Category: Hong Kong

Dr Sun Yat Sen – he’s everywhere!

Well, just about everywhere there are significant Chinese population, it would seem (recall he is the founder of “modern China” who overthrew the last Chinese emperor).

There are monuments/memorials/roads/historical sites in honour of Dr Sun Yat Sen in Taipei (Taiwan), Maui (Hawaii, USA), Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Penang (Malaysia)!

Given the large Chinese community in Toronto, I just googled it and found this memorial statue in Riverside Park.

HK: Day 6/Thu Summary

Here is what I managed on day 6 (Thursday) in Hong Kong:

  • Went up The Peak for great views and an hour level walk around it
  • Had lunch w/ David at Hong Kong University in Pok Fu Lam (western Mid-levels), gaining some insights into the expat world
  • Checked out the statues at Exchange Square (including one by famous Canadian Henry Moore)
  • Perused the money museum at Two IFC up on a high floor with a view to the southwest
  • Finally rode a ferry to Kowloon and back to Wan Chai (as opposed to taking the MTR underneath the harbour)
  • Went to a couchsurfing meetup and barhopping in LKF (Lan Kwai Fong), the famous but small bar area.

SG: my bag finally arrived (48 hours later)

Yesterday morning I finally bought a few bits of clothing.
Called baggage and United Airlines several times over the 2 days, each time correcting some bit of info that was wrong (bag colour; my local mobile phone number had one wrong digit etc.).

Even when I called last night, they didn’t know where the bag was. Just as I was going to bed at 1:00, my phone rang and it was the local baggage office saying they had my bag and would be delivering it in the middle of the night (the UA117 flight from Hong Kong landed at 0:30, just like mine did).

I find it a little troubling that the system didn’t show last night that my bag was in fact on a plane at that very moment.

When I woke up this morning, indeed the concierge had my bag!
Just in time for me to head to the airport (carry-on only) in 5 hours (going to Penang for 2 days). Hopefully there’s some clean laundry in there or I’m in trouble…

Note: this would seem to indicate that the bag was not grabbed by accident by someone at Singapore airport.

Got my upgrade hkg-sin

Woohoo! But what’s up with taking away water bottles at the gate (without warning)?  Ridiculous since that was “handled” at the main security.

Fyi, contrary to what I’ve heard, the Thai lounge was only marginally nicer than the United lounge.

I don’t land until 0:30 sigh.
Weather outlook is hotter than HK: 27-32 C and 40% chance of thunderstorms most days this next week.

If it’s Sunday, this must be Macau…

But heading on to Singapore after a whirlwind 26 hours in Macau.

Baccarat and Sic Bo (3 dice) seem to be the game of choice. But nobody is drinking!
Not many poker rooms.
And now I have a whole new meaning for mall walking.

The World Heritage old town sights are interesting and the Macanese food is good.

At 4:00 I awoke briefly to pouring rain and hoped it would continue so I could relax instead of sightseeing. But alas it waspartly sunny today.

Right now I’m sitting as the lone passenger in the upper deck “super” class (only about two dozen folks in steerage – ha! How do you like that Titanic reference?) on my way direct to HKG airport (no HK customs involved)  and am now back into HK cell coverage – I missed it in Macau!

HK: baibai! On ferry to Macau

Ferry terminal was much like the airport, without the annoying security measures. Checked my bag. Went through exit immigration; Macau immigration is on arrival.

Turbo jet is fast and smooth, gliding through the harbour like… oh, never mind.

Just got served an airline style meal. Wasn’t expecting that – just had a snack in the mall before entering the restricted zone.

Still very gray weather which doesn’t make for good photos en route.