We dined a little lighter this morning. Dan tried congee with beef. I thought the French Toast stuffed with figs and Nashia pears topped with cinnamon honey yoghurt was more my style. Suitably fed we started out again for the Star ferry terminal.
This time we actually got there. The ticket lady was very helpful and gave me instructions in using the ticket machine stressing that I should always read my destination carefully in case someone else had entered information and then walked away. She then escorted Dan through the gate personally as he is a senior and free. I succeeded in getting my token and then locking myself on the wrong side of the fence. She came back and walked me through personally too.
It is a very short trip across the bay and certainly a historical one. We landed at the terminal in minutes and found a wonderful mix of old and new. There were market tables set up in the entrance with fresh vegetables and fruit. One table had a variety of marvellous mushrooms. The shapes, colours and textures made a wonderful sight. The young lady marketed them well too with descriptions and instructions in multiple languages on well designed cards.
In the Central district, you never need to go to street level and walk out of doors. It seems most buildings are connected by walkways above street level - essentially connecting mile after mile of expensive shopping arcades. I found a light shell I really would enjoy wearing - a pale peach creation so soft it could be silk. I went in to check the size and price. 185,000 HK dollars which translates to 2,500.00 Canadian. I still don't have a rain jacket.
We decided to take the more historical and picturesque tram down Des Voeux Road to the Western Market. We managed to find a tram stop on the correct side of the road and climbed aboard finding space on the upper level. Standing room only for me, crouching room only for Dan. It did give us a better idea of the area than any subway and we were delivered right to the door of the market.
The first floor is a mixture of useful and tourist. The second floor was my goal - the fabric market. I went from stall to stall comparing wares and prices until I decided on my purchase - beautiful, richly coloured, pure silk brocade.
The third floor is another story. A beautiful ballroom serving dim sum lunch and wonderful dinners for anyone who wants to spend a little time gliding around the floor to a waltz or tango. It was closing time for the lunch crowd when we arrived so no dancing for us but we did get in on the Dim Sum.
Now we had time to explore and we walked the streets back toward Central. The streets are narrow with uneven sidewalks and little shops spilling out into the passage. So much to see. Dan was taken by a little printing shop the size of a good closet. Our goal was to find the start of the Mid-Levels escalator. Originally it connected the major residental roads of the mid levels with the old Central Market. Of course, it is above street level in the One IFC Mall. We did find it and began the 1/2 mile climb.
You are very close to the buildings on both sides separated by a tiny street on one side and a staircase on the other. Halfway, we stopped to see the old Jamia Mosque and then on again to the trendy cafes, bars and boutiques of SoHo. There is no view. Everything is blocked by masses of very high rise apartments. It is a vertical city. Once at the top it was too late in the day to continue so we got directions from a lovely lady walking her children home and headed down hill on foot. A short stroll through the zoo and gardens and we were back in the helter skelter of city streets.
We were glad to reach the walkway leading to the Star Ferry once again. It was time to head home and put our feet up!
It was quite late in the evening before we wandered a few blocks to Hing Fat for a Cantonese meal in more humble surroundings. Dan had to take me home before I fell asleep on the table! Good night all!
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