It was very hot and humid and it rained quite a lot. If you didn't get wet because of the rain you would get dripped on by the many airconditionings working overtime overhead.
A ferry ride or 2 is not too be missed so we did and there for we didn't miss out on the magnificent views it gives you of the city by day and night. One day we took the ferry to Macau for a daytrip.
We walked everywhere in Macau as it isn't that big, everything is local. We had walked all morning and were looking for a place to eat and cool down. When we finally found a place and were seated by the waitress and given our menus the waitress came back to say in broken English the chef had walked out?! No lunch.... That was okay at least we had a chance to cool down and enjoy a coke. We went off and close by there was an ice cream shop with the weirdest ice creams. Ginger, yellow beans and other flavours I can't think of right now. One caught my attention the Durian ice cream. It is a fruit I only knew from TV as being foul smelling and therefor banned from public transport and hotels. I just had to try it. I asked if I could have a sample. The flavour was nothing like I have ever eaten before and hopefully never will again. Caroline was not impressed when I convinced her to try it as well. It took a decent meal for the taste to finally disappear.
For those of you collecting stamps in their passports going to Macau on a day trip is a very good way to get some. Once you have returned to HK you will have a full page in your passport of entrance and exit stamps just of HK and Macau.
Another thing we liked doing in Hong Kong was going to the different markets (bird-, flower-, goldfish-, jade- and night market). A visit to a wet market is also a must as it is quite different from the markets we are used to in the West. I must say it is not for the squeamish.
The last 2 days we stayed with friends of Caroline's who live in a nice area of HK. Away from the city and away from all the traffic and people. Their apartment has floor to ceiling windows with a great view of the South China Sea and several islands. At nighttime you could see all the little fishing boats with their bright lights fishing for squid and during the day we saw several dragonboats practising for the race below.
Getting around was very easy and the ferries and taxi's are very cheap. All in all we had a great time exploring downtown HK and Macau. HK was nothing like I expected it to be. We would definitely like to go back. And when we do, we'll be taking empty suitcases, there are plenty of bargains to be had.
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