Hong Kong SAR PRC
July 6-17, 2019
Incheon International Airport, Seoul Korea naturally dominated by Korean Air, but note the one Delta jet in the photo at the gate serving a daily non-stop flight from Incheon to AtlantaKrispy Kreme at the Incheon International Airport amidst all the duty free shopsJulia and Sam in the beautiful Terminal 2 at Incheon International Airport opened in December 2017Julia and Sam in the beautiful Terminal 2 at Incheon International Airport opened in December 2017Live entertainment stage at Incheon International AirportSpacious Incheon International Airport, Seoul KoreaOur gate at Terminal 2 Incheon International AirportKorean Air Flt 607 ICN to HKGFirst purchase in Hong Kong was Octopus Card, an extremely convenient reloadable money card for MTR (subway system) and all other public transportation and many shops and services in Hong Kong
Sam, Julia and Edgar traveled to Hong Kong via a Korean Air 747 from Atlanta to Seoul (approximately 14 hours) and then a Korean Air 777 to Hong Kong (approximately 4 hours), kudos to Korean Air!
Bamboo scaffolding used on buildings of all heights in Hong Kong as seen on the way to the Hong Kong International Airport Port of Hong Kong on the way to the Hong Kong International AirportHong Kong International Airport is truly international with many airlines from around the worldHong Kong International AirportTraveled from Hong Kong to Seoul on this Korean Air 787 DreamlinerTraveled from Hong Kong to Seoul on this Korean Air 787 DreamlinerKorean Air Flt 604 HKG to ICHSam and Julia enjoying comfortable economy class seats in Korean Air 787 with windows that can be darkened to allow such a photo even showing the view outside the plane, note button under windowDelta Airbus 350 from Seoul to Atlanta
Returned to Atlanta via Korean Air 787 from Hong Kong to Seoul and then Delta Airbus 350 to Atlanta, again kudos to Korean Air and the best plane award goes to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Atrium of MOKO Mall adjacent to Royal Plaza Hotel in Mong Kok district of Hong Kong and our convenient access to MTR subway from the hotelExcellent, free admission Hong Kong Museum of HistoryHong Kong Museum of History exhibit of lanternsHong Kong Museum of History exhibit of sail boatsHong Kong Museum of History exhibit of early cannonsHong Kong Museum of History exhibit of burial urnHong Kong Museum of History exhibit of ancient Chinese potteryHong Kong Museum of History display of stone incense burner from Qing Dynasty, 1886, the year Julia's great grandfather Burke answered call to missionary career in ChinaSam and Julia in front of Hong Kong Museum of History silk screen showing pandasHong Kong Museum of History exhibit of Chinese masksHong Kong Museum of History exhibit of festival costumesExample of Hong Kong Museum of History exhibit of historical documentsHong Kong Museum of History exhibit of bun towers for Festival of Buns now outlawed because of injuries suffered when a tower collapsed several years agoHong Kong trafficHong Kong trafficSam and Julia atop Victoria Peak (The Peak) overlooking Hong Kong and Victoria HarborView from The Peak with Hong Kong Island on near side of Victoria Harbor and Kowloon on the opposite side, tallest building on the Kowloon side, International Commerce Centre, is over 100 floors tallSam and Julia on Victoria Peak observation towerVictoria Harbor from Victoria PeakHappy birthday! Edgar celebrates 71st birthday at Bubba Gump atop Victoria PeakSam and Julia at Bubba Gump Restaurant at top of Victoria Peak, note view of Hong Kong from our tableApple Store at IFC with busy street running underneathThe Clock Tower of the former Kowloon-Canton Railway Station in Tsim Sha TsuiStart of Symphony of LightsSymphony of Lights, nightly light and sound show at Victoria Harbor as seen from Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Kowloon sideSymphony of Lights, nightly light and sound show at Victoria Harbor as seen from Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Kowloon sideSymphony of Lights, nightly light and sound show at Victoria Harbor as seen from Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Kowloon side
First full day in Hong Kong highlighted by Hong Kong Museum of History, Edgar's birthday dinner on Victoria Peak, evening walk on Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, and Symphony of Lights at Victoria Harbor
Second day in Hong Kong started with famous pineapple buns and included unique street markets near the Royal Plaza Hotel
Kam Weh Cafe & Bakery on Bute Street in Mong Kok famous for pineapple bunsKam Wah pineapple bun contains no pineapple, named for appearance of top of bun and always served with thick patty of butter insideOur hotel, Royal Plaza, located adjacent to MOKO Shopping Mall and a Church of Christ in China buildingRoyal Plaza Hotel on Prince Edward Road in Mong Kok district of Hong KongSam and Julia in spacious lobby of Royal Plaza HotelView from our Royal Plaza Hotel 12th floor room of Mong Kok district of Hong Kong with Queen Elizabeth School in the foregroundView from Royal Plaza 12th floor elevator lobby of Mong Kok and Prince Edward districts of Hong KongFlower Market across the street from our hotelFlower Market with hundreds of stalls and storesFlower MarketFlower MarketYuen Po Street Bird Market next to Flower Market in Mong KokYuen Po Street Bird Market next to the Flower MarketYuen Po Street Bird MarketBird MarketBird MarketAnd then the Goldfish MarketGoldfish MarketGoldfish MarketGoldfish MarketApartments everywhere with clothes hanging from balconiesTypical street scene in vicinity of hotelStreet sceneApartment buildings of all sorts of designsLadies Market in Mong Kok section of Hong KongLadies MarketLadies Market stall featuring the famous "beckoning cats"When there are no sign ordinances...Street market from pedestrian bridge at Mong Kok MTR stationTypical mixture of businesses, note cats in cages above sign with telephone numberMong Kok street sceneKowloon waterfront with the International Commerce Centre in the backgroundKowloon cruise terminal and harbor viewLooking across Victoria Harbor at Hong Kong side with IFC Tower at rightGolden Bauhinia is monument presented to Hong Kong on the occasion of British handover to Peoples Republic of China in 1997, bauhinia is the flower on the Hong Kong flag
Day trip to Lantau Island to see the Giant Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, and the fishing village, Tai O
Ngong Ping 360 glass floor gondola ride to see Giant BuddhaSam contemplative on 25 minute gondola rideView of Hong Kong International Airport from Ngong Ping 360 gondolaTian Tan "Giant" Buddha at 112 feet is the tallest seated bronze buddha statue in the world, seen here in the fog on the day we visitedSam and Julia at the foot of 268 steps leading to the Giant BuddhaSam gets a slight lead on his parents climbing the 268 steps to the base of the fog shrouded Giant BuddhaView of Giant Buddha after climbing stepsTwo of 6 "devas" offering gifts to Giantg BuddhaSam and Julia provide a good size comparison for the statues of the Devas, this one bringing an offering of musicLarge turnout in spite of foggy, later rainy, conditions at Ngong PingGate to Po Lin Monastery located near the Giant BuddhaEntrance to Po Lin Monastery with incense burning in foregroundTemple at Po Lin Monastery Temple at Po Lin MonasteryPo Lin Monastery at Ngong PingView of Giant Buddha from temple steps at Po Lin MonasteryTai O fishing village with houses biult on stilts in the bayTai O with iron foot bridge over this canalWrought iron pedestrian footbridge in Tai O fishing village as seen from tour motorboatMotorboat tour of historic Tai O fishing villageLocal fisherman at work in Tai OTai O fishing village, the Venice of Hong KongTai O tour boat takes us to see new Hong Kong to Macau bridge, longest bridge over an ocean in the world, 34 milesTai O HarborTemple in Tai OStray cat refuge in Tai OSam near two of 12-15 cattle roaming freely around Tai O
Day exploring the Central district of Hong Kong including Hong Kong Park and Man Mo Temple
Hong Kong ParkView from Kong Kong Park of tall apartment buildings built on steep terrain of Hong Kong IslandView of Bank of China building from Hong Kong ParkView of distinctive Lippo Centre from Hong Kong ParkTurtles in koi pond at Hong Kong ParkPendant lobster claw plant at Hong Kong Park Aviary at Hong Kong ParkHong Kong Park aviaryHong Kong Park aviaryHong Kong Park aviary170 year old St. John's Anglican Cathedral, oldest Anglican church in AsiaTowers of St. John's Anglican CathedralSteep neighborhood streets on Hong Kong IslandLan Kwai Fong entertainment district in Central Hong KongNarrow, steep street in SoHoPopular 172 year old Man Mo Temple in Central Hong KongBuddhist prayer tree at Man Mo TempleOrnate door in Man Mo TempleMan Mo Temple interior famous for incense coils which burn for weeksView of incense coils in Man Mo TempleMid-day worshippers at Man Mo TempleMan Mo Temple altarApproaching MTR train, all air conditioned and clean throughout the day and nightOnly tourists ride the MTR without looking at their cell phones
Visits to gardens, temples, a famous dim sum restaurant, the tallest building in Hong Kong, and the Temple Street Night Market
Exhibit in wooden architecture museum at Nan Lian Garden in Diamond HillExhibit in wooden architecture museum at Nan Lian Garden in Diamond HillPavilion of Absolute Perfection at Nan Lian GardenInteresting rock formation at Nan Lian GardenNan Lian GardenWater falls and water wheel in Nan Lian Garden300 year old bonsai at Nan Lian GardenBeautiful chain gutter drain at Nan Lian GardenSam and Julia in front of Chi Lin Nunnery at Nan Lian GardenChi Lin NunneryChi Lin NunneryView from Steps of Chi Lin NunneryPavilion of Absolute Perfection in Nan Lian GardenNan Lian GardenNan Lian Garden sun dialWong Tai Sin TempleWong Tai Sin TempleWong Tai Sin Temple koi pondApliu Street Electronics MarketApliu Street Electronics MarketInauspicious entrance to Michelin Star restaurant, Tim Ho WanTim Ho Wan dim sum restaurant, least expensive Michelin Star restaurant in the worldHar gow (steamed shrimp dumplings) at Tim Ho WanDim sum at Tim Ho WanSky100 offers spectacular views of Hong Kong from 100th floor of world's tenth tallest building, the International Commerce CentreVictoria Harbor and Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Terminal from 100th floor Sky100View of Victoria Harbor entrance from Sky100View of Yau Ma Tei harbor typhoon shelter in West Kowloon from Sky100View of Mong Kok and beyond from Sky100Famous Temple Street Night MarketTemple Street Night MarketTemple Street Night MarketTemple Street Night MarketBeckoning cats and other souvenirs at Temple Street Night MarketTemple Street Night MarketElevated view of street market
Day trip to Shenzhen China nextdoor to Hong Kong with a population of 17,000,000 and the reputation of being the Silicon Valley of China
View of Shenzhen China, very modern mainland city that grew from 50,000 people in 1980 to 17 million nowOur Shenzhen native tour guide, CiCi,.Downtown Shenzhen115 floor Ping An Finance Center in Shenzhen is 4th tallest building in the worldBullet shaped Kohn-Pedersen-Fox headquarters in ShenzhenA train station in ShenzhenYear round flowers along highwaysSplendid China Folk Village in ShenzhenSplendid China Folk Village in ShenzhenSplendid China Folk Village in ShenzhenSplendid China Folk Village in ShenzhenSplendid China Folk Village in ShenzhenSplendid China Folk Village in ShenzhenSplendid China Folk Village in ShenzhenSplendid China Folk Village in ShenzhenFestival parade at Splendid China Folk Village in ShenzhenFestival parade at Splendid China Folk Village in ShenzhenFestival parade at Splendid China Folk Village in ShenzhenFestival parade at Splendid China Folk Village in ShenzhenVisit to jade factory/culture center in ShenzhenBeautiful lobby of Shangr-La Hotel in Central ShenzhenFirst course dim sum during elegant lunch at 5-star Shangri-La Hotel in ShenzhenApartment towers in ShenzhenWaiting in line to enter Shenzhen MuseumCultural exhibit in Shenzhen MuseumShenzhen Museum exhibit of Confusian school during dynasty era of ChinaShenzhen Museum display of marriage traditionsShezhen Museum display of boy celebrating first birthday in traditional wayShenzhen Museum of children greeting grandparents on parent's wedding anniversary in dynasty eraShenzhen Museum exhibit of bride's transportation to wedding ceremonyShenzhen Museum exhibit of Deng Xiaoping who oversaw creation of city of Shenzhen in 1979 and opened China to the western economic worldExhibit commending workers who built Shenzhen, especially the women workers who arrived by truckloadShenzhen Museum exhibit celebrating the workers who built Shenzhen from a fishing village to a modern city in a few years
Sunday afternoon exploration of Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Museum of Maritime History, and IFC Mall
Family photo at Victoria Harbor Avenue of StarsStatue of Hong Kong's most famous movie star, Bruce Lee, on Avenue of StarsSam with statue of Hong Kong's most famous cartoon pig, McDull, on Avenue of StarsStatue of Anita Mui, Hong Kong singer and actress dubbed "Madonna of the East" after performance in LondonChinese junk and harbor tour boat, Aqua Luna II, on Victoria HarborSam and Julia in front of monument commemorating 2005 Beijing Olympics for which Hong Kong hosted the equestrian events, monument in the shape of the Olympic torchThe Clock Tower, only remaining portion of the Kowloon station of the Kowloon-Canton Railway located at Tsim Sha Tsui waterfrontStar FerryStar Ferry Terminal View of International Commerce Centre from Star Ferry leaving Tsim Sha TsuiTwo Star Ferry Co. ferries crossing Victoria Harbor as viewed from Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, oldest ferry operation in Honng KongHong Kong Museum of Maritime HistoryCeramic and bronze boat model on display at the Hong Kong Museum of Maritime HistoryModel of Chinese sailing ship in Hong Kong Museum of Maritime HistoryDisplay of Chinese furniture made for export to Europe at the Hong Kong Museum of Maritime HistoryLighthouse Fresnel lens on display at the Hong Kong Museum of Maritime HistoryView of pier and Hong Kong Island skyline from Hong Kong Museum of Maritime HistoryMulti-level, glassy overpass Apple Store at IFC Mall crowded with customersInterior of IFC MallView of Victoria Harbor from atrium of IFC MallIFC Tower with 88 floors is second tallest building in Hong KongSam and Julia enjoying Steak Shack hamburgers on terrace of IFC MallThousands of immigrant workers, almost entirely Islamic women from Southeast Asian countries, meet on covered walkways of Mong Kok MTR station to share meals, games, and conversation on their day offThousands of Post-It note messages protesting changes related to eventual Chinese absorption of Hong Kong, posted at Mong Kok MTR station
Trip to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Museum, Aqua Luna harbor tour, and Stanley Market
Central Mid-Levels Escalators, world's largest outdoor escalator system provides easier access to crossing streets in steep part of Hong Kong Island, approximately half mile long series of escalatorsCentral Mid-Levels Escalators, world's largest outdoor escalator system provides easier access to crossing streets in steep part of Hong Kong Island, approximately half mile long series of escalatorsCentral Mid-Levels Escalators, world's largest outdoor escalator system provides easier access to crossing streets in steep part of Hong Kong Island, approximately half mile long series of escalatorsCentral Mid-Levels Escalators, world's largest outdoor escalator system provides easier access to crossing streets in steep part of Hong Kong Island, approximately half mile long series of escalatorsDr. Sun Yat-Sen MuseumDr. Sun Yat-Sen Museum housed in Kom Tong Hall in Central Hong KongBust of Sun Yat-Sen, first president of Republic of China, who married the daughter of Sam's great-great grandfather Burke's Chinese roommate at Vanderbilt Divinity School in the 1880sOrnate fireplace in Dr. Sun Yat-Sen MuseumStatue of Sun Yat-Sen as medical student in Hong Kong prior to the overthrow of the last dynastyAqua Luna, harbor tour boat in style of Chinese junkView of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from deck of Aqua LunaAqua Luna on Victoria HarborJulia relaxing on the Aqua LunaAqua Luna barAqua Luna bar view of ship's bowView of Victoria Harbor from deck of the Aqua LunaCaptain of the Aqua Luna steers ship toward the Central district ferry terminalIconic red sail of Aqua LunaSam and Julia disembark from Aqua Luna after harbor tourDouble decker bus transportation through Central district of Hong Kong on the way to StanleyView from top deck of double decker bus in Central Hong Kong on the way to Stanley on southside of Hong Kong IslandView of skyscrapers from double decker bus in Central Hong KongStanley MarketStanley MarketSam bargains for tee shirts in Stanley MarketStanley MarketStanley BayStanley waterfrontStanley waterfrontDelicious meal at Ocean Rock Restaurant in StanleyRepulse Bay, southside of Hong Kong IslandFully loaded MTR train on the way back to Royal Plaza Hotel in Mong Kok
Day trip to Macau via TurboJET Ferry
Sam ready for breakfast on the TurboJET Ferry from Hong Kong to Macau, former Portguese colony, now like Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of People's Republic of ChinaLots of boat traffic between Hong Kong and MacauView of Macau Tower as ferry approaches MacauAnother TurboJET Ferry leaving Macau for Hong KongMuseum of MacauMuseum of MacauExotic Grand Lisboa Hotel & Casino in MacauView from fortress in MacauFacade of St. Paul's Catholic Cathedral in Macau built in early 1600s and destroyed by fire in 1835, stone facade built by Japanese Christian exiles was in front of a wooden sanctuary which burnedRear of the facade of St. Paul's Catholic Cathedral in MacauView of Macau streets from front of St. Paul'sSteps leading to St. Paul's facadeNarrow streets of old MacauSam and Julia in old MacauSenado Square in MacauPortuguese tiles in MacauExhibit of paintings of pandas on display in MacauSenado Square in MacauHistoric St. Dominic's Catholic Church near Senado Square established in 1587 by Spanish Dominican priests sent from MexicoSenado SquareJorge Alvares, Portuguese explorer and founder of Macau, was first European to reach ChinaLunch at 360 Restaurant atop Macau TowerDessert buffet at Macau Tower 360 RestaurantSam and Julia checking out the glass floor at the top of the Macau TowerView from top of Macau TowerView of exotic Grand Lisboa Hotel & Casino from Macau TowerMassive construction underway in Zhuhai China across waterway from Macau TowerSam and the glass floor at Macau TowerSands Casino in MacauTurboJet Ferry back to Hong Kong from MacauFifty-five kilometer Zhuhai-Macau-Hong Kong Bridge opened in 2018 at cost of 18 billion US$ is the longest ocean crossing bridge in the worldTurboJET Ferry overtakes small container vesselTan Tian "Giant" Buddha on Lantau Island mountaintop as seen from ferry on way back to Hong KongLast night stop at MOKO Mall attached to our hotel
A purchased photo from Sky100, the observation deck on the 100th floor of the International Commerce Centre in the West Kowloon district of Hong Kong, with the iconic panorama of Victoria Harbor behind us...what a remarkable place!
Summer 2019 we embarked on an extraordinary trip to Hong Kong. The trip was to celebrate Sam's graduation from high school, to unwind before his start at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and to go where none of us had been. Julia's great grandfather William Burke spent 56 years in Sunkiang, now part of Shanghai (1887-1943) as a Methodist missionary, and one of his sons, Gordon Burke, became a US Consul to Hong Kong in the 1930s.

Our primary destination, Hong Kong, ceased to be a British colony in 1997 and was nearing the midpoint of a 50-year agreement  to operate quasi-autonomously as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China. We will forever remember Hong Kong, and we are thankful beyond words for opportunities to see "The Pearl of the Orient" in its full glory.
Hong
Kong
July 2019
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