Travel
down into the district of Yau Ma Ter and
Mong Kok purely to sample the street life
of everyday Hong Kong. I was fascinated
to note the thronging crowds all around
the street markets, which specialise in
an array of goods for sale, from Jade,
Goldfish, birds and flowers, to clothing
and bric-a-brac, and shops selling a
variety of other interesting ivory items
with almost every design of Mahjong Set
that you imagine.
Further down, we noted that there were
traditional Chinese shops specialising
in wedding attire and it was interesting
to witness the clear diversity of gifts and
fashion compared to the Western world.
The ‘Fountain Walk’ Shopping Centre
in Kowloon most closely resembled our
Western shopping centres and malls,
but with many goods not displaying any
specified price. I was not sure whether
this meant that a bargaining situation
was possible but I came to the decision
that this is a discussion you would have
with the numerous smartly dressed
young men and women assistants. I
think it was the extent of the personal
communication between assistant
and customer that prevailed almost
throughout the ‘Fountain Walk’ Shopping
Centre that made the experience
interesting and so different: not only did
they have time to talk to customers, but
were interested that we were English and
wanted to know more about us.
I could not help feeling that there was
a burning desire within most locals to
learn more about the western world and
to embrace it in their modernising times.
On our return we decided to pay the extra
dollars to go first class back on the Star
Ferry and the experience was like “chalk
and cheese” from the somewhat crowded
lower deck area with its unpleasant
smell of diesel. There was a modern
air conditioned room on the top deck,
naturally boasting the best position for
views of Victoria Harbour on our return to
Hong Kong Island.
If you ever make it to Hong Kong, then
don’t miss a trip on the Star Ferry across
Victoria Harbour which for me was a
place of sheer fascination and wonder.
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Further down, we noted
that there were traditional
Chinese shops specialising
in wedding attire and it
was interesting to witness
the clear diversity of gifts
and fashion compared to
the Western world.