Hong Kong- suits, swine flu and a soft landing

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Trip Start May 03, 2009 Trip End Aug 31, 2009 Next
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  Hong Kong, China
Thursday, May 7, 2009

After surviving 7 hours at YVR (ok kids, go ahead and collect [steal?] all of those coins from the wishing pond!) and the 13 hour flight (good advice--just say YES to more candy, TV and Nintendo DS), we experienced a literal and figurative soft landing in the beautiful city of Hong Kong.
Besides its natural beauty, the first thing that we noticed about Hong Kong is that it is taking this swine flu stuff very seriously. The surgical gloves and masks on the flight crew should have been our first clue. A special medical form had to be completed for customs and we all travelled through a temperature detector. More on why this is so serious later.
Our first stop was of course the hotel which has turned out to be in a perfect location. We are in the Kowloon district complete with neon signs and endless shops. As our room was not ready until noon, we had several hours to wander the city and get our Asia legs

the market

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Steve's importance and style was duly noted as he seemed to attract a street vendor offering tailored suits at every ten paces! They got him on the way back too--despite the boys' observation that they must KNOW who he is by now! Reid had his first experience with Asia's public bathrooms--thought it must have been under repair given the "missing" toilet and t.p.
After lunch at Subway (we are warming Bryce up slowly) it was off to the Star Ferry and a trip across the water to the Peak. This venture took us through the Central Business District and more, well, "suits"! Must say that with the architecture, cultural make-up and the smell of the sea, we could have been in Vancouver. We both felt envious of the experience that Steve's cousin Tony must have had living and working in Hong Kong. This was plenty of activity for the first day and we were all fast asleep by 7 pm.
Day 2 was even better. First, we discovered the locals' market complete with the freshly butchered pigs and chickens and even the turtles about to go to their maker. We then enjoyed some of these offerings at a cantonese restaurant and the boys were able to say :ho ho sik (yummy) to our host. The Museum of History helped us understand the evolution of this great city--the boys liked the war parts the best. I was very touched by the presentaton on reunification, even though Hong Kong is to remain largely unchanged until at least 2047

Lantau Island cable car

. The day ended with a swim at the Kowloon Park pool (empty and resort-like) and a  visit to the local soccer pitch. At the latter, we again experienced the kindness of the Hong Kong people who, despite being involved in a game themselves, took the time to kick the soccer ball about with the boys.
A special treat awaited us that evening. Friends of friends (thanks R & G), Susan and Steve Kleinschmidt and their 2 daughters, now live in Hong Kong. They generously took us all to a waterfront club for dinner and to watch the light and lazer show from the business towers of Hong Kong Island. The show was started during SARS to cheer up an economically and psychologically depressed citizenry. They don't want to see that scenario again, hence the seeming paranoia about the flu--Steve told us that his office had been specially sealed in the event of a flu outbreak and the subway has constant announcements about flu prevention. All healthy here--phew!
Day 3 was a visit to the Big Buddha, a look at the shopping mall ice rink (only figure skating so thumbs down from the Irwin boys) and the ever popular journal and homework time!Some other observations: Hong Kong people are very social and kind to strangers; things are booming--mainland China censors the news of global recession leaving their now wealthy citizens shop up a storm in HK--willing to wait 3 hours to get into Lous Vuitton (maybe turning off CNN could turn things around in North America?); compared to other large world cities, it is very clean (boys may not agree but wait until they go south!!); as part of China, feels like the centre of action for the next century. Put the kids in mandarin immersion, my friends!
The boys have been great with the possible exception of being unable to control the urge to wrestle in inappropriate venues (elevators, subways, hotel lobbys,-- ok,everywhere!). Perhaps the gentleness observed in others will sink in during our travels--or maybe not. Next stop, Hanoi!

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Big Buddha

Turtles Rule!

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