Hong Kong

It's easier getting around Kowloon, but more difficult on Hong Kong itself, because there are so many walkways to cross the street, which is great, but you don't always know how to get to the walkways.

Getting money was a challenge. I have a Bank of America card. I went to the Bank of America Tower, only to find out Bank of America left about 10 years ago. I had tried going to different banks, but they only change for customers, and the money changers only want cash! Anyway, someone was kind enough to call the hotline for me, and I found I cold get cash out of the Chinese Construction Bank. Because I had not used this card, it got blocked, but I used the app to verify it's me,  so I was finally able to get the money. I had been worried I would have been able to get to the airport to leave.

I took the Star Ferry. It doesn't go far, but it's dirt cheap $2.5 HK, which, at this writing, is about 32 cents. The reason to take it is to get to Hong Kong, and the views are spectacular.

I had dinner last night, a delicious chicken curry with rice dish. I had been so busy trying to get the money out that it's all I had to eat, and I splurged for a Starbucks coffee.  At dinner I must have been eating a little fast (I wasn't  shoveling it in) that a Chinese man came over and said "Eat more slowly, enjoy your life." He said it very nicely.

I'm off to Mongkuk today, which is in another part of Hong Kong, about an hour from here on the bus. This part is Chinatown - yes, there is a Chinatown within China. I am hoping to find semi precious beads to make jewelry with. I should get to see a nice junk of Hong Kong I've never seen. If it works out, I may go up to Victoria Peak to get a great view of the harbor. I have kept some money aside to be sure I can get back to the airport.

I am also hoping to take a ride on the antique junk in the 2 hour ride in the harbor. It has red sails that are lit up at night.