Final Sunday Part Two: The Morning Trail Hike at the Peak

On our last Sunday in Hong Kong we took one last trip to the Peak.

First we had some good-byes at church, ECC Kowloon.

We didn't plan on it, but it did end up being the kids last day to ride the ferry

This is has to be the best photo I have ever taken from the ferry.

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The Peak is some of the most expensive real estate in the world.  It is where the British first settled when they took over and was home to all the governors before Hong Kong was handed back over to China.

We didn't take the tram for a couple of reasons. Sunday afternoon with great weather, usually means an hour or more waiting in line, second reason was this was the day we went to the Police Museum. We needed to take the bus to get there.

Photos from other times we did the hike.

The last time around

The kids have been boycotting normal photos lately.

There are lots of interesting trees and flowers to see as you make a way around.

The hike is a nice way to escape the tourist at the shops, it is an easy walk for families.

Final Sunday Part One: The Police Museum

Every year a listing is published of all the museums.  It was a goal for me to visit as many as I could.  I didn't quite make it to all of them, like the food museum (by appointment only) but on the list was the Police Museum.

 What can you find at the museum?
 1. General historical information about the police force.
 2.  Gallery featuring the inside world and paraphernalia about the Triads ( Hong Kong mafia).
 3. Replica of a heroin factory.

 Why did I want to go? As useful as learning how heroin is made, my main reason was of course to gawk at  the head of the last tiger shot in Hong Kong.  I am not sure if this is disputed, but this tiger and a photo to prove it, was shot in the 1950's.
The tiger had been hunted after killing someone.
 Not only are there no more tigers in Hong Kong, the species is dwindling fast in the world.  They are valuable commodities on the black market, making them still sought after by poachers.
I was disappointed by no photos being allowed, and almost rebelled, like any good Chinese person does with their cell phones and flash photography at Disney shows.  But I am not Chinese and did not want to be the arrogant, white American who ignores local laws.
I don't know much about taxidermy, and the life of original teeth. While fake eyes, I always assume are a given, are fake teeth? Maybe they were real.  The fur I will take their word at being real. I am a positive person and I felt a thrill at seeing it and felt the hike up the steps was worth it.

 The naming of where we lived in Hong Kong is Tai Po.
 Tai Po means big steps. It is said, that the name came from when people had to take big steps to get home fast and stay clear of the tigers.
 I am glad we didn't have to worry about being mauled on our way to the MTR, but I do find it sad that the tiger is disappearing in the wild.

The uniforms displayed what an Indian, Chinese and British officer would wear in the early days of British rule. Primarily distinguished by their hats. The Indian would wear a turban, and a  Chinese officer were wear the typical conical shaped hat.

Here is me obeying laws and settling for stock photos and outside pics.

We had to take bus No. 15, this is the bus you take to the Peak, when you don't want to ride the tram.

Overall impression:  You have to ascend some steps to get the museum and it is small, but it does give some nice history that isn't covered in other museums. I especially liked the aerial photo on display of the Kowloon Walled City shortly before it was demolished.

  

Everyone has their "I heart HK" or Starbucks Hong Kong mugs, but I will cherish my Hong Kong police museum cup.   I also got a nice postcard collection with a photograph of the different police officers and the tiger, after it had been captured. 

If you have a weekend in HK, maybe skip it, but if you are going to be here awhile, take the slow way up the Peak sometime and stop by. 

Family Visits

Shane and Shanda ( Nathan's younger sister and brother) came to visit us for two weeks. It was so great to have family here. I was feeling a little spoiled having the Annis visit followed right after by a Sweeney visit. It would be nice if we could have people come more often make us miss home less. We kept Shane and Shanda very busy doing all the tourist stuff and then some. The kids had people to carry them around, play games with them and some extra hugs aside from mom and dad.
Shane had a cantonese lesson from a very friendly taxi driver. That amused us all especially the kids- they have never heard a driver be so chatty and interactive. I was able to experience three new events, one that was on my list of things to do before we leave Hong Kong. The Peak at night, Dim sum and the other thing was to catch the laser light show while hearing the music play. That one wasn't on my list but hey it was something I had never done before.
Nathan took them hiking and they did the extremely difficult Pat Sin Leng hike. They got really burnt but I think they appreciated the views.

Mish Mash S&S from outypants on Vimeo.

Last Day out with S&S from outypants on Vimeo.

The Peak First Time

The pollution in Hong Kong is better than it used to be. Since all factories moved across the border. That being said it is hit or miss whether or not you will have a good view from the Peak.

Our traffic on the way back to the MTR.

Tram up the Peak is fairly tranquil and uneventful. Taking the bus down was a little more entertaining. The bus goes pretty fast and you feel like several times that you are going to ride off the cliff or hit something.