Days 5 to 8 - It All Blends Together...

Day 5
The last day of this year's International Board Meeting ended in the early afternoon on Sunday. Mensa in Germany presented a seminar on growth in their region with tips/advice on how to strengthen the group. More discussions on the future directions of the group helped us appreciate how far we've come, yet how far we have to go. Three presentations of potential locations of the 2008 meeting entertained us, then we voted (secret ballot). All three had marvelous characteristics - Macedonia Mensa is an emerging group, Mensa of Switzerland netted a hotel that would be for us only, and Mensa Italy would be celebrating its 25th anniversary. The vote went to Italy.

An hour or so after adournment, we boarded buses that would take us to Lantau Island and a beach dinner. Lantau is hilly so the bus traversing the curving highway on the left side of the road seemed like an amusement park ride. First stop was to view the Tsing Ma bridge, the longest road/rail suspension bridge in the world. It links the main part of Hong Kong with the island where the airport is - Lantau Island. Great views, but it was starting to rain.

Next stop was the Po Lin Monastery featuring the largest seated outdoor image in the world - an 85-foot bronze Buddha reached after a steep climb and about a zillion steps... in the rain... as the attraction was closing. Interestng that the Buddha faces north toward China, not south as is usual. This, because Hong Kong, in essence, is welcoming China with open arms. Maybe. Or keeping a close eye on China...

The final stop was at the restaurant, an open air barbecue place called The Stoop. Roasting, baking, cooking aromas greeted us - we were so ready to eat. The meal was wonderful - chicken, beef, potato salad, other salad, other items I cannot remember. Everyone was in a happy mood - food does that to people. Since the restaurant was so close to the sea, I just had to dip my feet in the South China Sea. It was dark but I still got some photos of my toes disappearing into the sand as the seafoam swirled around them. Very cool.

Day 6
Monday rolled around and we decided to go shopping in Mong Kok, a supposedly cheap place to find knockoff watches, handbags, etc. It was still raining so wasn't too comfortable traveling, but the train was fast & effiicient. Then once there instead of a positive experience, it was too, too "in your face" with the shopkeepers practically begging you to buy.

Day 7
Today we took the Hong Kong Island tour. Left from the hotel around noon, heading to the Kowloon Hotel to meet the tour guide. Finally got underway around 2pm with Andy, a bit of a cynical HKer, feeling trapped in his job. First stop - Man Po temple is undergoing renovation with bamboo scaffolding everywhere. It is Hong Kong's oldest place of worship, but needs attention now to its infrastructure. Huge coils of incense hang above our heads - the redolent smoke is heavy. We learn that two pieces of wood shaped like half moons are really the Buddha's lips and can be used to tell the future. Make a request, toss the wood chips, check how they land - the answer may be yes, no or perhaps.

The highlight of this tour is the next stop at the Victoria Peak tram. It is a misty day - not good for the best photos - but it's the only day we have. At the top of the highest point in Hong Kong we still have great views of the city. There is also a shopping mall at the top too. Everywhere there are shopping malls in Hong Kong. I ask Andy what that big bird flying around is - looks like a vulture or eagle. He says it's an eagle. I ask is it a bald eagle or golden eagle. Andy says it's a brown bird (in other words, he doesn't know). Must check into that.

After the Peak, we stop at a gem factory, the Dynasty Co. Andy emphasizes that there is no obligation to buy anything. He says this several times. I end up buying a pearl necklace, beautiful, gorgeous pearls at a good price. We are hustled out of there and to the Aberdeen fishing village where we are treated to a sampan ride through the anchored vessels, some enormous, some shabby. Many families live aboard, an arrangement that may not last much longer. The harbor area is being filled in to make room for more buildings. We see the jumbo floating restaurant and wonder what it would be like to eat a meal there.

Our last stop, a hurried one, is at the Stanley Market. Shopkeepers are already closing down since it is after 6pm. But I find some beautiful silk scarves and grab them. I'm beginning to feel turned off of shopping (never thought I'd say that) because the prices are really not that great & the merchandise with some exceptions is not that great. And I do not like to be pawed and fawned over.

A long ride back to the Kowloon Hotel then a train ride to Sha Tin brings us home again, tired again. We have a spaghetti dinner - quite good - and fall into bed.

Day 8
Today we plan to go to Central to check for Movado watches, a near mpossible item to find in the markets - Rolexes, yes, Movados, no. The Star Ferry ride is fast and efficient across Victoria Harbour. We get yet another view of the HK skyline - a more incredible skyline doesn't exist, I think, not even Manhattan's. Elevated footbridges and walkways take the crowds off the streets, a very good idea. The walkways connect the large office buildings and people move in air conditioned comfort and have even more opportunities for, what else? more shopping! I've never seen so many designer shops next to each other - Manolo Blahnik, Tiffany, Chopard, Armani, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo - and that's in one area. No Movados either - what we do find is priced the same as back home - no bargain.

Last day tomorrow. We'll find some souvenirs and an inexpensive suitcase for what we've bought.