The sidewalks of Hong Kong are usually crowded with people.
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Very different from the vast empty spaces of, say, Australia.
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We wander around the Central district.
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Today, a street stall provides lunch.
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Sometimes we eat in fancier places. This is a dim sum restaurant recommend to us by our niece Julia.
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We take the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak. As this is a ‘must-do’ for every visitor in town, there are enormous lines for entry.
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The view is worth the long wait.
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A sundowner on the Avenue of Stars. It’s Happy Hour.
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This evening we happen to be at the waterfront just as the Symphony of Lights is beginning.
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Maria signs up for a few yoga sessions in the nearby Peninsula Office Tower, linked to the famous Peninsula Hotel. The participants get a great view across the harbour.
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These junk-like boats are a common sight.
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Usually for tourist excursions. We use the iconic Star ferries to cross the harbour a few times as a change from taking the metro.
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Early one morning, we go to Macau for a day trip on a fast catamaran. It takes about an hour.
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There aren’t many Portuguese-speakers left, but the town still counts as part of the Mundo Lusófono.
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Calçada Portuguesa in Macau
Popular with Hong Kongers as a gambling Mecca. (There are no casinos in HK.)
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The ruins of St. Paul’s church. Started in 1602 by the Jesuits.
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Close up, the facade has an interesting blend of Western and Chinese elements.
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A quiet alley is good for a rest.
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We have lunch at the Restaurante Escada.
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In the Macau Museum, we find this fascinating exhibit about cricket fighting. Below is a cricket fighting ‘arena’, some cricket cages and porcelain food bowls, and four ‘cricket ticklers’ with rat-whisker bristles.
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‘Qui nos morituri te salutant…’
Sight or Insight of the Day – Hong Kong and Macau
Hong Kong has some hellishly steep places.
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Luckily, for lazy people there is the Central-Mid-levels escalator.
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You have to walk down, though.
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We can think of a few cities that could use something like this.