2024 WORLD CRUISE
2024 WORLD CRUISE – BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS
SILVERSEA Silver Whisperer – January 15 – May 26.
132 Nights. 66 Ports, 15 Countries.
Tag: Hong Kong
Thursday, April 4, 2024 – Photo of the Day -Hong Kong, China
Where in the World Are We?
We are in Hong Kong, China, in Southeast Asia.
HONG KONG, CHINA
DISCOVER A SOPHISTICATED FUSION OF EAST AND WEST
When people think of Hong Kong, they might envision a bustling metropolis filled with towering skyscrapers,
neon lights, and crowds. However, beyond the concrete jungle lies a surprising amount of natural beauty,
with a wide range of ecosystems, habitats, and species that call this region home.
with a wide range of ecosystems, habitats, and species that call this region home.
One of the most striking natural features of Hong Kong is its coastline. With over 200 islands and 700 km of coastline,
Hong Kong offers diverse marine habitats, including rocky shores, sandy beaches, and coral reefs. These areas
are home to an array of marine life, including crabs, sea snails, starfish, and a wide variety of fish species. Moving inland, Hong Kong also has many natural parks and reserves. One of the most famous of these is the Hong Kong Global Geopark, which encompasses an area of over 50 square kilometers on the eastern side of the New Territories. This area is known for its impressive geological formations, including hexagonal rock columns, sea caves, and volcanic rocks.
Hong Kong offers diverse marine habitats, including rocky shores, sandy beaches, and coral reefs. These areas
Another popular natural attraction in Hong Kong is the Tai Mo Shan Country Park, which is located in the heart of the
New Territories. This park features rugged mountain terrain, lush forests, and a variety of wildlife, including monkeys,
birds, and reptiles. It’s also home to Hong Kong’s tallest peak, Tai Mo Shan, which stands over 900 meters tall. Perhaps
one of the most impressive things about Hong Kong’s natural beauty is the way it coexists with the urban environment:
famous Victoria Harbour is not only a hub of commerce and transportation but also home to various marine life, including dolphins and small fish. Hong Kong’s natural beauty is essential to the region’s identity and culture. Despite being a densely populated and highly developed area, Hong Kong’s diverse array of natural habitats and species continue to thrive, thanks in part to the efforts of conservationists and nature enthusiasts. Whether hiking through the mountains, exploring the coastline, or simply enjoying the green spaces within the city, there’s no shortage of opportunities to connect with nature in Hong Kong.
New Territories. This park features rugged mountain terrain, lush forests, and a variety of wildlife, including monkeys,
birds, and reptiles. It’s also home to Hong Kong’s tallest peak, Tai Mo Shan, which stands over 900 meters tall. Perhaps
one of the most impressive things about Hong Kong’s natural beauty is the way it coexists with the urban environment:
famous Victoria Harbour is not only a hub of commerce and transportation but also home to various marine life, including dolphins and small fish. Hong Kong’s natural beauty is essential to the region’s identity and culture. Despite being a densely populated and highly developed area, Hong Kong’s diverse array of natural habitats and species continue to thrive, thanks in part to the efforts of conservationists and nature enthusiasts. Whether hiking through the mountains, exploring the coastline, or simply enjoying the green spaces within the city, there’s no shortage of opportunities to connect with nature in Hong Kong.
TEMPLE STREET NIGHT MARKET
A stroll through the Temple Street Night Market is a ‘must-do’ in Hong Kong. Located in Kowloon, this is the place to taste diverse foods and shop for bargains from clothing and electronics to household goods. Vendors sell gadgets of every shape and size, jade jewelry and traditional Chinese crafts.
SIGHTS
- Tai O Fishing Village
- Avenue of Stars
- Hong Kong Park
- Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden
- Lamma Island
- Tsim Sha Tsui
Today’s Excursion – Glimpse of Hong Kong
We explored the splendid local landmarks, markets and sights of Hong Kong.
Victoria Peak
We departed the pier on a bus for the scenic drive to Victoria Peak. Also named Tai Ping Shan, or ‘Mountain of Great Peace’, Victoria Peak is visited by millions of tourists and locals every year, mainly for the breath-taking panoramic views of the city and harbour, but also because of the numerous interesting walks that begin here.
Tin Hau Temple
Tin Hau, which means ‘Goddess of the Sea’, is revered by fishermen and anyone whose life and destiny is tied to the sea. Temples that honor her are found in abundance in Chinese coastal communities throughout Asia, and Hong Kong is no exception. The location of this particular temple in the middle of an urban area might strike you as rather odd, but you can learn why during a guided walking tour.
Wet Food Market and Jade Market
These markets are windows into a vivid and timeless world of food shopping that refuses to be extinguished by modern supermarkets. Of all the wet markets in the city, this one abounds with bustling stalls selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood. We experienced the sights and sounds of this lively, old-school market in full swing. Afterward, we continued on-foot to the renowned Jade Market. Here, hawkers sell various shapes and qualities of this precious stone. To the Chinese, jade has great spiritual value for warding off evil. When carved into certain shapes, it can represent wealth (deer), good fortune (tiger) and power (dragon).
Chinese traditioal wedding gift from groom’s side to bride’s family
That afternoon we went to the Hong Kong Museum along the waterfront.
Check out today’s Chronicle.
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 – Photo of the Day – Hong Kong, China
Where in the World Are We?
We are in Kong Kong, China, in Southeast Asia.
HONG KONG, CHINA
A GREAT VARIETY OF CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINING SIGHTS
Many elaborate temples add a tranquil element to Hong Kong’s whirr, and Tin Hau temple has a surprisingly urban
location, considering its dedication to the Goddess of the Sea. It did once occupy the shorefront, but the city’s growth
saw land reclaimed from the sea around it, leaving the temple marooned inland.
Having been leased to the British for 99 years, milky tea is a revered tradition here – enjoy your cup with a serving of
local dim sum. While it’s easy to think all the bright lights are the sum of today’s Hong Kong, you need only walk or
board a tram for the short jaunt west into Western to discover a side of Hong Kong that is more traditionally Chinese
but no less high-energy.
You’ll discover actual Hong Kong east of Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and beyond. Amid the residential towers are restaurants, shopping malls, bars, convention centers, a nice smattering of museums, and – depending on fate and the horse you wager on – one of Hong Kong’s luckiest or unluckiest spots, the Happy Valley Racecourse.
LAN KWAI FONG
You will find the trendiest restaurants in Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong’s most popular dining area. This is the place to come, especially at night. Dining on the open-air patios lining the sidewalks and watching the crowds stroll by is a must-do in Hong Kong. You can find cuisine from around the world.
SIGHTS
- Peak Tram
- Dragon’s Back Hike
- Sky100
- Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
- Hong Kong Museum of History
Today’s Excursion – Classic Highlights of Hong Kong
We explored some of Hong Kong’s most popular historic landmarks.
Victoria Peak
From Garden Road, the brand-new tram took us for the eight-minute ride uphill to the 1,300-foot Victoria Peak. We took spectacular views and photos of Hong Kong and Kowloon.
Aberdeen
A sampan boat provides a fascinating look at this floating settlement. Gliding along the city’s oldest harbor, our cruise takes you past houseboats, fishing sampans, and floating restaurants.
Stanley Market
Once a fishing village, Stanley Market has earned a reputation as a paradise for bargain hunters and for its exciting scenery. The narrow lanes are lined with small shops selling the latest in fashion clothing, such as overruns of designer jeans and sportswear and leather and silk clothing in Western sizes. In addition, a good selection of souvenir items can be found here.
Dinner was on the pool deck, and a laser light show was on Hong Kong Victoria Bay.
TONIGHT’S LOCAL SHOW – NED KELLY BAND
Ned Kelly’s Last Stand is a famous Hong Kong pub named after Australia’s greatest folk hero. It is reputed to be the oldest jazz pub in Hong Kong, and regulars affectionately refer to Ned Kelly’s as “Neds.”
Colin Aitchison & The China Coast Jazzmen have been the resident jazz band at the pub since 1997, and they perform as The Ned Kelly Band. In between, they are in demand at special events and jazz festivals, including Sacramento Jazz Festival, USA, and Macau Jazz Festival, Macau, and the Southbridge Jazz Club, Singapore.
Tonight, they performed three sets in the Panorama Lounge, where we enjoyed some foot-tapping Dixieland and swing jazz, plus a little Latin.
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Check out today’s Chronicle.