Hong Kong
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The New Year was seen in with a firework display across the Victoria Harbour. I am not sure that this was the best of ideas as my view was obstructed by raised hands and mobile phones along with a flyover. There was a time when people would view things directly rather than via a screen!
New Years Day. I had arrived at my hotel the previous day. It had been difficult to find as it was approached via a market with a very dirty entrance. The bedding had a white stain. When notified, the member of staff initially tried to scrape it off with his thumbnail, but then replaced it with a clean sheet. It reminded me a bit of my first year university accommodation. However, the location was in the centre of Twin sha Tsui and close to Victoria Harbour. I was glad to get out and head for the Sky 100 observation deck on the International Commerce Centre. This is at 393m but is not actually the 100th floor as levels with "4" in the last digit were skipped because it sounds like "death" in Cantonese and Mandarin (tetraphobia).
The drink is a called "Above the Cloud" (86 HK$ or £9) and consists of ginger, lemon juice, 7-up, blue curaçao syrup and cotton candy. This must be the most expensive soft drink I have ever had, but you only live once!
The drink is a called "Above the Cloud" (86 HK$ or £9) and consists of ginger, lemon juice, 7-up, blue curaçao syrup and cotton candy. This must be the most expensive soft drink I have ever had, but you only live once!
Then it was off on the metro to the Peak Tram on Hong Kong Island, taking a lot of photographs on the way. This is a funicular railway going to Victoria Peak. The views were a bit foggy, but maybe that adds a little to the photographs. The crowds at the start were a bit off-putting but it is a place that I would go back to, preferably on a clear afternoon for some clear photographs and then wait for nightfall to take some more.
The queues were a lot shorter for going down and I then headed over to the Hong Kong observatory wheel. When on the one in Astana, it was windy and scary. This was still and I felt totally safe.
The queues were a lot shorter for going down and I then headed over to the Hong Kong observatory wheel. When on the one in Astana, it was windy and scary. This was still and I felt totally safe.
The next day, I went Superclass on the TurboJet ferry to Macau (365 HK$ or just under £40) to put my baggage in storage at my next hotel before taking the bus to the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car on Lantau Island. I went "Crystal Glass Class" which is where the cabin has a transparent floor.
It takes you up to the Ngong Ping village, the Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery. The Big Buddha is divided into two parts, the statue’s body is 26.4m tall and 34m in total measuring from the lotus throne and the base. It was cast with 250 tonnes of bronze and built over 12 years. It is relatively modern, being completed in 1993.