Breakfast at the Eaton Hotel is in the basement and is set up like a food court. It's really nicely done and everyone can find something here. At 9.30am we meet Polly, our German tour guide for the day, who Markus and Robert met nine years ago. We take the bus to the promenade by the water.
It offers a perfect view of the Hong Kong skyline. The railway station used to be here. Only the Clock Tower remains.
After a few fascinating explanations about the individual buildings, we take the Star Ferry across to Hong Kong Island. The ferry is from the 50/60s and is painted in green and white. The innovation from back then still exists today and the bench backs can be folded down so that you can always sit facing the direction of travel, as the ferry does not turn round. We travel on the Solar Star ferry, built in 1958. Hong Kong has 263 islands and 75% of its land area is undeveloped. There are 47 nature conservation parks. In 1841, Hong Kong was ceded by China to the British. In 1997, Hong Kong was returned to China on the condition of special administration for 50 years.
The Central Plaza has a floor with a 360-degree view, completely free of people, so it's an absolute insider tip. From there you can see the Happy Valley, which is a cemetery, as well as the horse racecourse. Hong Kong has 13 typhoon harbours. The central underwater tunnel has connected Kowloon and HK Island since 1973. There are 3 tunnels in total. Since the middle of the 18th century, Hong Kong has been enlarged by 67 km2 through land reclamation. In 1998, the airport was moved from the city centre to one of the islands. The old site is now the modern cruise terminal. It is unbelievable how the aeroplanes had to land dangerously through the houses back then.
We stroll through a street market and on the way to the temple we pass the well-known blue house. Even the manhole covers point to it.
There are about 600 temples in HK, we are at the largest Taoist temple from 1863 Wan Chai Pak. In the Chinese horoscope, the 12-year zodiac signs paired with the five elements play a role, which is why there are 60 personal deities on the wall. Polly also explains the rituals here. Such a wonderful place.
We continue through the weekly market. A hanging basket used to be the cash register and now it's the hanging buckets.
There is a lot to try, an egg tart, a thousand-year-old egg and a kind of mooncake. Later, we take a break and have a snack.
At Status Square there is another insight into the past and how the 10 statues fared during the Second World War. They were taken by the Japanese to make ammunition. Two have been found again. We also learn a lot about the banknotes, as they are printed by agreement by the three private banks and therefore look different.
Yes, we are in the financial sector. Did you know that HSBC was founded in HK in 1865 by Thomas Jackson to trade with Singapore? In front of the third building at the same location sit two lions, as is customary in China. They are western lions and symbolise the calm Mr Stitt and the loud Mr Steven, the first managers of the bank. The bullet holes from the war and the defacements during the 2019 riots have largely been left untouched.
Now we cross Li Yuen Street, an old local street, to the longest covered escalator. There are 19 of them, totalling 80 metres. Of the many cookshops, only 17 remain, and today there are food courts.
Aberdeen Street is extremely steep and therefore well-known. Hollywood Street is full of antiques or is it just junk? Polly shows us another street where there are lots of dried goods, such as fish bladders, which are good for synovial fluid and collagen, sea cucumbers, abalone and so much more...
And now to the tram called „Ding Ding“, which has been around since 1904, initially only one-storey but soon also two-storey. It is the cheapest means of transport on the island. No matter how long you travel it is always 3.30 HKD, 0.33 centimes. After 8 informative hours we are back at the hotel.
But not for long. We follow Polly's advice and enjoy the evening in the rooftop bar ‘Eye Bar„ with a perfect view of the illuminated skyline and the rather modest light show at 8 pm.
