to do whatever they want when they go ashore but there are certain advantages to going on an excursion which has been planned by folks who know what they are doing. I did not know, until I began chatting with passengers, just how many repeat cruisers there are. I do not mean people who have taken a short cruise here and there. Many passengers on this world cruise have circled the world a dozen times or more! People who have already visited a port several times can still explore new areas of interest through the variety of excursions offered.
One particularly reassuring fact about these arranged excursions is that if something goes terribly wrong and the ship leaves without you, Holland America will pay whatever costs are involved to get you back on board. I know it sounds extra strict for a ship to take off without all its passengers back on board but shipping regulations regarding entrances and exits from harbors are very precise. I remember, many years ago when I was in Mazatlan, I looked up to see a cruise ship sailing away. A HORRIBLE FEELING swept over me when I thought I was being left to my own resources in Mexico. It was not my ship and I was keeping my eye on my watch but nonetheless, I experienced a wave of panic.
I was very curious about the shore excursions when I was considering taking this world cruise. It would be a little too tedious for me, and boring for readers, to duplicate the lengthy descriptions of the ten excursions offered for our Hong Kong visit. I have selected one to share in detail. After I provide the write-up for this one excursion, I will list the titles, times and costs to the other nine.Magnificent Macau 10 hours $200.
Macau is just 60 minutes from Hong Kong by fast ferry, and is an ideal destination for those who have previously visited Hong Kong. The island was colonized by Portugal for 400 years, but reverted to Chinese rule in1999. It is known as the Monte Carlo of the Far East for its annual Formula 3 Grand Prix race through the narrow streets. The territory is an intriguing blend of cultures—unmistakably Asian, but nonetheless draped in a Portuguese cloak, embroidered with senescent European charm. Your visit today will include old and new Macau. You will stop at a Buddhist temple, and see the Porto de Cerco Gate, which marks the old border between Portugal and China. You’ll visit the ruins of St. Paul’s—a 16th –century church built by Italian and Japanese Jesuit priests—and the Macau Tower. This is the tenth-tallest freestanding tower in the world. A buffet lunch is served at the Macau Tower.
Here is a list of the other excursions:
· Hong Kong Highlights 5 hours $70.00
· Best of Hong Kong 8 hours $200.00
· Hong Kong Night View by Tram 3 hours $90.00
· Ancient Hong Kong 5 hours $145.00
· Cook Like a Local 4 hours $250.00
· East Meets West 3 hours $145.00
· Hong Kong City Tour: Hop-On, Hop-Off 6 hours $59.00
· Explore Lantau Island & Monastery 8 hrs $175.00
· Off the Beaten Track: A Day in the Life of Hong Kong 4 hours $55.00
Mary and I took the “Hong Kong Highlights tour. The first thing we did was take a funicular tram up to Victoria Park. This was like a Disneyland ride but a little more exciting for me because there were not enough seats and I had to stand. Victoria peak is 1805 feet above sea level. From the park, you get a phenomenal view of Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbor and the Kowloon Peninsula. After I took pictures of the view, I took pictures of people taking pictures of the view. After that, I explored the very pleasant park. Access to Victoria Peak is not limited to the funicular tram. At a set time, we clambered aboard the bus which came up on a winding, but good, road to continue our excursion.
There are beautiful views to be enjoyed in the Hong Kong area. Our bus took us to an area with a singularly unappealing name, Repulse Bay. I saw beaches rivaling what can be seen in La Jolla.After enjoying the view, we were taken to Aberdeen where fisherman and their families live on junks and sampans. I got to ride on a sampan! I really enjoyed this aspect of the tour. I hope it is not just because I have gone on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” so many times at Disneyland.
After our sampan ride, we proceeded to a jewelry workshop. I have already stated that jewelry is not really “my thing.” We entered the workshop by way of an elevator. To this day, I am unsure whether we went up or down on the ancient elevator. We wound our way down hallways and I saw some very messy offices. I noticed a sign in one of the offices. It was a picture of a toddler with an expression of frustration on his face. The words under the picture simply said “Speak English.”
There may have been as many as two dozen sales people in the showroom. Their command of the English language had a direct relationship to the sales. If I had to master Chinese to make sales, I would starve.
In the back of the very large showroom, there was an old Indian motorcycle on display. There was also a statue of an American Indian against a wall near the motorcycle. I have no idea why this was in the showroom but the faces of more than one gentleman on the tour brightened when I directed them to this motorcycle display.Most tours included Stanley Village which includes Stanley Market. The market is described as famous for its clothes, souvenirs, and great inexpensive knock-offs of designer goods. Stanley is one of Hong Kong’s oldest settlements. A century ago it was notorious for pirates and their smuggling activities. I couldn’t help wondering if the people selling fake Rolexes were the offspring of the pirates of a century ago. I didn’t take any chances, I bought a nice watch made of gold and decorated with diamonds for $4.88 on the ship.
There may be some good aspects to piracy. Our tour guide claimed that property in Hong Kong is excessively expensive. I heard $20,000.00 a square foot. That brings new meaning to the expression “high rent district.” Even if the cost per square foot is half that amount, that is pretty expensive real estate. To summarize my visit to Hong Kong, I would say; “It’s a nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there.
This building used to house the British garrison, ironically it now houses the Chinese army and has a large red star on its frontage. (The Brits used to call it the “upside down gin bottle”, one can see why).
