To avoid expensive fines for overstaying my visa, I decided that I’d visit Hong Kong at least every three weeks. Saturday was the day to visit and I had a few to-do items to accomplish: visit the public library, visit one of the large music stores, discover the locations of some of the pretty churches that I saw during one of my early visits, find a store that sells Indian spices, and take some nighttime photographs. I able to achieve all of these goals to one degree or another. I popped out of the subway stop just beyond Causeway Bay on the main island (I don’t recall the name now) and met a colleague. We decided to get something to eat so I requested those Hong Kong barbecued I had a few months ago. Unfortunately, I don’t speak any Cantonese (and am not interested in learning any since that would totally confuse me with trying to learn Mandarin). But, Jonathan’s a native Hong Kongian (Kongian?) so problem solved.

We then went to the public library. It’s an impressive eight story building with modern interior and is totally wired digitally. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the sheet music I was looking for. I left Jonathan behind who was studying for the GMAT. I went off questing for my other errands. As the sun started to drop, I decided to make my way to the tram station. It was totally packed and I didn’t feel like waiting in line; it would have been a minimum of 40 minutes to wait. So, instead I hopped a cab. The driver offered to take me to the top for 80 Hong Kong dollars. Like an idiot, I forgot to counter offer him, so at around ten US dollars, it was a bit of a rip off. But, I got up fast and along the way I saw bus line #15 and realized that this must also go to the same spot. It did and I took the bus on the way down. At one tenth the price, I cut my overall cost to an acceptable level and learned a good nugget of info for the next time. Unfortunately, I was one of the last on the bus, and I had to stand. We picked up more and more people and it was uncomfortably crowded and hot and the man next to me stunk of cigarettes. I was starting to feel dizzy and ill from being so cramped for so long, but immediately perked up when I saw the central subway station. I hopped the subway towards Kowloon where I’d ask my favorite Indian restaurant about a good store for spices.

OK, back to the view from Victoria Peak…

They were even better at night than they were during the day and naturally there were hoardes of people scittering about. But I was about to receive another surprise treat. Instead of walking the subway to the KCR train station, I decided to get some fresh air and views by walking along the Avenue of the Stars. The avenue was jam packed with people admiring the stunning view of Hong Kong island across Victoria Harbor. When I heard the announcement for the “Symphony of Lights”, I knew why this area was especially crowded. I found a good vantage point and a spot to place my camera to take long exposure shots and waited five minutes for 8 o’clock to arrive. The music started and the lights from the more prominent towers on the other side of the harbor started to flash in sync with the music. Then the spotlights lit up the sky and later on the lasers. I got lots of pics of the show. As soon as it stopped, I visited the Indian restaurant, got the address, and then decided to try the new train stop that arrived in Huang Gang, instead of Luohu. This was a great find – unlike Luohu, which is jam-crowded with people, is a maze of confusing shops, and stinks, Huang Gang was brand new, clean, safer, and not crowded. Plus, this is closer to where I live than Luohu.

(above) Superb views. See them lasers? 很票亮！