Victoria’s Point Gardens and Aqua Luna Hong Kong

In between protests and trips through the streets and markets of Kowloon district of Hong Kong,  we made our way out for a few outings during our visit here.

Everyone loves Hong Kong.

The people are lovely.

Elders walk the streets, moms with kids.

Lots  of old world shops,  the  kids of spaces Tony Bourdain worried were disappearing.

People in markets selling  all sorts  of food.

Neon adds for foot massages,

Duck,

Tea,

Umbrellas,

Hats.

No  photographs says one man sitting in  an alley selling tomatoes and fruit.

Lennon Walls about the protests are everywhere, the city grappling with struggles between imperial powers, sovereignty, and a struggle for autonomy.

On Sunday, we make our way out to Central for the protest and a trip up to Victoria’s peak by tram.  Up, up, up the funicular takes us up the hill. Past the majestic banyan trees and forest. In Hong Kong, the interplay between  the city and the forest, the water and land, East and West, makes for a delirious mix.  Branches reach into concrete.  Beyond the trees a few of the bay. Old homes and imperial pasts dance with history  here.

Liza of Tripsget describes  the tram:

“My absolutely favorite destination in Hong Kong is Victoria Peak gardens – not the famous Victoria peak you most probably know, but another much more amazing place. It’s quite hard to find and it was shown to me by a local. When reaching Victoria Peak Observatory/Peak Tower, you’ve got to keep walking up the road for 10-15 minutes and when you’ll see stairs. Keep your eyes open, since these stairs are barely visible.

Once you’ve taken them, you’ll get to Victoria Peak gardens, but don’t stop! You’ve got to climb up the hill, because when you get on top of it, you’ll see a wonderful nearly 360-degree panorama of Hong Kong. And most probably, you’ll be there completely alone and can enjoy the view in silence.”

Its hard  to believe  how beautiful it is. 

Back down we walk by an old world tea house and lunch of roast goose,

At Yat Lok Roast Goose.

34-38 Conwell House Central, Stanley St, Hong Kong.

The food came lickety split.

The waitress was hilarious, bringing us teach and soup immediately,

Chucking with her compatriots about how sweaty I was,

Bringing  us crispy and sweet goose lucky nothing I have had.

The protests took all afternoon,

With free hugs and conversation.

Tear gas and declarations of autonomy.

The young people are fighting for their future.

Saying goodbye to my friends, I ran into a social  worker, making plans supporting the movement.

Later that night he would be detained by police.

I was on my way to take a ride on a Chinese junk as the sun went down on the bay.

The little one sat across from us.

While Caroline and I toast 18 years of marriage.

We’ve celebrated our anniversaries in Brooklyn, Spain, Naples, France, and now Hong Kong with a majestic Chinese junk making its way down the harbor as the sun went down.

Light reflecting on  the water.

Liza of Tripsget describes the trip to the trip around the bay:

“Going on a traditional Chinese junk is one of the most unique things to do in Hong Kong. The stunning red sails of the Aqua Luna are iconic and clearly visible every night as it sails up and down Victoria Harbour. It’s one of the last remaining red-sail Chinese junk boats and has been refurbished to take passengers on short harbour cruises…. book a spot on Aqua Luna’s sunset cocktail cruise to watch Hong Kong’s famous skyline come alive at night.”