Sihai (say Sue Hi) Park

Click on the title for a google map and another view.

This is a very large statue. I call it the Park Bull

Many people are in the park creating music or singing.

This Man is demonstating a glass cutting tool that he is then selling.

Acupuncture needles are all up and down her arm as she gets a treatment.

Very old bumper cars still provide fun for the kids.

There is a large pond covered in lily pads and there flowers.

On Sunday morning after our typical Honlu western breakfast (well sort of) Bev and I decided to go to the Sihai park and just walk around. The park could be very nice but this time of year it was in need of some sprucing up. We enjoyed seeing the people singing and playing there instruments. We spent about and hour or so in the park. This park is just a few bus stops away from our home.

Stanley Market in Hong Kong

Looking toward the Stanley Promedade

Your name in colorful Chinese characters

Bev enjoys the sun and view

The day after we got back from the States was a Thursday. We realized that we needed additional pages in our passports as they get 4 stamps every time we leave China even to go to Hong Kong. We made an appointment via the internet at the American Consulate in Hong Kong for Friday, as we would be able to go without missing a day of school. Since it only took part of a day we spend the rest of the time going across the island and visiting the Stanley Market which is on the opposite side of Hong Kong island. Very nice and fun day, thanks Bruce for the suggestion. In addition to the market there is a very nice boardwalk and a great Marine Museum. The ride along the winding narrow roads from the second level of the bus was quite an experience that had some folks hurrying to move down to the lower level.

These are the first pics from my new Nikon P5100 camera.

Holiday Vacation Time

Kylee and Braden Christmas 07

We have been away. We visited the states and enjoyed seeing our family and friends. We had too much to do and too many people to see in too short of time. We were able to see all of the grandchilderen and our children. Pictures to follow.

Christmas in Shekou, China

The View today off our deck

The Ship and a blue animated light very tall tree.
Notice the title Starry Christmas

They have started to celebrate Christmas in China. I am told that they did not do this five years ago. I think they are somewhat mixed up on the meaning of Christmas. The two Santas that appear in our little Seaworld area are both drinking beer! The large one on the building is a animation that shows a reindeer with a magic lamp and a genie Santa chugging a large mug of Beer. The plastic one is for tourist to take pictures in front of. It is like getting your picture taken standing in front of any great monument.

Hong Kong Tramways

Hong Kong Tramways owns and operates a fleet of 163 tramcars. These are electric powered and are a cross between buses and a trains coach car as they operate on a fixed railway. The link will give you much info including the sound of the bell. Bruce told me about these and I have to agree with him they are great fun. They provide a great view of the city especially from the top level. Many are colored with advertisements and most are similar in design. They are apparently making some new ones to replace some of the oldest ones. 240,000 daily tram rides are taken, and at $2.00 HK dollars it is a great deal, that is about 27 cents US. The trams have a great history. They have been in continuous service since 1904.

Hong Kong Trams

Lantau Island

Bev and Tim by Harbor Steps in Hong Kong with Christmas Decor

The News Bar near The Steps Restaurant

The Steps Restaurant

Bev's Ceasar Salad

Dried Fish for Sale

Dragon Boat
Bev on the Beach in front of the Steps restaurant on Lantau Island

This last Saturday we went to Lantau Island which is part of Hong Kong. It is the island that is famous for the Big Buddah, Disneyland Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Airport. We traveled for much of the day with some friends and had a great time. We found a great restaurant on the beach and had quite an adventure getting to it via some cryptic message a friend of theirs had given them. It ended up that we had to take three ferries, and a bus to get to the place, but the end result was fantastic. Good food, great beach, fun friends. What a blast. We did not see the Buddah we will keep that for another visit. Bev walked out into the water, yes it is was November 24th. Lots of people were wind surfing, kayaking and just enjoying the beach. We'll be back to this place but probably try to stay over night next time.

Star Ferry, Hong Kong

Most of the Star Ferries are Green

This is Lower Deck Seating, it is less expensive than the high priced upper deck
(saves about 10 cents per ride, our Dutch friends told us never to use the upper deck)

I like the red Star Ferry
I don't always see it though

Looking toward Central, the main part of Hong Kong

Also Looking Toward part of Central

The Star Ferry has been taking passengers across Victoria Harbor for many years. Connect to the link called Star Ferry History below if you are interested. This is the best tourist attraction of all time. Where can you take a boat ride on a piece of history in one of the most unbelievable cities in the world and do it for about 25 cents.


Star Ferry History

Cash

Cash from my plastic container I keep in the drawer

This is a cash society. I did not realize how little I used cash in the states until I came over here. I operated on a daily basis in the US with a couple of visa cards and a gas card and of course a Starbucks card. Over here you never leave home without cash in your pocket. You don't necessarily need a lot but you need some. Cash covers most everything and can get most anything done that you need. Credit cards don't work at all, but I do have a debit card that works for some large purchases in department stores that I take with me if I know I am going to buy a pricier item, otherwise it is cash and that goes for Hong Kong and Macau also. I can't believe it but I have to keep a certain amount of cash on hand at all times, just in case. We are paid in US $100 dollar bills and can draw on our account every Friday.

We generally change our money with the local money changer that operates in a store on our main route to work. I saw him the other day as he was being delivered a number of bricks of 100 rmb notes, out of a duffel bag. When you go into exchange money they have a couple of guys outside the store, (they also sell booze and pop) that kind of watch, so you step to the back to this grungy old metal desk and pull out your cash he counts it and counts out 100 rmb notes from a metal squeeky draw for you runs them through a machine to insure the count and hands them to you and your out the open doorway. Generally little if any words are exchanged. I always know I got ripped off, but I don't re-count until I am home and always find he was right on. You can get any kind of money you want, Hong Kong, Macau, Euro, US etc. Now your saying why don't you go to a bank? Well generally it takes a lot of time. They have to have someone examine your bills like they are counterfeit or something (This can take 15 min. to an hour) and you get about the same rate as the guy in the back of the store which takes less than a minute. The main bank that we use, (The school helped us set it up) is run by the Chinese Mafia so it really doesn't matter. The pic of the money is just some of what we have to keep on hand for going places and doing things. The funny thing is that I know what most of it is where to use it and how much it is worth. Don't even let me get into the coinage. That is another whole story. The small size coins are generally worthless so you give them to the beggars. A handful of them might buy a can of pop. Sometimes I think the coins are weighing me down as you can accumulate handfuls in a day of shopping. I quit carrying my wallet as have every other guy I talk to at school. It really has no value here. Bev does not carry a purse. I never drive and my ID has no value, nor do any of my bank cards and I am afraid I might loose it. I either need a passport if traveling or nothing, oh wait I do need something else, some CASH!

PS Don't start thinking we have a lot of money. The picture of the above money represents less than $500 US and you can see $200 is US. So lots of bills, not that much value. But you do have to like the color, size and design of the bills which is a lot more fun than just plain old green.