Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2015 | Page 25
TRAVEL
f Hong Kong
our tour guide as a ‘new world village’
consisting of a population in excess
of 20,000 people and no one over the
age of 25 years allowed to reside there.
There were numerous factories, military
training grounds and other scientific
and technical facilities where young
people were encouraged to develop
their skills.
Through the coach windows we
witnessed varied scenery and children
marching in school playgrounds
with some brandishing flags. It left
me with an impression of not just a
demonstration of strength but one of
discipline and pride.
The primary school was excellently
presented with the children dressed
immaculately. We were treated to a
performance of music and dance
followed by interaction with the
children in small groups. English was
being taught and the children were very
keen to learn all about our country.
Following a most enjoyable traditional
Chinese lunch, which did not bear any
resemblance to western Chinese food, we
visited a local market and temple before
returning to Hong Kong Island. The
market was not for the faint hearted and
several of the ladies in our party decided
to pass it by. Live or dissected chickens
and other poultry, frogs and reptiles were
all available for sale. There is a saying in
China; ‘we will eat anything with legs,
except a chair’ and this was certainly
demonstrated in the market.
We witnessed much begging in the
streets and were advised not to respond.
The temple was brightly decorated and
ironically showered with gifts of food,
which appeared to remain in the temple.
We were presented with designated seat
tickets for our return to Hong Kong by
'bullet train' holding hundreds of people.
A stewardess was attached to each section
of the train to escort you to your seat as
standing was not permitted.
There were three different aisle trolley
deliveries during our journey. We were
all feeling somewhat hungry as we
approached early evening and were
looking forward to the delivery of some
food. However, two of the trolleys were
selling historical stamps, albums and
old coins, which were presumed to be of
interest to tourists and collectors alike.
When the food trolley arrived it was only
selling undercooked chicken legs, so we
decided to remain hungry!
Our brief visit to China gave us an
insight into Chinese life and customs,
travelling several hundred miles in just
over 24 hours. Despite the revelations,
I like and admire the Chinese and we
promised ourselves another visit.
The following days on Hong Kong
Island included a visit to Happy Valley
night horse racing, a trip to Stanley
Market on the south of the Island and
the lovely beach resort at Aberdeen.
At this resort a coach-load of children
from China suddenly descended on
us as we relaxed on a pier seat, to
speak with us and take photos of us.
On reflection, we did appear to be the
only English people around, and they
were probably encouraged to do so by
their teacher.
No trip to Hong Kong would be
complete without taking the cable car
to the Upper Levels and witnessing the
most magnificent view over Hong Kong
Harbour.
On our final day we decided to take an
open ‘pink’ tram through Hong Kong to
the new territories where it terminated.
A trip not to be missed and an open top
or front seat provides an excellent view
of the hustle and bustle of the people in
the city below.
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