Hong Kong

Probably twice the size of New York, Hong Kong is a HUGE city...with highrise apartments, neon signs and enormous billboards to rival Times Square.  My first day off the long flight from Sydney happened to coincide with a one of the more rowdy expat events of the year: The Rugby Sevens' tournament, ie. an international excuse for a drunken costume party within a football stadium.  Christa and Nash got us tickets, which was a huge treat.  Several hours and Pimm's cups later, the scene inside the stadium reminded me, oddly, of college football game meets college halloween frat party, but with Asian signage and British accents.  My favorite match was when New Zealand pummelled the USA...the All Blacks (NZ national team) kicked the pants off of us, as well they should have.

Christa and Nash live in a lovely bay outside of the city, called Lobster Bay.  Their setting is so peaceful and idyllic, with views of the sea and mounains surronding a little fishing village.  Its quite easy to forget the concrete jungle, the people-packed metropolis that is Hong Kong only 25 minutes away.  This weekend, we took the kayaks outside the bay and then hiked from the beach up to the top of one of a hill, at Clearwater Bay Country Park.  The views were nice, though the smog gave everything a haze that looked as if it should burn off,  but actually never will.   Smog is a significant concern here.  Nash and Christa noted that certain days during the summer, when humidity and smog is at its height, children aren't allowed to go outside to play.  But right now, with almost no humidity and a light breeze, the sky everywhere just looks a little foggy.  

Christa took me into the city yesterday, to her old stomping grounds and the heart of Hong Kong's shopping district.  I saw every designer shop I have ever heard of, and a few hundred more which sounded vaguely familiar.  Aparently the Chinese like to shop.  And then there was the open market (below) The whole place fascinated me...the sights, smells, sounds, and the mass of people everywhere.  A long walk through the city markets and shops, a ride on the tram, followed by a foot massage, and it's official...I love this place.