Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2015 | Page 24

TRAVEL

Special appeal of
T

the centre of Hong Kong
o mark my 60th
Island which was beautifully
birthday a few years
presented, clean and tidy.
ago, my wife presented
However, what she did not
me with a special birthday
appreciate is that is was very
present, five days in Hong
much situated within the
Kong.
'red light district' and upon
It was a destination that
venturing out of the hotel we
had a special appeal as I
were regularly offered more
envisaged it to be quite
By Terence
than directions to food and
different to other destinations.
Willey
drink!
It did not disappoint and it
We decided to plan our trip
was clear that, despite the
to take in as much of the local
British Colonial influences
scenery and points of interest as possible
from days gone by, it had very much
in the short time available. I was keen
retained and developed an Asian culture
to see if it was possible to undertake a
that demonstrated a desire to become
day excursion into China. Surprisingly
westernised, while retaining Chinese
such a trip was available, travelling to
traditions.
Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton,
My wife booked a four–star hotel in

24

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"My wife was invited
to have a photo taken
with a bear. To my
amazement a large
black bear, six-feet
high, was brought out
on a collar and chain
for her photo."

via Kowloon. The day began by leaving
Hong Kong Island harbour by fast jet and
a coach was waiting on the mainland. The
trip took four hours, stopping off at a local
zoo, children’s school and for a traditional
Chinese lunch.
Our zoo visit was unforgettable, as there
was extensive interaction with several
animals without any regard to health and
safety. My wife was invited to have a photo
taken with a bear. To my amazement a
large black bear, six-feet high, was brought
out on a collar and chain for her photo
and before leaving was presented with an
embossed photo plate for a small charge.
The zoo was very clean and well kept.
On route to a local primary school we
passed through what was described by