Hong Kong

Tuesday 3rd March
At last in Hong Kong - by the time we get to the hotel (Harbour Plaza North Point) we freshen up and head outside for some Hong Kong air. We find a little park for the kids to run-around and then work up an appetite and try our luck at a little roadside cafe - we discover James has a penchant for chickens' elbows! and can do a pretty good job with some chopsticks.

Wednesday 4th March -
everyone is awake a 3am - we manage to get back to sleep. The weather looks very drizzly and there is a misty haze - We are told the mist is quite usual.
James keeps asking us if we can go on our holiday - we keep telling him this is our holiday but he's not convinced - so we decide to visit something touristy - Ocean Park.
Ocean Park sounds a bit naff but it's actually very good and well set out. High lights include a spectacular cable car ride, the Aquarium, which is amazing and seeing the Pandas. The kids also loved the dolphins and sea lion show. We cover pretty much the entire park. James & Hattie are getting quite a bit of attention from the Chinese - they are constantly being picked up and photographed - they seem to like their fair hair & skin.
After Ocean Park we quickly looked around Stanley Market - Andrew bought a helicopter! It's knocking on for 8pm - so we have dinner and go back to hotel. We all get to sleep very well but we all seem to be awake 3am again!

Thursday 5th March
Up fairly early so head for MTR (Underground) and travel to Central where we pick up Star Ferry to Kowloon. After a bit of sightseeing we decide to have lunch in a local's cafe - quite an experience! - more chickens’ elbows and other unidentifiable animal parts - the kids eat with chopsticks much to the amusement of the locals. We then head for the walled Garden - there's a kids play area - after about half an hour the heaven's open - thunder & lightening and we end up being stranded under a pagoda. 40 minutes later we head for MTR to bird/flower markets - but didn't make it as heaven's open again.
After a short nap back at the Hotel, we decide to hit the lively end of town for the night and head for Soho. We find a nice Tapas bar at the top of the famous escalators - and ate a very good meal. Kids were presented with giant prawns & chips with garlic mayo - and loved it - just hope they don't expect it when they're home - it'll be back to Findus fish fingers & mash!
The only slight disaster was that Hattie fell & rolled down some steps on the way back down from the Soho Hills - but nothing a bit of chocolate couldn't put right! Andrew decided to photograph the offending steps?
PS It wasn't as embarrassing for us as parents as letting James fall down the gap of MTR today!

Friday 6th March
Last day in Hong Kong and still lots of things to do. We have arranged to meet up with Fiona (close friend of Andrew's sister) at the exclusive Hong Kong Cricket Club at 4pm. So this is our only opportunity to get up & see the Peak. We take the MTR to Central and walk to the tram depot. We board the rope driven Tram, which takes you up a very steep incline to the top of the peak. The views are truly fabulous; Hong Kong has such an amazing skyline. At the top of the Peak there is a shopping complex, restaurants and a viewing tower. We go straight to the top for a walk around - and have snacks at a funky bar overlooking Hong Kong before setting off back on the tram to the bottom of the peak. The tram is very smooth.
We get to Hong Kong Cricket club and Fiona and daughter Georgia are at reception to greet us. The Hong Kong Cricket Club is a great facility and has quite a colonial feel about it - mainly due to the number of well heeled ex pats (and much needed for Fiona's sanity she tells us). It was great to catch up with Fiona and talk about her observations/life in Hong Kong and about her future plans. She very kindly treated to drinks and food - so thanks ever so much Fiona - really nice to see you and meet Georgia - and sorry we missed out on seeing baby Daniel who had an ear infection (hope he's much better).
WE leave HKCC after supper and decide on our last night to take the ferry to Kowloon to watch the famous light show. We are told that the best views are from the promenade at the Avenue of the Stars. The show is quite amazing the lasers glide around the harbour and various landmark buildings illuminate to music - quite a spectacle and glad we made the effort.
We meander back to MTR via the hustle bustle of the Kowloon shops and nightlife and treat ourselves to some dim sum from outdoor stand - a great end to our HK experience.