Hong Kong was Great

Hello One and All,

Spent two exhausting days touring Hong Kong. There are 8 million people in this world. They live in high risers that reach for the sky. It is a busy world with people running everywhere. Many look like they just came out of surgery with their masks covering their mouths and nose. There is so much to describe soI will just mention a few sites visited. Went to the Peak (twice); road their escalators, which are all over the city; went to the Stanley Market; the mid-night market; the Pennisula Hotel; the antique district; visited a taoist temple; had lunch at the Heritage Hotel; had a peking duck dinner; road the star ferry a few times; visited the finacial district and the IFC tower (International Financial Center) tallest building in Hong Kong, etc, etc.

Hong Kong consists of over 200 islands. Central, which is where the business district is and the mountains that are covered with condos to the sky and then there is the Kowloon section where the shopping takes place. There are malls here that rival Short Hills - even bigger. One designer after another, I was worn out just walking through the area. Then their is Nathan Street lined with more designer shops. they actually repeat shops with the same designer.

There is only one terminal for ships to dock, with only one spot. It is strange for such a large city. As a result the Queen Elizabeth was docked the first day until 4 am, then we moved and dropped anchor in the harbor. What a trip it was from the ship to the shore by motorized vessels, which they called junks, but really are ferries.

We left Hong Kong around 6pm and are now approaching Viet Nam. We have two ports to visit here over a two day period. I have a strange feeling as I approach this country. While at sea yesterday we had a lecture from a retired professor from Old Dominion, Va. She was thorough in giving us an historic background on the country. She explained the terrain, the industry, the people, their history of being colonized by foreign powers etc. She mentioned the war, we the USA were involved and looking at what the people of the country had been through I wonder why? Just a question, nothing more -

Today I am escorting a tour to give us highlights of Nha Trang. This part of the country is considered a resort community, right on the water with resort hotels etc. We will also visit the Long San Pagoda, Xam Bong Bridge, Po Nagar Cham Tower and so forth. It will be a very informative day for me.

The weather will be warm, 86 and I am afraid humid. Hope the bus is air conditioned. Take care will be in touch after Viet Nam. I should know by then where I am off to next. This is a fantastic experience. one I would never want to trade.

Will be in touch.

Bill