Kowloon, Hong Kong
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Staying at Caritas Blanchi Lodge, Yau Ma Tei district of Kowloon Peninsula (North of Hong Kong Island). Pretty steep at >$100 CAD/night, but very clean, and quiet. We’ll be here for 3 nights, before moving over to the Newton Hotel Kowloon (where we begin our tour).
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We landed in in Hong Kong and hopped right onto their high speed train into town (which goes direct from the arrivals level exit to downtown Kowloon, in ~30 minutes). Hong Kong has an amazingly effecient transportation infrastructure.
The shuttle bus dropped us off a few blocks from our hotel, which was in the heart of Kowloon, the discount shopping mecca of Hong Kong. The shock of everything being so foreign hit again. At least signs were in english, and people spoke english, but still it was going to be a whole new adventure. Our first impression was that this was like a massive version of San Francisco’s china-town. Very bright and loud, lots of neon signs, shops, food vendors, and plethora of smells.
We spent the first day getting familiar with the city, walking around, and trying to relax. The next day, we met up with Chuck, who’s the father of one of Joanne’s friends, Sherry. He and his wife introduced us to some deliciouis Philippino cuisine and entertainment. The next day, we did a little shopping, but by night fall Joanne was hit hard with what we assume was a case of food poisoning. After a night of vomiting and diareaha, Joanne stayed bed-ridden for another 2 days to try to regain energy for the upcoming guided tour of China. While Joanne rested (and avoided food) Grant enjoyed a delicious feast prepared by Chuck’s wife Evelyn, tured more of the Hong Kong Island with Chuck, walked around Victoria Peak, and enjoyed more of the Hong Kong nightlife.
While Grant got to experience the vibrance and fun of Hong Kong Island, Joanne’s memories of Hong Kong are more limited to chores of shopping for supplies, getting caught up on photo-uploads, and hanging out in the hotel room and bathroom.
p.s. Here’s the link to a detailed itinerary for our trip through China: http://www.imtravdossiers.com/aase.pdf [update: link is no longer valid ????]
