Hong Kong - Part 2

Day 7, Friday 27^th May

Thulani spent the day exploring Discovery Bay, where we live, on the Island of Lantau. Firstly, he took a stroll by the lake and waterfalls, next to Ryan’s and Oliver’s school. Then he ventured down to beach to enjoy the lovely sunshine.

Days 8 & 9, the weekend, 28-29^th May

Thulani has finally got around to experiencing some of the traditional sights of Hong Kong. He has been on so many kinds of Hong Kong transport this weekend: buses, ferries, taxis and trams. Firstly, he went up to Victoria Peak, to see the (normally) incredible view of the harbour, lined with all the skyscrapers and backed by mountains. Unfortunately, it was a hazy day so the view was not so good. To make up for the slightly disappointing view, Thulani took a ride in a rickshaw, with Derry, around the peak. He then rode on the incredibly steep funicular railway tram from the Peak down to Hong Kong Park in the busy Central area of Hong Kong Island. Rhys got some funny looks having a photograph with a teddy bear at his age!!

  

In Hong Kong Park, Thulani enjoyed the aviary, fish, waterfalls and tea museum. He then took in the sights and sounds of busy Central, on board a traditional tram. These trams are more than 100 years old  and they make a ding ding sound as they move along, hence why the locals call them the “Ding Ding Trams”.

Goodbye Thulani, we will surely miss you. We look forward to hearing all about your further adventures, as you travel around the globe. Have fun, take care and remember the Thomas Family!!

Thulani in Hong Kong - Part 1

Hong Kong is situated on the southeast coast of China at the mouth of the Pearl River facing the South China Sea. Covering an area of 1,104 square kilometres (425 square miles), the territory is made up of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. At the core is Victoria Harbour, which separates Hong Kong Island from Kowloon and beyond that, the New Territories that runs up to the boundary with Mainland China. As well as making up the bulk of Hong Kong's land mass, the New Territories also incorporates 262 outlying islands, including Lantau where the airport is located.  Despite its dense urban environment, about three quarters of Hong Kong's total area is countryside, including about 40% designated as country parks

History

The bustling city of Hong Kong was just a collection of fishing villages when claimed by Britain in 1842 following the First Opium War with China. This failed attempt by the Ching Dynasty to stop the British trading in opium led to Hong Kong being ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Nanking that year. The Kowloon Peninsula was handed over in 1860 and a 99-year lease on the New Territories, comprising the area north of Kowloon up to the Shenzhen River plus 235 outlying islands, was granted in 1898. Under the unique principle of 'One Country, Two Systems', Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty on 1 July 1997 as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. This arrangement allows Hong Kong to enjoy a high degree of autonomy, retaining its capitalist system, independent judiciary and rule of law, free trade and freedom of speech.

Hong Kong's magnificent harbour has been the key to its development as a trading port and entrepôt for China, progressing through an industrial era to become a leading financial and services centre in Asia. Culture and heritage are what sets Hong Kong apart from the rest of Asia – indeed the world. With over 100 years of colonial history and a largely Chinese population, Hong Kong is a unique fusion of Western and Eastern cultures where the old and the new live side by side. Its incense-filled temples, colonial buildings and glass-and-steel skyscrapers, along with its ancient traditions and lively festivals, have made Hong Kong a living culture experience

Weather

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct seasons. Typhoon season is May to November.

Languages

Cantonese is the Chinese dialect spoken by over 88% of the people in Hong Kong. However, English is widely used in the Government and by the legal, professional and business sectors as well as tourist areas. Since reunification with China in 1997, Mandarin, more commonly known as Putonghua – the official dialect of China, has gained in prominence and most locals can at least comprehend it to a certain degree. Chinese (Cantonese is widely spoken) and English are the official languages of Hong Kong. All official signs are bilingual (using traditional characters).

Day 1, Saturday 21^st May

We arrived home late on Saturday evening to a small package. Ryan (age 7) and Oliver (age 5) were so excited to open it and find Thulani inside. They have been tracking Thulani’s travels and eagerly awaiting his arrival. The boys have been taking it in turns as to whom Thulani sleeps with.

Day 2, Sunday 22^nd May

On Sunday we were due to take Thulani on a friend’s junk (traditional Hong Kong boat) to a beach with great waves for surfing, however, we awoke to heavy rains and thunderstorms so we quickly came up with a contingency plan. We all went bowling and then had lunch at one of our favourite restaurants, called Zaks. Thulani enjoyed playing with the 5 boys, especially the bowling.

Day 3, Monday 23^rd May

Oliver enjoyed showing Thulani his Lego Star Wars figures and Ryan read him a bedtime story, with “Storm” the husky.
  

Day 4, Tuesday 24th May

Ryan had his friend, Rohan, over for a play date.Being a travelling bear, Thulani enjoyed playing with the electric train set and aeroplanes.

Day 5, Wednesday 25^th May 

Thulani joined Oliver’s class and Miss Bennett at Discovery College, today. They really enjoyed looking at the blog on the interactive white board and tracking Thulani’s travels.
  

Day 6, Thursday 26^th May

Thulani joined Ryan’s class and Mrs McKee, at Discovery College, today. They really enjoyed looking at the diary and Ryan telling them all about Thulani’s travels, during their sharing session.