Hong Kong

So we arrived in Hong Kong to news of massive protests, tear gas, censorship etc:

I had booked our hotel in the central area of Hong Kong, where a sizable protest was being held. Our flight also got in at 9pm so we had no time to really scout out what was going on. So we ended up booking a hotel near the airport for that night just in case... 

The next day we were still stressing about the protests so we decided to just stay by the airport the whole time. The hotel was lovely and after our somewhat subpar Beijing accommodation we were quite happy to stay there. 

Right outside the doors of the mall attached to the hotel was a cable car to a giant Buddha statue. The airport and hotel are on a relatively undeveloped island in Hong Kong called Lantau island so we figured that we'd be safe from the protests there. The cable car ride was beautiful with great views of the surrounding countryside, buildings and statue.

That done we were suitably tired and sweaty from the humidity so we relaxed by the hotel pool. Again, safe from protests.

The next day we decided to go to Macau which is on another island a ferry ride away. Tentatively leaving our hotel for the metro we encountered nothing at all. Everything was quiet. We reached the ferry terminal and all but the later ferries were overly expensive. We decided we'd rather see Hong Kong than make the trip spending money and time.

By this time both of us were very curious about the protests so we decided to walk around until we encountered it then see what the situation was. As it happened everything was relaxed with just a slight tension in the air. The protestors were young, polite, tidy and clearly only interested in protecting their city's way of life and gain the democratic rights that we take for granted. 

We walked through all three of the main protest areas and they were all similarly peaceful.

Apart from all that Hong Kong is great, clean, efficient and a quirky mix of English culture and Chinese. I loved wondering down Gloucester road eating Percy pigs from marks and Spencer's and encountering palm trees and pro democracy Chinese protestors. 

In a way I thought being there at that time was more interesting than if we'd visited the traditional touristy things and not hidden on Lantau island for quite as long.

We did manage to spend some time in the markets and improve our haggling skills. 

There is also a walkway featuring statues of famous Hong Kong film stars requiring the following photo:

Also it was hot and humid.