Twas past five in the morning of Dec. 04, 2010 when the flight attendant announced to get ready for the take- off of Cebu Pacific Airlines. I feel that its still early anyway for a 5:45 morning flight bound for Hongkong that I can still take my nap inside the plane. But I cant resist the inviting scenery of the cotton white, softy clouds as the aircraft went up higher and higher, till we cant see anymore any islands or sea, beneath the sky. And once in a while the velvety yellowish color of the peeping sun in an early morning sunlight in between the thin lining of cumulus clouds were visibly awesome to look. The early morning flight was just perfect to arrive in Hongkong International Airport before the traffic jam going to the hotel.
We arrived at Hongkong International Airport after almost two hours travel. I find the place modern and huge airport. It is one of the world’s busiest airport, in terms of International passengers and cargo movements. The high rise building are the prominent site once the plane touch down the ground. While waiting for the travel agent to fetch us from the airport to the hotel, we ate our breakfast at Burger King. Hamburger, coffees, chocolates and other foods are understandably expensive because we are still inside the airport area. We arrived in the hotel almost 10:00 am and the hotel people were just kind enough to let us checked- in even its not 12 noon yet. We ate our lunch in a walking distance restaurant near our hotel. When we came back, we rested and sleep to prepare a night out visit in the nearby stores.
On our 2nd day the tourist bus and guide were already in the hotel by 8:00 in the morning for our city tour. Meanwhile, I wish to mention that Trajet Travel and Tours is our travel agency which has travel agent in Hongkong that met us at Hongkong International airport. His name is Randy Chan. He is very accommodating, charming and have a good sense of humor. He makes you feel at home while discussing some information about the place. He discussed some historical places of Hongkong. Few minutes after, I realized that we are passing the Cross-Harbour Tunnel. Before, they used only a ferry boat to cross the other part of Hongkong. But with the construction of the tunnel, you can even hardly feel that you’re passing through under water or sea on a 1.8 km- long tunnel. Actually, the tunnel is beneath the Victoria Harbour, providing the first road link between Kowloon and end to Causeway Bay, Hongkong Island. It also links the main financial and commercial districts on both sides of Victoria Harbour and Hongkong island. Tourist industry is the leading industry in Hongkong because its a free port place to go. Hongkong is offering visa free entry to more or less, 170 nationalities. A natural multi destination and get away to China, Macau and the rest of Asia. Another important info that I’ve learned, Kowloon hotel is the smallest hotel in Hongkong, where in even ur lying on ur bed, you can just reach and turn on ur TV even without the remote control. They have a modern hospital with the famous cardiologists -the Adventist Hospital. The Chief Executive is the highest official in the land.
Hongkong the place.
Its a tropical coastal island surrounded by a hilly terrain, lush green country side, and soaring mountains surrounded by the sea. It consists of the island of Hong kong, Stonecutters’ Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories on the adjoining mainland. It has four season, which is Spring, Autumn, Summer and Winter. During Summer season, the temperature could reach as much as 34 to 35 degrees C. Winter is considered as the best season of the year as it is the season of celebrating Christmas and new year. He further stressed that Hongkong as a sophisticated metropolis, is a city that never sleeps. The trendy nightspots keeps the party mood going throughout the night. It is even recognized as the Calendar capital of Asia or an undisputed capital events of Asia. Month in and month out, a host of cultural arts and world class sports. Hongkong boast more than ten thousand restaurants, serving Chinese and Asian food and International Causine. And when you think about shopping, Hongkong is the best place to go. From a trendy fashion to the latest innovation with the endless choices anytime. The good news is, your shopping spree are tax free.
Some of the tourist attractions/spots we have visited:
1. Avenue of Stars- was modeled on the "Hollywood Walk Of Fame." It is located along the Victoria Harbor in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hongkong. It is a place where it honours the celebrities of the Hongkong Film Industry. It features commemorative plaques, kiosk with movie memorabilia, handprints of of movie celebrities, and also a life- size statue of the legendary Kungfu action star, no other than Bruce Lee. Prominent also is a towering Hongkong Film Awards Statuette, large replica of the 2008 Summer Olympic torch which is a permanent display there. To add more number of attractions that exist, the Museum of Art, Cultural Center, Space Museum and clock tower. But we were not able to reached that part anymore as the alarm sounded for us to go back to our tourist bus. We still need to go to other tourist spots. We’re just given 20 minutes to explore the place for picture taking. Besides, its a long way walk along the promenade.
The prominent stars, directors, singers lyricist, writers, film actors and actresses that has a handprints are the following:
1. Jet Li- film actor
2. Chow Yun Fat- TV and film actor
- Bruce Lee- actor, martial artist founder of Jeet Kune Do, and voted as the Greatest Martial Artist of all time
4. Jackie Chan- film actor
5. Jacky Cheung- Cantopop singer and film actor
- James Wong- lyricist and writer.
The above name are just among the hundred prominent persons in Hongkong where their handprints are on the ground(see attach photo of my daughter Jeasam on the Avenue of StarS Pathway).
2. Victoria Harbour- it is one of Hongkong’s pride or greatest assets. People come from all over the world to see and admire the panoramic night view and skyline. It hosted to many major public shows, including the annual fireworks displays. The shows are popular to both tourists and locals alike, and the show is usually telecast on local television. You can also see some of the worlds tallest building, Two International Finance Centre with 88 stories and rank 10 in wold tallest building. And the latest is the ICC or the International Commerce Centre.** It is 416 ft. above sea level, with 108 stories, and rank 4th tallest building of the world.
3. The Peak- among the most popular attraction in Hongkong is the Victoria Peak. Looking down from The Peak you will b amazed to see the incredible of the surroundings, the world famous Victoria Harbour, the towering skyscraper, the peaceful hillsides and mountains, and even the sea where you can actually have a joy ride in a ferry boat to go around the Harbor in the amount of HKD$ 50.00 of more or less 30 minutes ride. You will see the landmark of Hongkong- the Jumbo floating restaurant. Also because of the housing problem, floating refrigerator, electric fan, comfort room is still common in thefloating boat house of the fishermen. But eventually, according to our tourist guide, they will be eliminated by the time that the govt project of putting up more buildings will be done.
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