Hong Kong Part II- Recluses, Junks and Street Food

 My second day in HK started with a walking tour of Central, which was interesting and informative.  Apparently 2 of the former directors of the original HK bank- HBSC- thought it would be a good idea if they could remembered as the lion type managers that they were and so had these famous lion statues placed in front of the bank HQ-

Better than fancy stationary, I think.  Interesting that these huge buildings use bamboo scaffolding- 

It is hard to capture in pictures but Hong Kong has such incredible energy and dynamism-

My afternoon took me across the harbor on the famous Star Ferry to Kowloon, the working heart of Hong Kong.  The Star Ferry has been in continuous operation since about 1860, but recently their prices have skyrocketed from $3HK to $HK (or about 50 cents USD for seniors).  

In Kowloon, I decided to pop in to the HK Art Museum where they had an exhibit on medieval (Ming and Qing dynasties) Chinese Caligraphy.  Apparently, most of these famous art works were created by recluses who had to determine where and how they would live in the world and, importantly, how they might navigate changes in emperors (i.e. regime change), as many were employed by the imperial court.  Evidently,  there were different types of recluses-

The exhibition had some advice for these recluses (or perhaps party hacks) in times of regime change-

Apparently not everyone qualifies or succeeds but My favorite type of recluse was this one-

Takes real skill and training to be a good imposter recluse 

The museum was huge and quite interesting overall.  And most importantly, free.  Not nothing in expensive Homg Kong  

Kowloon is grittier than HK Island, though it does not feel at all dangerous.  Unsurprisngly, HK feels quite clean and safe . Kowloon has lively street markets with lots of different (and delicious) Chinese and other street food-

One place even had plastic forks.  I ate there 2x.  

I also booked an evening cruise on Hong Kong harbor on a genuine ancient Chinese Junk- 

I generally try and find authentic traditional activities and think I succeeded with the Junk.  I was amazed at how they were able to turn it into the wind under sail power without any loss of speed or to back down quickly as they approached their mooring.  I did notice some diesel smoke from other vessels in the vicinity, but that did not really detract from the authentic Junk experience. 

The view from the harbor, though different from the Peak, was just amazing.  Hong Kong is quite the city.  A feast for the senses really. While I have been to other stunning and beautiful cities- Sydney, Capetown, Rio- I have never seen anything like it.  

Maybe subtle it isn’t but still just jaw dropping- 

For my last activity I had lunch at a famous noodle place in Cental.  These popular places draw big lines as their seating is tiny. So they fill tables family style with whoever is line who can fit  Being solo had advantages as often there was only one empty place ar a table so you essentially go to the front of the line  That was how I met 3 young travelers from Taiwan here on vacation   Sadly I forgot to take a photo but it was very fun  Conversation by Google translate