4 mile visibility

Ahoy,

We hopped aboard the ferry today to go to Hong Kong Island. The Botanic Garden was first on our destinations because we heard about this trail up to Victoria Peak that starts form there. Wandering around, we stumbled upon the garden and entered through a nondescript gate. We figured the lush green part beyond this fence must be it. It's a pretty massive garden in the middle of the city. This was just the first of many natural encounters in an urban jungle. Despite the size, density, and sheer urbanity of Hong Kong, it's always amazing to me how you don't have to go very far to feel like you're not in it.

There was also a zoo. Most of the animals were awake and playing, which we felt were in large contrast to American zoos when they're usually asleep during the day. The most fascinating animal on display was the American raccoon. So exotic.

We followed some folks dressed like much more serious hikers than us up Old Peak Road. It was quite steep at the bottom and I was pretty displeased with that. Eventually we started passing people, which gave me the motivation to smoke more people up the road. The road was wide, paved, and tree lined. Oh, the modern conveniences of urban hiking. At the top, I was glad to have walked up because it looked like there was a major wait for the tram. Food was the next item so we stopped at a bakery and McDonald's. We ate American fast food over the most stellar view of Hong Kong. The RRS had been wanting processed American meat for a while so this was a long time coming. I'm always happy to get a toy.

We walked back down the road and eventually stumbled upon what we later determined to be Hong Kong park. It seemed there was another zoo in here, but it was dark now and the RRS didn't have his big boy pants on. At Causeway Bay, we both immediately remarked it looked the same as Mong Kok, where we were staying on Kowloon. After wandering and looking at shops, we selected a Chinese style barbeque house to have dinner. It was delicious.

We ferried it back to Kowloon and saw the skyline by night. Even more spectacular than during the day. And the ferry is so cheap.

fragrantly ported,
jt