Our last full day corresponded with China's National Day. We headed down town to take the Star Ferry across to Hong Kong Island .
The Ferry is the most recognisable site in the city. These old, 1960's, ferries chug between Kowloon and Hong Kong. The ferry service has been in existence since 1898 and was started by Mr Dorabjee Nowrojee.
After a short 10 minute ride we landed at the Central Ferry terminal and walked into the city. Immediately you notice how modern everything is. The buildings are fronted with reflective glass whilst below trolley buses run up and down the main streets.
We made our way via part of the Escalator. This 792m long escalator runs from Central up into Soho. It boosts being the longest covered outdoor escalator in the world and cost HK$205 million to build.
We jumped off about half way up and made our way to the Man Mo Temple. This temple was built in 1847 and was dedicated to two deities, Man and Mo, (the Gods of Literature and War), believed to be real men - the 3rd century administrator Cheung Ah Tse and the 2nd century soldier Kwan Wan Chung - who were deified by the emperors. Their statues sit at the back of temple.
Inside the temple it is very atmospheric, with locals offering prays and incense burning from giant incense burners. The temple was being renovated during our visit, so the red and gold paintwork inside was bright, fresh and wet!
Outside locals perform ceremonies involving burning Hell Money. The exterior of the temple was covered due to the renovation, but is really not that exciting. The building really blends with its surroundings and could easily be missed as you stroll by.
We next wandered down to the Hollywood Road and Connaught Road to do some window shopping and to see if we could pick up any bargains. Apart from a few outdoor clothes we didn't purchase much. The area is really the business capital of Hong Kong and as such doesn't really cater for tourists. There are large shopping centres, but these are just like any shopping centre anywhere in the world.
One thing that was amazing though was the amount of Phillipino women that had gathered on the streets, walkways and thoroughfares. As it was the national holiday these women, who are mainly home helps and domestic staff, gather to catch up and share a meal. There were literately thousands of them. So had set up little cardboard cities to give them some comfort and privacy, it was rather sad to see them just sitting on the street, but in another way pleasing that they sort out each others company.
After a pleasant day we returned to the hotel as we had been told that there was going to be a grand firework display that evening. Our hotel window overlooked the harbour where this was going to take place so we had a grand stand view. Before the display hundreds of vessels of varying sizes gathered in the harbour, held back by the marine police. At 9pm the show started and what a show. It lasted for about half and hour and was probably the best firework display I had seen - but if you can't get a decent show in China where can you! It was an incredible end to a fantastic trip.
