While Hong Kong Island and Kowloon are the two main islands, the outer islands also provide interesting tourist destinations.  Lantau Island is actually the largest and is where the airport is located.  For sightseeing, Ngong Ping 360 offers yet another spectacular view.  An easy subway ride takes you to the cable car entrance, which is right near…wait for it…another mall!  Now we aren’t talking a run-of-the-mill cable car.  We’re talking a 25 minute ride way up into the mountains.  In fact, at the bottom you can’t even see the end of the ride, it’s so far away and high up.  For a few extra dollars, I rode the “crystal cab,” which is a glass bottom cable car.  I was a little concerned about motion sickness, but all was fine.

As I’ve mentioned, there are no shortage of skyscrapers.  This creates an endless diversion for anyone who loves modern architecture.  Some more examples.

The Peak is one of Hong Kong’s most popular destinations.  Because of mountainous terrain, most of Hong Kong Island is not inhabited.  However, there are some insanely huge mansions built into the hillsides and at the top is known as The Peak, one of the highest lookout points in Hong Kong, with (what else?) shopping malls, restaurants and walking trails.  The views are spectacular.

Shopping.  If there is one big impression I get for Hong Kong is that it is a shopping mecca.  Bangkok was just a warm-up for Hong Kong when it comes to shopping and malls.  High end shopping bargain shopping, real Rolexes and lots of Rollexes.  As Asia’s prime business hub, there is lots of money here and money that loves to be spent.  I had prepared myself for another expensive stop along the way, like Sydney.  But in reality, Hong Kong is at most on par with Los Angeles and in many respects, cheaper.  A movie costs $50HK and large drink $25HK, which is under ten dollars total.  Most subway rides are $8.50 HKG, or about $1.20 US.

While much more bearable that Bangkok in terms of heat and humidity, it’s still a bit warm and sticky here.  And again, what looks close on a map is not.  So walking from place to place takes awhile.  But the transportation system is great.  Maybe not as many lines or stations as Paris.  But  the stations are clean, modern, and well air-conditioned.  You can’t really get lost because there are so many directional signs letting you know which exits lead you to buildings, malls, attractions.  And you practically don’t even have to step outside with its underground maze of corridors lined with shops and cafes, all leading to buildings and malls and the next station on the subway map.

Walking the main streets at night is sensory overload and fun (if you can avoid everyone trying to sell fake watches, handbags, etc.).  Signs are lit up everywhere and video screens play against the buildings.  It feels foreign and familiar at the same time.

As I look at the skylines of both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon (where I’m staying), which face each other across Victoria Harbour, I have never seen so many skyscrapers.  It dwarfs New York in terms of building after building.  Here are various shots of Hong Kong Island’s skyline:

As I arrived in Hong Kong last night, here is the updated map:

As I leave Thailand behind (except to be back at the airport next week), I am so grateful for having had the experience.  While Bangkok is definitely not my favorite destination, I had the opportunity to see something unlike I’ve ever seen before and am glad for it.  I loved Chiang Mai and fortunately it gave me a taste of true Thai culture.  I met a few others who agreed that getting out of Bangkok and seeing other parts of the country are a real treat.  So my advice is, see Bangkok for a couple of days but plan to go elsewhere.  I’d like to some day see the beaches in Phuket and more of the countryside.  People here are so friendly and go out of their way to please you.  I hope you all can make it here someday.

Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar is one of its most well-known attractions.  Starting around 5PM and going until around 11, it is streets and alleys and courtyards filled with stalls selling everything from silk ties to t-shirts to crafts.  It is unbelievable how seemingly endless it is.  And jam packed.   As with any street market, you have to sort through the crap but there are nice finds and good bargains to be had.