Sunday November 4th, 2007
We spent a fascinating Shabbat in Hong Kong Kowloon. You have a number of options in the Hong Kong area for Shabbat. If you are on Hong Kong Island, you can daven either at Chabad or at the Ohel Leah shul. If you are on the Kowloon side, you either daven at Rav Meoded's Heichal Ezra Kehillat Zion or at Chabad of Kowloon, both of which are in the Mody Road area.
We opted for the Kowloon side because the options for good accommodations is much better than on the island side. As well, we were told by a number of people that Rav Meoded has a kehilla that is most welcoming and warm.
He provides full meals on both Friday night and Shabbat, both of which require no reservation and are paid for by donation only. You simply pick up an envelope before of after Shabbat and leave it in a slot in the attached Mul Yam restaurant.
The participants there are primarily business people, some of whom are regulars, who commute for trade shows or for factories that they operate in the area. The davening is sefaradic; though there seemed to be an equal number of ashkenazim and sefaradim there. We were among the few tourists who were not there for business.
There are a number of appeals for funds that are amde during the Shabbat; all non pressured appeals, in order to subsidize Rav Meoded's activities in Hong Kong. He has been there for a number of years and is bringing up his family in Hong Kong.
The meals were fantastic; delicious and plentiful; there was much singing and divrei Torah; it was truly a heimishe Shabbat atmosphere and just a short walk from our hotel.
Because of Rav Meoded's presence in the area, all the hotels are familiar with our strange requests for Shabbat; walking the stairs, turning on lights etc.
Motzaei Shabbat - Back to the Symphony of Lights at the Harbor
When Shabbat ended, we went back to the boardwalk for another look at the Symphony of Lights, the nightly multimedia show, which involves more than 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour.
Named as the 'World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show' by Guinness World Records, coloured lights, laser beams and searchlights perform in an unforgettable all-round spectacle synchronised to music and narration that celebrates the energy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong.
There are five main themes: Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Partnership, and the finale, Celebration.
Once the light show ended, we headed over to the Night Market and shopped till we were ready to drop. Amazing selection, and equally amazing prices (though we were told by those who had been to China that the prices in Hong Kong were expensive by comparison....it is all relative, I guess!!!).
The next morning we headed back to the Star Ferry again and sailed across the bay to the Island side where we boarded a double decker bus to take us to the Stanley market on the other side of the island.
A worker in a boat cleans the litter from the water. They are very concerned that they keep their city and surroundings immaculate.
We were advised to sit in the front seat on the upper level of the double decker in order to fully experience the ride on a very winding road on the way to Stanley Market. The ride was amazing and we snapped pictures of the various little communities that we passed along the way as we enjoyed the air-conditioned and comfortable buses.
Stanley has been a fishing village since before the British came to Hong Kong. In fact, it was the last stand for the British troops before surrendering to the Jananese during the war in 1941.
Stanley Market is one of the must-go places for tourists when they visit Hong Kong. You will find an interesting array of little shops selling silk garments, sportswear, art, Chinese costume jewellery and souvenirs. While a bit "touristy" if you are a tourist it will certainly help you to cross off all the items on your souvenirs-to-buy-shopping list.
It was a beautiful and sunny day so we spent some time on the beach enjoying the weather.
As we headed back in the bus, we enjoyed the amazing architecture in this very densely populated city of 7 million people.
There are hundreds of high rise buildings seemingly built on top of each other. Literally amazing to see.
The distinctive Bank of China Building
We were headed to Fortune House in Central as it also housed a small kollel and the Shalom Restaurant....we were the only customers there this afternoon.
After lunch we took a cab to the bottom of the Victoria Peak Funicular and boarded the train to the top.
What an amazing view from the top!
Sunday evening is the time for the weekly BBQ at the JCC....we went with Mindy and Jeff Callen who were spending their Sabbatical in Hong Kong...
To be continued......
No comments:
Post a Comment