HONG KONG, CHINA March 9, 2008Hong Kong primarily consists of Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. Hong Kong is bordered the north by Guangdong Province and on the east, west and south by the South China Sea.
The Kowloon Peninsula is attached to the New Territories to the north, and the New Territories spans northwards eventually connection with main land China across the Sham Chun River (Shenzhen River).
Hong Kong was a British dependency from 1840’s to July 1, 1997, when it passed to Chinese sovereignty as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). The British control of Hong Kong began in 1842, when China was forded to cede Hong Kong Island to Britain after the First Opium War. In 1984 Britain and China signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which stipulated that Hong Kong return to Chinese rule in 1997 as a SAR of China. There was considerable concern for the community pending the Communist Chinese take over, but by all accounts on its tenth anniversary it has be a very successful transition. Capitalism continues to thrive.
We entered the Victoria Harbor on the Queen Victoria with a considerable haze and overcast as you can barely see the red sun in the morning for in the first picture. As we proceeded into the harbor we came across a large suspension bridge. We took this picture, as you will never see the future bridge at this state again.
As we docked we were greeted by the elaborate dragon dance with 15 to 20 dancers.
We boarded our tour and were taken to the vernicular to be transported to the top of Victoria Peak. You can see the tram clearly in the picture but the continuing haze made the photo view from the peak less than optimum.
Our next stop was the sampan tour of the harbor. In the middle of the harbor is a famous restaurant called Jumbo. We enjoyed seeing the luxurious yachts moored alongside the rather shabby watercraft in the “very” working harbor.
We next stopped at the Stanley Market long famous for special prices on some desirable and a lot of not so desirable items. Recently the Chinese government has cracked down on much of the counterfeit/fakes/knock offs. With you eyes open you can still buy special watches and purses not found else ware.
Later in the evening, after we had returned to the ship, we were taken to a special event for world cruise passengers at a private club The Hong Kong Club. Four people entertained us at the club while we were having cocktails: a calligrapher, a caricature artist, a cricket (made of bamboo leaves) maker and a fortuneteller. During the twelve-course dinner of Chinese food dragon dancers, silk dancers and a string trio entertained us. A very special event with Judy being pictured in an object of are outside the club.
