Birthday! A day earlier than the USA. So does that mean two days of celebration? Why not! How often do you get to celebrate being 85? Early bus tour of the city. First, a tram ride up to Victoria Peak for a 360-degree view of the city and harbor. Tour guide was very informative. The tramway opened in 1888. Luckily, it has been modernized. View was spectacular. It was strange seeing the communist flag flying. We had really good weather all day. Then we bussed to Stanley Market. Some people shopped but we ate lunch at a restaurant by the water. Chinese food of course. The restaurant had a great dragon there! After lunch, went on a sampan ride around the harbor. Got pictures of ourselves with a coolie hat. Saw lots of yachts and also fishing boats that house fishing families. Lots of fun! Saw a lot of the city. When we got back to town, our tour guide took Colinda and me to a wholesale jewelry store. Colinda was waiting until Hong Kong to buy pearls. The store was on the third floor and had a lot of security. When we got in, we realized why. So much beautiful jewelry. I bought a pair of jade earrings with good luck Chinese characters. Colinda got a gorgeous pair of earrings and a pearl necklace. They gave each one of us a fresh water pearl necklace! We were treated like royalty. The manager escorted us to the nearest busy street, hailed a taxi, and gave the driver instructions. We went back to the ship and found our room had been decorated with birthday greetings. A bottle of wine and cards from the captain and activity director too. We tossed the packages in the beds and left the ship to zip out to go across the bay on the Star ferry. This is the oldest ferry running in Hong Kong. WeGot back just in time to get a quick meal at the buffet.
Then, up to the top deck to see the eight o’clock light show that happens every night. Very beautiful. Beams of light coming from buildings and on the buildings. I took a film in my phone The captain delayed leaving until after the show. Ended the night at the floor show that featured all the performers. This is the beginning of another leg of the trip. We now have a full ship. 300 ish Americans and about 20 other countries represented. Lots of languages being spoken. Forgot to tell you that a group of high school students stopped me after lunch. They had an assignment to interview people to practice their English. Their English was halting so I thought they were beginners. After answering their questions I asked them if anyone was having a birthday today. One of the six said she would have one in two days. I explained about having my 85th today. I asked her if I could sing to her. She agreed. I sang my birthday song to her. Her friends got it on her phone. When I walked on they were squealing and jumping around So…. really had a terrific day!!!!!!
Where in the world is Dalna 