Thursday, October 19, 2006

WHIRLWIND IN HONG KONG - day 2








WHIRLWIND IN HONG KONG – day 2

It does pay to have someone who knows the area take you in hand. Our friend Masako who lives in HK came over at 8:00am and away we went. Today we rode in multiple taxis, a tram (up to 1300 ft), double decker bus, a trolley, a ferry, a train, a jet plane and a mini-van. And went to Victoria Peak, old Hong Kong (Kowloon), tea at the Peninsula Hotel and lunch at the Marriott and more in between. We saturated on sights and sounds. $3 US will get you almost anywhere in a taxi, 30 cents US gets you the top deck on the ferry, 15 cents US gets you the bottom deck. We saw a junk cruising the bay, but they are a curiosity now owned by rich men.

From Victoria Peak, you get the vista of all the high rises, the population per acre must be phenomenal. We walked through a high end mall like nothing we have in CA, we had a buffet lunch at the Marriott that ranks above the best in Tahoe, we had a white linen napkin, silver and fine china tea at the Peninsula Hotel, we walked some in Kowloon, packed with shops and teeming. Notice the angle in the interior tram picture, and also the one picture is the goods displayed in a pharmacy window.

Last night we caught a plane to Xian, in mainland China. We were met by our tour guide that we had arranged in SF, and thank the lord for that, we are now in old China and even though they have jet age runways and some toll freeways, I am not sure we could have found our way at night to a hotel in downtown. The sights and sounds are totally different in Xian, cars, trucks, bicycles, motor scooters, tiny shops lining wide boulevards (some open late at night), taxi repairs taking place on the curbs, people playing cards? under the street lights, incredibly hazy. But wonder of wonders, the hotel has a DSL cable. Can’t wait for daylight.

We met up with Rod’s parents at the Xian airport, they had been traveling for 30 hours. Also was a horde of screaming fans for someone named Koko who was on our plane, must have been a rocker celebrity or something, gotta look that one up

11 comments:

Stacey T. said...

Wonderful! Right now Rod and M3 are on on the plane for about an hour (Hopefully if it took off on time)!!!!! Babies in your arms, soon!

Anonymous said...

Have you found time to sleep? Yes, Xian is much different than the big cities and when you visit the warriors you will really be in the country. Enjoy!
Janet

Anonymous said...

What kind of small thing was in your bed? It sounds like the two of you are going non stop everyday. Sounds like fun Marlayna

Anonymous said...

Great to have Masako as your tour guide. What a fabulous adventure, and the best is yet to come. We are just waiting for you get your hands on the girls. Just a few more days and their world is going change. Mary J.

Anonymous said...

Hi Bob & Grammie--Are there any back roads in your travels?We have 6 signed up for Pendelton-Jones-Richard-Christensen`s-Rinaldi`s-Phillipa -Rose-Landcaster?? Do you want me to get your room??-Looking at the pictures you look very refreshed--How much are your rooms?bill rose

Anonymous said...

What are you doing at Toys R Us? Sounds like day 2 was a very busy day. It won't be long now before the rest of Team Salsa arrives.Soon Rose and Marie will meet their Mommy and Daddy and of course their grandparents. Everyone must be on pins and needles.Can't wait to see pictures.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you are having a great time! How brave you are to travel to China alone! I was happy to see some things written in English for you! How nice it must have been to see your friend again, too :). Great blog postings...I will look forward to seeing each and every one. Sharon P.

M3 said...

Awesome post - love the pictures too. Sounds like you guys are having an incredible time. We'll see you tonight (in China!!!)

Anonymous said...

So Where Is The Blog for Friday US time??br

Anonymous said...

Hi Bob & Pat,
We had a great Model T meeting & auction last night. We all missed you, but we still made $783 on the auction! Bob E received a phone call in the middle of the meeting and everyone thought it was you!
Hope you are having a great time and we are waiting for the info on the backfire - we will take care of it for you.
Mary B & Bob

Anonymous said...

So where is Saturday`s Blog??I hope you guys are allright--br