Less than 48 hours after returning from Hong Kong, I am still decompressing and digesting the trip and all its intensity and wonders. Especially after spending several hours in NYC this evening, the comparison is startling. While both cities are very intense, surprisingly, New York feels calm and spacious in comparison to walking the streets of Kowloon and Hong Kong. The difference in population congestion is striking. Hong Kong is a population of over 7 million people and is not a city where single-family townhouses are conceivable. As we learned the average square footage of a Hong Kong apartment is 700 sq. feet and houses six people of three generations. Thus, it was a revelation to return home to our 3000 sq. ft house and contemplate how many people could live there, and to enjoy the woods and quiet. Both Kowloon and Hong Kong have little green open space, each place is paved, full of high rises, and would never survive without great air conditioning due to the intense heat and humidity.
In general, it was a very intense, busy week, working hard to see as much as possible, in case we do not have the opportunity to return.
On the first full day we ventured over to Hong Kong Island via the famous Star Ferry, enjoying the spectacular views of the harbor in all directions, watching the many boats of all sizes operating on the water. We then took the double-decker shuttle bus to the Tram which climbs the hill to Victoria Peak. The incline on the hill is so steep you can feel the pressure on your back as you are forced into your seat. Although the weather was not clear, the view of Hong Kong Island, as well as the Harbor, Lantau Island, Kowloon, was fabulous. The people watching was also fascinating, a very international crowd, everywhere. It was immediately apparent that two American contributions to the world have made there way to China and thoroughly invaded, Starbucks (which can be found everywhere) and Hagen Daz ice cream, both of which were available on Victoria Peak.
One of the most difficult parts of the trip, besides the 16 hours air time, is the 12 hour time difference. We did not make it out to dinner that evening. Among the things we noticed immediately were the HVAC mini-splits everywhere, hanging off the walls even of high rise buildings, and the bamboo scaffolding and nets, rather than steel and planks.
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