Repulse Bay...so not repulsive!

After spending the afternoon walking around the Stanley markets we thought Repulse Bay would be a lovely spot to chill out at for a while...and we were right.
It was only a 10 minute bus ride from Stanley (a lot of the buses from the Stanley terminus go to Repulse Bay, we just asked around and got on the first one to leave).
It was so nice to walk on sand, not the smooth sand we are used to, but still nice.
As for the water of the South China Sea - exhilarating.
Wish we had gotten here sooner.

Stanley

Stanley was on our itinerary when we were in Hong Kong last year but we never made
it...and we left it until Jordan's last full day in Hong Kong to get there this year.
We knew it was going to take a few hours to get there and I had read that the scenery from the bus was worth the trip.(6M bus) We were so over shopping and looked forward to a shop free day. Hah, as if. Jordan spent more money at Stanley markets than he had spent on the rest of the trip! He was very happy to get some gear for snow boarding and even managed to get some Asic shoes for his 'very big' feet.
The Stanley markets are not big and were fairly quiet when we were there and since they are geared towards tourists they stock sizes suitable for Westerners i.e. BIG.
After a couple of hours we headed back to the bus terminus ( a very short walk) to catch a bus to Repulse Bay.

We decided to head to the mid-level escalators, the longest series of under cover escalators in the world.
Joelle had fun going from one escalator to the next, and next and next...








After about 15 minutes we arrived at the top of the escalators, it was amazing to see how the hill sides have been developed with not an inch of land spared.
It was actually a few degrees cooler and that allowed for a lovely stroll to the zoo.
The zoo is very small with only a few animals but it is free and is a green haven amongst the hub bub of Central/Admiralty.







After the zoo we continued walking down to the park opposite the Government house building.




Just being near water is cooling in Hong Kong :)

Snoopy World - Shatin

As with most MTR stations in Hong Kong, Shatin has a shopping centre attached - you walk off the train and your in a huge shopping complex.

It didn't take Joelle long to memorise the route to 'Snoopy World'...





if you purchase anything in the centre, from a new car to a packet of gum, you get a free ride (for up tp four people) in the boat ride :)
Even after Disneyland and Ocean Park, Joelle still loved Snoopy World!

Forest Hill Pool

In hot, humid Hong Kong we managed to go to the pool only three times and I think they were the three coldest days we had in all of our five weeks here...

Unfortunately this photo doesn't do justice to the beautiful colour of these flowers which were in bloom alongside the pool.



Our little pool :)

Kowloon Walled City Park

We had been in Hong Kong a couple of days when we jumped on the MTR and headed to the Walled City Park in Kowloon.
Historically the Walled City was the domain of the Triad gangs, drug warlords and illegal dentists!




With such a dark past it is such a beautiful thing that this area is now such a tranquil place.





Joelle and I read a book about Jackie Pullinger and that is why I wanted to visit this area, I'm so glad we did.

The Happiest Place on Earth...

We were up and out early and travelled for 1 1/2hours to get to the home of Mickey and Minnie...Minnie very nicely came out to meet us.



Whilst Tigger was bouncing with joy at meeting Joelle.




The wait for most rides/attractions was at least 1/2 hour...Jordan kept himself occupied :)
These girls were lovely, Joelle commented on the girl in the foreground's ring and she took it off and gave it to Joelle!







Is it a surprise to anyone that Jordan beat all of us at the Buzz Lightyear shooting ride?



Joelle enjoyed taking part in the daily parade down Main Street...it was blazing hot so after the parade we enjoyed getting wet at one of the playgounds.




We finished the day with a light show and fireworks over the castle.
Then it was of to the R8 bus, followed by the E41 bus and the 275 bus and we were home before midnight!