Hong Kong/ final port of call

If I had to cite the principal attraction of cruising it would be entering a new country or port of it by sea. Here are some pics I took of the Hong Kong skyline as we sailed in and also at night when there is a laser show. One of the irritants – at least on this cruise – is the level of obtrusiveness. Early on at dinner I happened to mention that the Clintons made $200m post his Presidency. A fellow on the adjoining table, when he got up at the end of his dinner, said “I think you will find it it was $150m”. The butler and cleaner asked how you enjoyed an excursion even when you did not go on one. I understood why some guests hardly ever leave their cabins. You also receive daily a ream of paperwork; a flier called Chronicles, a schedule of activities, a news broadsheet and various fillers. As I was packing up I had a mound of paperwork I discarded.

I had enrolled for a tour of the the highlights of Hong Kong. It is a series of islands extraordinary for its commercial activity and energy. It also has some beautiful beach and bay areas like Stanley or Repulse Bay where the Japanese landed first to occupy the island. We went first to the Peak Tram, an extraordinary feat of engineering for the last 19th century, as the tram ascends at high gradient. Unfortunately the two American sisters and another were left behind on the platform. It was clear this guide could not emulate Max Hastings in the Falklands by counting them on and off. It was unclear where the return meeting point was situated and once again when I asked the guide some busybody intervened. Hong Kong must be the shopping capital of the world with markets and malls abounding. We went to the Stanley market which was cheap but of questionable quality. The Dorking know-all had of course worked in Hong Kong and explained to us how it was necessary to get off the island.

We had our last supper organised by some bossy woman with a timid traveling companion. She was sat next to Dorking Man who slowly enunciated his wisdom in words of one syllable and I wonder how long it would be before the bossy woman and he clashed (10 minutes over the excursion guides). There was the ritual of exchanging addresses and emails. I secretly hoped that no one would contact me.