We strolled through a narrow park of tropical foliage and fountains down to the 'Walk with the Stars' waterfront to sit and watch a dazzling light and sound display of the buildings on Hong Kong island and the Kowloon side with lazer light dancing on the clouds. 
We spotted a waterfront restaurant in the Intercontinental Hotel and walked up throught its exotic entrance drive to find ourselves in James Bondland. A huge comfortable bar with a jazz band overlooked the harbour and below it a lively restaurant buffet which had great views and food too.
The following morning was sunny with light cloud so we headed straight for the Star Ferrry over to HK island. We then entered Science Fiction World, travelating uphill through modern covered tubes to a series of escalators taking us further up. At this point we decided we needed to update our reading to see what was in store for the 22nd Century. 21st century returned all too forcibly at the top when we found we needed to descend again on foot via a web of spaghetti junction roads to the Peak Tram terminal. If confusing (signs, what signs?) at least it meant a chance to9 go via the HK Botanic Garden and Zoo, say 'hi' to the panther, before joining the vast queue for the funicular tram. At this point we realised that using parasols were a real boon. Hats and sunglasses mean no breeze circulating can be appreciated so when in 'Rome'.... and up went the umbrella, but it was a long wait. We finally packed into the tram and rose to about 400m above sea level. The multi-tiered building on top took us to greater heights and fantastic views of both sides of HK island but I badly wanted to sit with a fruit juice to enjoy it fully. So view first,
and refreshments after, finding I was totally whacked. Eventually the juice took effect - enough to let us stagger over to lunch with a view lower down the complex but still too tired to sketch. We shared a taxi down hill rather than queue again and then wandered along Hollywood Road, bizarrely the antique centre. My high spot of the day was jasmine tea and Chinese buns in Lok Yu Tea Rooms on Stanley Street, - authentic, serene, and very traditional with polished mahogany booths, mirrors, white linen and warm flannels and kindly waiters. I realised to my surprise that this was giving me greater pleasure than the glitz of the Peninsular Hotel (though I wouldn't have missed that). We sat quietly and enjoyed the peace for a while
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(walking at the base of some of these was a bit overwhelming though)
On then to an impressive (cheap, tvs, comfortable seats, head-room) bus ride to Aberdeen on the far side of HK island. It's a strange mixture of skyscrapers and old Chinese boats and super yachts but good to stroll along the waterfront there. I sketched, relieved to find my energy returning, and we were deafened by birdsong
Why is it that vegetables abroad look so much more exciting?
Why is it that vegetables abroad look so much more exciting?
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