Victoria peak and more

Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Hong Kong, China
lWe experienced all sorts of travel options today. We bused to Stanley Market, took the funicular (vertical trolley) from Victoria Peak and the Star Ferry across the bay from Hong Kong to Kowloon where our hotel is. We learned that that there are 7 million people living here, so the density is the tightest we have encountered. The views are amazing and the diversity is impressive. The restrictions are gone,ie Facebook, more news options etc. Even though this is part of China, it is it's own district.

Bruce explained that Cantonese (spoken here) and Mandarin are very different . Mandarin is what is spoken in Beijing and most of mainland China. The characters are the same but the pronunciation is so different. We also learned that Cantonese can have up to 8 different meanings to one word depending on it's intonation. Bruce used the example that "I have Hunger" and "I have diarrhea" are very similar. The consequences could be disastrous.

We had the afternoon free, so we relaxed at the pool area. This hotel is beyond opulent and the details and service are the best I have experienced. We end the trip, like all Disney adventures, with a farewell dinner. It is touching and poignant, as everyone tells something that was meaningful or unexpected. The finaleĀ“ is the slide show that chronicles each day's events and all the fun that was had.

This group was truly special. It was mentioned how there wasn't the "late" one or the "whiney" one, as many groups usually have. I was particularly impressed with Pat. She had recently lost her husband and had the courage to step out of her comfort zone and travel alone. The best part was that she wasn't ever alone : )

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