We started the day with a trip to Victoria Peak. There was a typhoon in Shanghai yesterday (we left at the right time!) so the weather here in Hong Kong is very balmy and there was a lot of haze. 
We had a pretty limited view from the top of the mountain but since we had been there on a previous trip, we knew what we were supposed to see. I felt sorry for the ones who had never been there because the view is spectacular. It's what you see depicted every time you see a photograph of the harbour in Hong Kong on a clear day.
We had a pretty limited view from the top of the mountain but since we had been there on a previous trip, we knew what we were supposed to see. I felt sorry for the ones who had never been there because the view is spectacular. It's what you see depicted every time you see a photograph of the harbour in Hong Kong on a clear day.From there we went to Aberdeen and arrived at the dock where we would get a good look at the life there from our own little junk.
The harbor of Aberdeen was once famous for the Chinese junks, floating restaurants, and houseboats where fishermen lived. (However, today most fishermen have moved to apartment buildings on land.)
One of the most interesting activities at Aberdeen is renting a sampan and zigzagging among the fishing boats, watching fishermen at work. We also say the official Chinese Flags flying once again and this time on the sampans ;-)
The harbor of Aberdeen was once famous for the Chinese junks, floating restaurants, and houseboats where fishermen lived. (However, today most fishermen have moved to apartment buildings on land.) One of the most interesting activities at Aberdeen is renting a sampan and zigzagging among the fishing boats, watching fishermen at work. We also say the official Chinese Flags flying once again and this time on the sampans ;-)We started our journey on a small junk to get a closer look at the fishing boats, sampans and fishermen. 
There is a wonderful floating restaurant that I'd like to try if we ever get back here again.
We had done this before but there really seemed to be more boats in this harbour than had been on our last visit. I also had a much harder time getting on and off of our little "junk" than I did the last time as well. Do you think age might have a little something to do with that???
There is a wonderful floating restaurant that I'd like to try if we ever get back here again. We had done this before but there really seemed to be more boats in this harbour than had been on our last visit. I also had a much harder time getting on and off of our little "junk" than I did the last time as well. Do you think age might have a little something to do with that???From Aberdene we went to a jewelry factory where we watched the craftsmen making jewelry. It was very interesting but the last thing I need at this stage of my life is more jewelry. I had already mad a few purchases along the way so we passed on purchasing. It was very interesting, though, watching the process.
When we left the factory we went to Stanley Market to see what bargains we could find. 
Stanley Market is one of Hong Kong's best-loved attractions. In its traffic-free lanes, cottages and shops have been converted into well-stocked boutiques selling a wide range of relatively inexpensive clothing, including factory overruns of locally made designer items. 
Porcelain, rattan ware, and other hand-crafted items are also readily available at competitive prices.All the young people here in china are really up to date on fashion trends and they look so cute in the outfits that they wear. 
I didn't find much there this time. There was a lot of local art, but then, after all, I paint!
The last visit I made to this market seemed to be more interesting, but then the markets that we had visited in other parts of China had beckoned me to "buy - buy-buy", so I was about shopped out by now.
Stanley Market is one of Hong Kong's best-loved attractions. In its traffic-free lanes, cottages and shops have been converted into well-stocked boutiques selling a wide range of relatively inexpensive clothing, including factory overruns of locally made designer items. Porcelain, rattan ware, and other hand-crafted items are also readily available at competitive prices.All the young people here in china are really up to date on fashion trends and they look so cute in the outfits that they wear. I didn't find much there this time. There was a lot of local art, but then, after all, I paint! The last visit I made to this market seemed to be more interesting, but then the markets that we had visited in other parts of China had beckoned me to "buy - buy-buy", so I was about shopped out by now.When we left Stanley, we came back to the hotel for a break. They were saying on the news that the typhoon in Shanghai was the worst that has hit the China coast in decades. It was a Force 5 storm!
Hong Kong is on the South China Sea and is really a mountainous area built on many islands. Almost the entire city is built on land-fill. It's amazing to think that land-fill has the capability to support that many huge buildings, skyscrapers and people. It seems I learn something new every day.
We are planning on attending a laser light show in the harbour tonight and then on to dinner with Jack and Helen Lassley for Italian food. Plans, however, have a tendency to change, and we were all pretty tired. I decided to stay at the hotel while Frank went to the light show. Unfortunately he didn't take a camera, but I don't have a tripod with me so he couldn't get any good shots anyway. When he got back we decided to have pizza here at the hotel (that's Italian, isn't it???)
After dinner we strolled down to the harbour to look at the lights of Hong Kong at night and it was beautiful. The haze is starting to lift so you could see much better than you could earlier in the day.
I forgot to mention that at 4:00 p.m. there was a knock on our door and our porter brought in our afternoon tea. In a lovely basket there was nestled hot tea, cups and also a tray with apples.
It was Jasmine tea and the very best that I have ever tasted. It was a welcomed afternoon surprise.
It was Jasmine tea and the very best that I have ever tasted. It was a welcomed afternoon surprise.I also learned today that Feng Shui literally translates as "wind-water." In ancient times as well as today, Feng Shui, pronounced in English as ("fung shway"), was known as "Kan-Yu" which means 'The Law of Heaven and Earth.’ Today's Feng Shui schools teach that it is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment.
I must say again at this time that we both agree that this trip to China is the best experience that we have ever had. It has truly been a dream come true. Now, when people ask me what my favorite place to visit is, it will have an answer for them. I used to say that was a hard question to answer because we have been fortunate enough to have seen most of the world, but now my answer will be "China!"
We only have one more day left in this wonderful country so I'll try to make the next blog interesting. Hong Kong is a wonderful city, so I'm sure there will be more wonderful adventures tomorrow.
Pcasso
We got up early and got on a bus that took us out of the city of Guilin. 
We rode for about 40 minutes and arrived at the embarkation point of our Li River Cruise. Our local guide was not only very well informed and knowledgeable, she was also very cute.
Frank thought she was exceptional since she was undergoing Orthodontic treatment and still wearing her braces ;-) 
As I said before, this place has fascinated me since I was a little girl and I couldn't believe that I was going to actually have the opportunity to visit this amazing place. We saw things along the road that took us back in time.
The scenery from the bus was wonderful but paled in comparison to what was lying ahead of us.
The Garden of Eden couldn't have been lovelier. 
The limestone peaks that surrounded us were absolutely breathtaking. This was a combination of enough Kodak moments here to last for a lifetime!
We saw ducks and water buffalo,
sampans along the shore where people were living, 
rafts with fishermen with Cormorants
... everything that you think about when you mentally envision China as it was centuries ago. The trip down this river was a lifelong dream come true for me. I didn't want it to ever end.
the cooks on board started to prepare our lunch. This would be a long process as they were catching the fish that we would be eating right here in the river. These tiny soft-shelled crabs were delicious.
They cooked on the back of the boats so the smell of the frying fish would not be offensive to us. 
When you are in China you should do what the Chinese do.
After all, this is a special time and a celebration!!!
As we continued down the river after lunch, we still had many new sights to see. 
There were more Water Buffalo and cows 
and of course the limestone peaks that have been depicted here on the local currency which we spent on our wine.
Once we completed our river journey we were first greeted by an old gentleman who was letting you take photographs of his Cormorant. In Guilin, cormorant birds are famous for fishing on the shallow Li River. 
A snare is tied near the base of the bird's throat, which allows the bird only to swallow small fish. When the bird captures and tries to swallow a large fish, the fish is caught in the bird's throat. When the bird returns to the fisherman's raft, the fisherman helps the bird to remove the fish from its throat. The method is not as common today, since more efficient methods of catching fish have been developed. Consequently, these birds are not only the fisherman's friend, they also contribute to his trade and source of income. They are his livelihood.
He graciously allowed Frank to take a picture of me with him for a small fee. I wish I had his hat! 
And then, of course, there were more Hello Hello people. 
We then we went to the local market. It was another treat for the eyes. So colorful and serene, nestled there among the peaks.
They were selling a little bit of everything there and the prices were excellent. A real good value. You could even bargain with the vendors. It's probably where the man selling that fan on the side of the boat bought his. 
I bought a wonderful silk scarf that had a design by Picasso on it. After all, I AM Patti Picasso :-) I also tried on one of the hats, but I didn't even look as good in it as the old gentleman looked in his, so I opted to pass that bargain by.
The way they live in foreign countries and carry on their day to day activities is so different from ours. Apparently this is an easy way to carry heavy things. I can't imagine leaving the grocery store with this on my shoulders.
We saw many street vendors on our walk back to the bus. 
They were selling everything from fruit to Leeche Nuts.
They even had mobile "stores" to try to sell you something as you were getting on the bus. Their motto should be "Have cart ... will travel". Talk about marketing!!!
After a very exciting day and a long bus ride to the airport, we boarded the plane and headed for our final destination in China ...Hong Kong. We had to make one pit stop along the way and I saw a very remarkable sight. For once, there was a line outside of the MEN'S room. That doesn't happen very often and it does a woman's heart good.
And now ... here comes Papa and the carry-ons!
He's carrying his own stick, as my Mother used to call it. Looks like he needs it almost as much as I do.
We literally went through the bowels of the earth to get to customs. 
Our room is great ... large and very comfortable. Clean, crisp Egyptian cotton sheets are always a welcomed sight.
I highly recommend the Shangri-La chain of hotels. They are all five-star and wonderful. We even have electric drapes that can be operated from our bed. 
There is a beautiful view of the city and we can't wait until morning to see what we can see out of our window.