Just returned from a short Hong Kong trip. Unlike previous trips I was able to move around on my own which included a hike to the hills known as Dragon Back as well as taking a public bus up Victoria Peak. The impression I walked away with from this visit is that "It is really great to be wealthy in Hong Kong". Those luxurious apartments and houses perched on the hills with such spectacular sea view easily stir envy. When hiking on Dragon Back (no easy feat for a non fit person like me ) I had to take several breaks. On one such break I overheard a Hong Konger pointing out to a sprawling house near the shore as belonging to Li Ka Shing (shown below). Its one thing to view the houses of the rich and famous on TV its quite another to see it with your very own eyes. No wonder Hong Kong ranks second to Monaco for the costliest prime residential property in the world. I felt that the difference in living comfort between the wealthy and the commoner is more stark and evident in Hong Kong then in Singapore (see contrast below). Just go for a hike or take a public bus uphill and you can marvel at the houses and apartments with the breath taking views. In Singapore we seldom pass those good class bungalow premises hidden in some forested area.
OK now on a more down to earth subject. The second take away I get from this trip is something more personal. See I am not a hiker and the Dragon Back hike would not have been possible had my husband not literally pulled me up the slopes paved with small rocks and stones. I was about to return by the same path after reaching the peak which I thought was already quite an accomplishment given the view. My husband and son were keen to carry on and I did not want to disappoint them. So after warning them I would be taking lots of break we continued. Fortunately we did because we reached hill tops which offer spectacular views of 2 bays on each side. The clear skies and the wind made the view more amazing and for the first time in quite awhile I appreciated my husband. I wondered at his absolute patience without a single complain and felt ashamed at all my short fuses with him. It is really not easy to be climbing uphill weighed down by the hand of another.
All in all this trip has been a feast for not only the stomach but for the eyes as well. Oh I almost forgot it is for the heart as well.
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