Here's to the weekend!

We've been using our weekends to explore our new home (as you do) and we thought we'd share some visual insights into what we've seen. Hope you enjoy!

By the way this is the view from our current apartment window (we thought "Holy Mary pray for us" was a little ironic.....) This is a school yard, with heavy construction going on around it! They also go to school on Saturdays!!

Inside the Ma Mo Temple in the Mid Levels, they burn these incense coils which take about a month to burn completely - we both came out smelling like we'd been smoking for years...... But apparently a great way to communicate with the dead, so one to keep in mind.... ;-)

The temple is at the bottom of the second photo, nestled gently between skyscrapers... The other endearing thing we've noticed, is Hong Kongians are incredibly gifted for finding just the right place and space to put things (space we take for granted, something that is truly a luxury here!) I couldn't resist the TV antennas, not sure how many apartments or lives are served by these, but I think there are possibly a couple more spaces for any newbies joining these buildings!!

Next stop the Peak Tram - for anyone who's been to HK, you'll know Victoria Peak is the highest point on the island, and its a great spot to see HK, and get caught in a few tourist traps (especially if you've come on a tour as we found out...) The tram is a really spectacular was to experience it!

Aberdeen is on the water. We did a cruise on the harbour to see the fishermen - they are/were a crucial part of HK society, however, they've been in slow decline for some time now, as the next generation leaves to make more money in the offices (it certainly isn't part of wealthy HK), but I thought it was beautiful, and it seems a shame if it does go

Hong Kong is exceptionally good at moving zillions of people around each day through its public transport systems. But the quaintest form has to the trams! These things look like little toasters on a single axle, but they're bloody cheap (HK$2 = AU$0.33) and will take you all over HK island. There's a flexibility to road rules, and moving amongst this many people - its refreshing because its a lot of give and take without any agro, but its also frustrating because nothing moves the way you hoped (especially if you're in a rush, or just want to be home)

Two final places, the first is sort after, stupidly expensive in every possible way, and something like the Gold Coast on steroids - its known as Repulse Bay and is on the 'other' side of the island, has beaches (not in the aussie sense) and is somewhat more green. But check the size of these buildings!!!!

The second is a much slummier side of HK - its Kowloon, the place where westerners go to bargain for tailored suits and all things Chinese, but its also where locals live without most trappings. We battled crowds we haven't seen on the island, we survived the salesmen "copy watch?" "handbag?" every couple of metres, but we hadn't expected to see such a difference in the wealth of most people. Apartments were tiny even from the outside, they were grotty and depressing - we understood now why the agent hadn't bothered with this side, but it was a good reminder of just how much we have.


The final picture is HK traffic on a Sunday - many people work 6 day weeks, so Sunday is the day off to go and enjoy yourself! Being on foot most of the time has its advantages!!