Hong Kong

Getting up at 4:30 in the morning to get to the airport on time to fly to Hong Kong was not the best of experiences. We made it in plenty of time and off we flew to Shenzhen, a Chinese city near the border. After landing we purchased tickets for a bus ride across the border.
First stop was at the Chinese border where our passports were checked after which we got back on the bus and traveled to the New Territories checkpoint where once again our travel documents were checked. Back on the bus again we traveled to a train station where we got on a taxi which took us to our destination. We stayed at a compound in a small village about 30 minutes from Hong Kong. Most of the houses could only be reached by walking as the pathways were, at best, 4 feet wide. The nearest city was about a mile away. It was very quiet, quaint and peaceful. After living in a city of 11 million for the past couple of months we really appreciated the quiet.
The four of us who were traveling together staying in a second floor apartment which was sparsely furnished, but, adequate and besides who complains at $10 a night? The bathroom left a bit to be desired. Smaller than most half-baths you’re familiar it was also the shower room. As you showered the sink, the commode and most anything else in the room got wet which made getting dried off and cleaning up the room afterward quite a challenge. Interestingly enough, the shower water drained through the floor, through the exterior wall and down on the sidewalk below. In addition to the joy of the small bathroom the only beds were narrow bunk beds which had mattresses that had been made in the Stone Age and over the years had become fossilized. We also are still bearing the scars of the several insects that looked upon us as an unusual food opportunity, (I felt like part of the menu in a foreign restaurant for bugs).
The first afternoon we did not have time to visit Hong Kong so we went to a small satellite town nearby of about 250,000 people. One of the first things we noticed was that the drivers in this town had great respect for pedestrians. This was refreshing as there is no such concept in Chengdu. In Chengdu you cross a street with great caution, looking in all directions and constantly expecting the unexpected, consequently a city where walkers were safe was great. However there was still a big problem in crossing the streets. The cars, buses, trucks, and bicyclist all travel on the left hand side of the road, (Think British influence here). We’d get ready to cross, look to the left to see if any vehicles were coming and, whoosh, sure enough they were coming , but, from the right, how uncivilized … After a few close calls we got used to it.
Traveling to Hong Kong from the compound was another experience. We went back to the train station, bought an “Octopus” pass , kind of a pre-paid credit card which would allow us to ride trains, buses, and ferries while in Hong Kong, and off we went. A 25 minute train ride and we were in Hong Kong. The train/subway terminals were modern, clean, large and not unlike many airports. You could shop, eat and travel without ever leaving the train system.
We met a friend at a coffee shop and went out for hamburgs at a Canadian place called “Triple-O’s”, I think. Those of you who know me are aware that this is as far as I needed to go. Life was good, I was content, (they even had Heinz Ketchup), and I needed no more. Later we even found a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop! Of course, being in Hong Kong, it was not to be that I would spend my day rotating between lattes, burgers, and doughnuts, as there were significant areas of shopping that needed to be conquered by the 3 ladies that were with me.
Those of you who have been to this area of the world will understand the terminology, “Squatty Pottie”. A device not designed for those of use with weak knees and weary muscles. We found in many bathrooms there was one stall labeled, “For The Weak”, which contained equipment that was more to our liking. It’s amazing how quickly you can lose your strength in certain situations.
Kathy and I went for many walks around the small village we were staying in. One night we decided to explore a road that led out of the village. We walked about 100 yards and were feeling a bit insecure and alone. It was one of those dark, quiet spots that just didn’t seem right. We turned around and walked towards the village. About halfway back we noticed a large group of people turning into the same road coming toward us. Now we were really wondering. That is until we approached closer and saw one man holding a flag in the air, leading what turned out to be about 150 people into the ‘unsafe’ place we had just left. Turned out there was some kind of tourist spot down the road and this was a group of local tourists making a visit. I’m sure they wondered about the two foreigners.
The return trip was uneventful. The border crossing back into China was easier than almost any border crossing we’ve made. The return to our temporary home was great.