More Hong Kong

After we'd had a look around Hong Kong Island, the intrepid threesome of Suzanne, Bill and E hopped in a cab to travel to the Bird Park.

"Bird Park" I was thinking, would be a wildlife area where one could observe birds. And it was. But the birds are BROUGHT there by their owners...as sort of a playdate area for both.

We walked along, and saw older men--only men- sitting around, having tea, chatting, playing chess,

with their pet birds sitting on their shoulders, in bamboo cages nearby hanging from tree limbs,

or hopping around teacups.

We saw a man walk past, one bird in the crook of his arm, another hopping alongside, just as if it were wearing a leash. We were laughing so hard, none of us could get our cameras out.

There were birds for sale in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Even birds sleeping...

Then it was off for a walk through the flower market.


I saw a stash of my favorite stargazer lilies--at the incredible price of US$2.19

Blocks and blocks and blocks of fragrant, colorful blooms --some were new to me.


Almost sensory overload.



Suzanne suggested we check out the fish market. Now, at midday, I'm thinking slabs of unbought tuna and sea bass smelling to high heavens. But, no-- she meant the "pet fish" market.

She said she had heard the displays were interesting.

And they were.

Fish in aquariums,

fish in buckets, and, yes--fish in plastic bags, stapled to walls and doors.





By this point, we were all a bit tired, an went back to the hotel for a rest before supper. On the way back, we passed by Hong Kong's Chinatown (yes, there is a specific place in Hong Kong called Chinatown)

with the ever-present Peking Duck


and block upon block of rather decrepit-looking apartment buildings.

We were assured that, while externally these building look shabby,

internally, they are some of the most desirable locations in town. High rent or low rent, everyone hangs the wash outside, no matter how high up.

Tiny gas stations compete for space


After a wonderful buffet supper in hotel, I watched the lights of Hong Kong come up.



A totally different city seemed to emerge.







Comfortably tucked in under a down comforter,



I left the curtains open so I could see Hong Kong come alive as I drifted off toward sleep.




I was absolutely untroubled by jet lag and was up just after 6am- my normal time- to get ready for another exciting day in ASIA


where even the most ordinary things are interesting...

The Moral of a Story.....

From my friend, Flamingo.....

The teacher gave her fifth grade class an assignment: Get their parents to tell them a story with a moral at the end of it. The next day, the kids came back and, one by one, began to tell their stories. There were all the regular types of stuff: spilled milk and pennies saved. But then the teacher realized, much to her dismay, that only Ernie was left.

"Ernie, do you have a story to share?"

''Yes ma'am. My daddy told me a story about my Aunt Karen. She was a pilot in Desert Storm, and her plane got hit. She had to bail out over enemy territory, and all she had was a flask of whiskey, a pistol, and a survival knife.

She drank the whiskey on the way down so the bottle wouldn't break, and then her parachute landed her right in the middle of 20 Iraqi troops. She shot 15 of them with the pistol, until she ran out of bullets, killed four more with the knife, until the blade broke, and then she killed the last Iraqi with her bare hands."

''Good Heavens,' said the horrified teacher."What did your daddy tell you was the moral to this horrible story?"

"Stay the hell away from Aunt Karen when she's been drinking."

Hong Kong Day 1

After a little pick-me-up of green tea (my first cup of MANYMANYMANY) and shower, my cousins Bill & Suzanne and I headed out into the bright Hong Kong morning. Our plan was to stroll down through the area around the Star Ferry terminal, hop on the ferry, sail over the harbor, and trek to the Mandarin Oriental on Hong Kong Island for a drink.

Linking up in the lobby, we went out to the plaza

Where my cousin, who is one of the funniest guys on the planet,

promptly observed tallest tower looked like it had been pterodactyl-proofed

The plaza was lovely-

And we could watch the Star Cruises ships come and go.

As gambling is illegal in China, the ship acts, much as our "boats" do in the US, as floating casinos. They travel out in the evening, hit international waters, sail around all night, and return in the morning.

Also spotted my first Starbucks sign--

which became something of a vacation joke--I needed all the photos I could find of Starbucks for Captains Voyage.


The ferry was a cinch to figure out. We bought our tokens at the automated stand and hopped aboard just in time.

The ferry used to take 20 minutes, but with land reclamation and faster boats, the trip now only takes 8 minutes. We got a good view of the skyline of Hong Kong Island

the building to the left was dubbed "the duct-tape tower" and signs of bail out money abounded

We met a ferry going the opposite direction

and debarked the ferry to be met with a Subway sign

(I thought the kids would get a kick out of seeing their favorite subs going for $19 until they figured out that was Hong Kong Dollars, not US Dollars...so about US$2.97..

and YES,a Starbucks.

A short walk down the elevated pedestrian walkway--one of the most amazing urban "bits" of Hong Kong- and we were at the Mandarin Oriental

With it's gorgeous interior arrangements

Across the lobby was the Captain's Bar where we toasted Aunty Mame

and I learned one of the reasons the Mandarin was special to "Madam" .

My cousin Merrill--or Bob as he is known to some--so he has now been dubbed "MerrillBob" in something of a family joke- was a Marine in the Vietnam War. When he learned that he would be given some R&R time in Hong Kong...what do you think my "Auntie Mame" and Uncle Robert did? They flew to Hong Kong to meet my cousin. Oh, yes, they did have to wait a few days, camped out in the Mandarin Oriental until he finally got his R&R, and you can imagine the shock and horror on the faces of the hotel staff when a smell, dirty Army soldier in filthy fatigues came lumbering up the pristine marble steps with a duffle bag. Yes, truly...my great aunt and uncle FLEW OVER to Hong Kong to "visit" during a WAR....and you wonder where I get it from???? Adventure is just a family trait......

Then it was back across the harbor for a look at the entrance to the Intercontinental with its Rolls

and BEAUTIFUL second story pool and entrance

before we headed north toward the bird park and the flower market. More on that NEXT.