www.jacek-traveler2.blogspot.com
- it's my new blog. I added "2" in adress to underline chronology of my travels and descriptions. In this blog we can expect new adventures which are not connected with Italy and finished Erasmus. Moreover new posts won't be added systematically but will depend on the future trips.
Enjoy the reading! ;)
Why in "my" english?
There are several reasons...
First - Maybe the best solution to make short my posts will be writing in english? I hope but mostly of these who complain for long texts speak only polish so now - english will be bigger problem for them ;p Now for this people is time to use translation which is avaialbe on the right side of blog.
Next reason is reading my blog for a large number of non-polish firends and in this way blog will be more usefull for future travelers.
Third and the most important reason is to improve my english and to show other that even bad english can be read and understand for other. If YOU notice some mistakes, bad use words, not appriopriate tense please write me in comment below post, e-mail (jacek.traveler@gmail.com) or wherever you want and correct me. It will be very usefull for me and in this way I will transform MY DIALECT of English for normal English :D Thanks :**
Let's start!
Why Hong Kong and Taiwan?
Together with standard dance team: Lotos Jantar we were invited to take part in WDSF world DanceSport games 2013 in Kaohsiung (Taiwan) which held on 16th of September.
One of the biggest dance event which is equivalent of the Olympic Games. There were over 700 dancers from all over the world.
We get there in 25 hours including 12 hours break in Hong Kong. Owing to this fact we had a lot of time to visit the city. Below scheme of our flights:
Warsaw -(Finnair)- Helsinki -(Finnair)- Hong Kong -(Dragonair)-Taipei and by bus to Kaohsiung
return way the same like above ;)
Together with standard dance team: Lotos Jantar we were invited to take part in WDSF world DanceSport games 2013 in Kaohsiung (Taiwan) which held on 16th of September.
One of the biggest dance event which is equivalent of the Olympic Games. There were over 700 dancers from all over the world.
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| Standard Formation - LOTOS Jantar during competition 16.09.13 |
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| inside The main stadium for the Games 2013 |
We get there in 25 hours including 12 hours break in Hong Kong. Owing to this fact we had a lot of time to visit the city. Below scheme of our flights:
Warsaw -(Finnair)- Helsinki -(Finnair)- Hong Kong -(Dragonair)-Taipei and by bus to Kaohsiung
return way the same like above ;)
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| Flag of Chinese Taipei Olympic Games |
Finally we took the third place ;-)
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| With my dance partner Ka-sia! :D |
Hong Kong
香港
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| nNational flag of HK |
The full official name is "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China", is on of the two, next is Macau.
Nowadays Hong Kong is a city-state which continues to enjoy a high degree of autonomy even after its return to China. Is described in legal way as a "high degree of autonomy as a special administrative region in all areas except defence and foreign affairs". What is interesting, residents from mainland China do not have the right of abode in Hong Kong.
The territory's population in 2011 is 7.07 million. Is huge number as for the fact that only less than 25% of the territory's landmass is developed, and about 40% of the remaining land area is reserved as country parks and nature reserves.
Life expectancy in Hong Kong is 79 years for males and 85 years for females as of 2009, making it one of the highest life expectancies in the world.
History
Hong Kong became a colony of the British Empire after the First Opium War (1839–42). This time period greatly influenced the current culture of Hong Kong which is noticeable also nowadays.
In 1898 Britain obtained a 99-year lease of Lantau Island and the adjacent northern lands, which became known as the New Territories. This territory has remained unchanged to the present.
On 1 July 1997 the transfer of sovereignty from United Kingdom to the PRC (People's Republic Of China) occurred, officially ending 156 years of British colonial rule. Hong Kong became China's first special administrative region for at least 50 years beyond the 1997 handover.
Under the principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has a different political system from mainland China. In such a way could spread international policy and invite foreing companies to cooperation.
Financial policy
As one of the world's leading international financial centres, Hong Kong has a major capitalist service economy characterised by low taxation and free trade. The currency - Hong Kong dollar - is the eighth most traded currency in the world. Hong Kong has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world!
currency exchange : 1Euro (E) = 9,55 Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
so 1 zloty (zł) = 0,5 HKD
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| www.banknotes.com |
Below one of the most beautifull banknotes which I have ever seen! Made of plastic, durable, colourfull with transparent spot! mmmm ;))
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| Jacek-traveler photo :D |
As of 2010 Hong Kong is the eighth most expensive city for expatriates. Hong Kong is ranked fourth in terms of the highest percentage of millionaire households, behind Switzerland, Qatar, and Singapore with 8.5 percent of all households owning at least one million US dollars.
Geography
The territory's Hong Kong 1,104 km2 area consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and over 200 offshore islands, of which the largest is Lantau Island.
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| The map with Lantau Island where is situated HK Airport |
Most of the territory's urban development exists on Kowloon peninsula, along the northern edge of Hong Kong Island, and in scattered settlements throughout the New Territories. Beetwen them is spread very good train connection or "The Star Ferry" service, founded in 1888 which operates two lines across Victoria Harbour. (between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon).
Though it is situated just south of the Tropic of Cancer, Hong Kong has a humid subtropical climate. Summer is hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms, and warm air coming from the southwest. Summer is when typhoons are most likely. Winters are mild and usually start sunny, becoming cloudier towards February.
During our trip through the city really was able to fell very high humidity (92%!) and lack of oxygen in the air, which seemed to stay in place...
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| HK's street |
Cross-cultural heritage
Hong Kong is frequently described as a place where "East meets West", reflecting the culture's mix of the territory's Chinese roots with influences from its time as a British colony. Was industrialized and developed in all aspects from its economy to its health care system.Till now remain Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Hong Kong Basic Law which is based on Common law of England , education system,
car drive on the left and also signs displaying both Chinese and English. Everything is common throughout the territory.
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| Hong Kong Tramways, which has served the territory since 1904. The same are double-decker buses. |
Airport and... what's next?
Hong Kong International Airport - one of the world's busiest airports in terms of international passenger and cargo movement. Is situated in Lantau Island.
Is spread good connection from airport by Mass Transit Railway (MTR) - is the rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong.
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| MTR system map and fares |
more information about fares tickets:
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/fares_tickets/index.html
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| inside the Airport Express Train |
Taxi
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| HK's taxis |
Cultural Events (annual)
-THE TAI HANG FIRE DRAGON - 18-20 Sept. 2013 ( http://www.taihangfiredragon.hk/home.htm ,we can read: " The Fire Dragon is altogether 220 feet long with its body divided into 32 segments...")
-MID-AUTUMN LANTENR CARNIVALS 2013 - 19-21 Sept. 2013
details and other events you can find on Leisure and Cultural Services department website: http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Entertainment/EntertainmentOffice/en/about/index.html
Sight Seeing
- Mid-Levels escalator - In Central andWestern district the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world
-Happy Valley Racecourse ( http://www.happyvalleyracecourse.com/ )
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| Jumbo Kingdom (www.jumbo.com.hk) |
-Ocean Park ( http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/home/ )
- Jumbo Kingdom - a modern complex of dining, sightseeing and cultural attractions. (http://www.jumbo.com.hk/eng/main.php )
-Repulse Bay - beautiful beach
- Ngong Ping 360 - cable car to Buddha ( http://www.np360.com.hk/en/ )
- Tian Tan Buddha - is one of the five large Buddha bronze statues in China, is 34 metres
-Tai O - fishing Village
- Ma Wan Park - gives visitors a unique opportunity to explore a full-size replica of the biblical Noah's Ark and other theme park activities (http://www.mawanpark.com/eng/home.php)
- The Tsing Ma Bridge - It is the world's ninth-longest span suspension bridge. Has a main span of 1,377 metres and a height of 206 m.
- Hong Kong Disneyland - http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage
The last two important points in sightseeing we visited personally...
- Man Mo Temple
Hong Kong's main religions are Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
XIXth century temple was builid mainly for the worship of God of Literature and God of Marital Arts. The Temple is a fine example of traditional Chinese vernacular architecture.
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| Icons of deities in the Man Mo Temple |
- Victoria Peak - with an altitude of 552 m it is the highest mountain on the island. We can reach 428m where is situated Sky Terrace (open 10am -11pm mon-fri / 8am -11pm sat-sun) form where is splendid view for all panorama of the city.
We got there with "The Peak Tram" - the first public transport system in Hong Kong. It provides vertical
rail transport between Central and Victoria Peak since 1888.
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| signs is both languages |
For adult, return ticket we paid 40HK$. If you want more details visit this website: http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/
Adventure starts in the begining of the rail. Slope of the train was almost vertical, we had problems with standing position. We were accompanied by one thought -What would happen if brakes break down?
...and finally the best moment to take picture and to realize greatness of the buildings...
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| Hong Kong's skyline is often regarded to be the best in the world. |
Architecture
Maybe only dates will illustrate modern style and beat records:
The International Commerce Centre - 484 m high, 118 floors, the tallest building in Hong Kong and the third tallest in the world.
In Hong Kong are 1,223 skyscrapers, which puts the city at the top of world rankings. More people in Hong Kong live or work above the 14th floor than anywhere else on Earth, making it the world's most vertical city.
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| source: www.forum.skyscraperpage.com |
I had expected this kind of buildings which so far I saw only in the Internet or movies. Everything is the same. Very tall and impressive.
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| Two largest sky tower in Hong Kong |
Also the lack of space caused demand for denser constructions, which developed the city to a centre for modern architecture...
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| diversity of the city.. |
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"The Center" - 346m, 73 floors
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Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. I didn't feel that. I had fought before departure that I will meet masses of people and won't be possible to freely wolking. Only in the main part of Kowloon was possible to see crowd. Maybe in HK Island or New District everybody is hidden in skyscrapers...
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| zone Tsim Sha Tsui Station in Kowloon |
Even in new district feel climate of China. Polish authorities rather will not allow to maintain this kind of shops with food..
...but there is not dirty. Every pavement and shop's, bank's windows are cleaning all the time.
Relatively normal grocery products were very expensive. For 0,5l water about 1E? -it is not chinese price...
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| local shops |
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| HK (Kowloon) - Haiphong Road |
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| Love you... |
Before departure it wasn't so much time to prepare all details about HK, what is to visit and what was happend in the history. Even if we all expected chinese style and a lot of skyscraper we were a little bit shocked. Another way is to see on the picture and another to see on my own. Particularly during night.
I tasted a little bit Hong Kong but I am still hungry. Hungry of the rest, undiscovered places and hidden cheap markets...:-)
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| Bartek and me after quick interview on the HK's street :D |
P.S Description about Taiwan will be in the next post. Soon! ;-)
uffff ;D Thank youu and see you soon!
Best regards actually from Elbląg !! :) :*
Bardzo mi się podoba, w szczególności dlatego też, że zmusiłam się do lekkiej powtórki z angielskiego :)) bez użycia translatora w prawym górnym rogu ;) Thank You Paweł :)
ReplyDeletei love it!! <3 :)) i like how its good in both pictures and writing~ a lot of details and introductions, great for the people who have never been to Hong Kong ^^ and most importantly, its in English! :)) hahaha! thanks for such a nice blog! looking foward to the next post about Taiwan :))) haha!
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