Hong Kong, China

Mon.& Tues. Mar. 7 & 8, 2011     71 degrees                                    7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

The routing in the South China Sea greatly depends on the time of year, as the currents vary with the seasons.  Hong Kong Harbour, known as Victoria Harbour, lies between the mainland and Hong Kong Island.  The harbor is one of Hong Kong’s few natural resources.  It is one of the largest and busiest container ports in the world.  Using radar, vessel traffic control and various electronic identification systems, we will monitor all other vessels and carefully navigate between the dense traffic.

Hong Kong has supported human life since at least the stone age.  Until the British claimed it, the area was a neglected corner of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) inhabited by farmers, fishermen and pirates.  The British took control of Hong Kong in 1841 following the Opium Wars. 

We will be docked at the Ocean Terminal in Kowloon.  Wonderful spot loaded with boutiques and connected to a series of downtown hotels.  In front is busy Canton Road.  The iconic Star Ferry Terminal just down the dock.

First day we left the ship and walked down Nathan Rd.  to the Mong Kok area (characterized by it bustling markets, winding alleyways).  We visited the Flower Market,  the Bird Market and finally the Ladies market.  Back on the ship for dinner and left to see the Symphony of Lights in English on Monday at 8 PM.  Duration 14 minutes.  The soundtrack for the light show is broadcast over loudspeakers from the waterfront promenade in Tsim Sha Tsui between Avenue of the Stars and the Hong Kong Cultural Center.



Display by Disney on Avenue of the Stars




Light show across the harbour



The second day we left the ship in the morning and took the Star Ferry over to Hong Kong Island.  We boarded a bus which took us on a ½ hour drive to Stanley Market.  Back on the ship after dinner we went to the Hong Kong Folkloric Show.  We were treated to a piano and Chinese violin performance,  a Chinese dragon performance, and the famous man of many faces. 



Took ferry and bus to Stanley Market




Large shopping center we walked through at dock

Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” and of course is celebrated on that day of the week.  The date can fall between Feb. 3 and Mar.9 depending on the Lunar calendar, used by the Catholic Church to determine the date of Easter.  Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.  The official colours were chosen in 1872 by the King of Carnival, Rex.  He chose these colours to stand for the following:  purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold stands for power.  We had a Mardi Gras Party in the Crow’s Nest on the ship with beautiful decorations in the above colours.  Dancing, band playing, food, drinks to enjoy as we left Hong Kong Harbour at 10:30 PM, which went on until the wee hours of the morning.   We are sailing south through the South China Sea towards Phu My, Vietnam.