Hong Kong

Our trip began with a 141/2 flight from Houston to Tokyo, a five hour layover and a five-hour flight to Hong Kong. A Viking agent met us at the airport and escorted us to our cruise ship Viking Orion.  It was almost midnight by the time we got to our stateroom,  over 25 hours from when we left Houston.

Hong Kong, China

First thing Sunday morning, April 16, we boarded a bus for our first excursion, Postcards of Hong Kong.  From there we were driven to the waterfront where we boarded a traditional sampan for a cruise through the harbor’s floating village where hundreds of people live on fishing junks—a stark contrast to the high-rise community that have risen on the island.

From there we were driven to Stanley Market, a typical example of a traditional old open-air market in Hong Kong that has  become a major tourist attraction, well known for its bargains. Many of the stalls or shops in Stanley Market sell Hong Kong souvenirs as well as clothing and traditional Chinese toys, ornaments, arts and crafts.

Our next stop was Victoria Peak, the 1800’ summit which offered sweeping views of Victoria Harbor and Kowloon Peninsula.

From the peak we rode a funicular to the bottom of the mountain and boarded our waiting bus.

After lunch we took a walking tour of Hong Kong where we toured the Man Mo Temple, Hong Kong’s oldest and most famous temple.  The temple is a tribute to the God of Literature and God of War, both of whom were worshipped by ambitious students looking to succeed in the civil examinations in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

We walked from there to experience the Hong Kong Elevator, a moving sidewalk that is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world.  It’s a series of eleven elevators that take residents (and tourists) from the flat area by the ocean up the hillside to the highrise apartment buildings where people live.

These escalators only go one direction at a time and that direction changes depending on the time of day.  Until 10:00 am the residents ride the escalators DOWN to the market and offices.  After 10:00am tourists and residents can ride them up.  

We walked along Hollywood Road where we saw the baryon tree roots climbing down the walls along the sidewalk.

We boarded a ferry for our ride back to the cruise terminal.

Back aboard our ship we were treated to a beautiful view of  Hong Kong Harbor in the evening.