Goodbye Hong Kong

Tuesday 31st March – Goodbye Hong Kong

Walked to a McCafe in Causeway Bay to avoid paying £10/hr for internet. Then caught ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui and followed walk in guidebook, through jade market and northwards via street markets to Mong Kok and the goldfish market. Hundreds of tiny exotic pet fish hung up in polythene bags inn the open fronted shops.

Caught the underground mass transit system back to the waterfront and tried Dim Sum somewhat unsuccessfully, as what had looked like prawn balls turned out to be sesame seed coated rice balls with plum jam in the middle, which although quite nice, weren't really a great accompaniment to stir fried noodles.

The Hong Kong Art Gallery was patchy, the modern art was derivative, the contemporary art was so clever that we couldn't understand it. The ancient pottery though, was a delight, as was the exhibit of ancient gold articles.

Returned on the ferry to Wanchai, then caught a coach to the airport. The airport is very modern and well designed, but a disaster inside. You can buy diamonds from Cartier, but not a newspaper. It has entirely missed its market. We even incurred a 10% service charge at the bar on already overpriced drinks. These people are going to be in real trouble as the recession bites.

Writing this at the airport, sadly the last entry for this blog, but we have enjoyed our travels and are happy to be going home, pleased that the trip has gone so smoothly..


Thoughts on Hong Kong

I am afraid Christine is right. This place has lost its way. It used to be frenetic and cut-throat. It is now softer, flabbier and a shadow of its former self. I can only assume it is the effect of the change to communist government, and that the people who inspired the old regime and made it flourish must have moved on to places with less regulation. Perhaps it is significant that the newly reclaimed land between Central and Wanchai is going to be a park rather than more buildings. The skyscrapers are still here but the former spirit of the place isn't.