Hong Kong! Day One: The Search For Something Greater
Sarah here. Today we are back in the Pacific Ocean! Seeing “our” ocean makes us feel good, even if we are still so far away from home. Wow! After being in many developing nations we noticed the drastic differences in Hong Kong. The clean streets, city lights, luxury cars, designer malls that go for miles, Luis Vutton’s stores the size of a Walmart!
As many students and staff left the ship looking forward to California Pizza Kitchen, Starbucks, designer shopping and Hong Kong Disney… Nathan and I went in search of something more elusive! And we found it! Nate and I led eight students on an adventure to see one of the most beautiful sights Hong Kong has to offer. Yes my friends, we saw THE PINK DOLPHINS!!!! The ten of us boarded a small boat and kept our eyes peeled for the dolphins. Initially our guide said sometimes groups do not see any dolphins and that seeing one or two dolphins is a great treat. It was raining lightly and a bit chilly, but we stayed outside on the boat just searching the water. We were out maybe 15 minutes and saw several dolphins! It was amazing, it’s like they knew that I came all the way from the other side of the Pacific to see them! We saw several dolphins over the next 3 hours, it was indescribable! The dolphins are only found in the waters off of Lan Tau island, the largest island off the coast of Hong Kong and they are actually pink, I swear! There are a couple of theories as to why they are pink, but no one knows for sure.
We learned that there are millions of Styrofoam lunches eaten in Hong Kong every day, and just as many plastic bags… all of which were floating in the dolphin's habitat. We learned that the new airport in Hong Kong was built in the dolphin's feeding grounds, which took away over 9 kilometers of their environment. The pollution in the water and high toxicity rate has caused a high infant mortality rate for the dolphin babies, not to mention the fishing and boating dangers that all marine animals face. I find myself apathetic. So go soak up the fluorescent lighting and choke on your Styrofoam, because we are killing the pink dolphins people! My frustration and sadness about the pollution did not take away from my excitement though. We are so privileged to have seen them in the wild.
We spent the day with the dolphins and our evening in town for amazing Chinese food and a late night movie! Nate and I were so excited about being here and had a great day!
Hong Kong! Day Two: A Place With So Much To Offer
We began our d
ay early and led a trip of 40 students to Lan Tau Island. We stopped at the largest multi-level suspension bridge in the world, with a beautiful view of the area. Then went to Cheung Sha Beach, one of the famous beaches on the island, which was recently damaged in a typhoon so the government contractors were bringing in tons of new sand in preparation for beach season. We visited the Tai O fishing village and local temple, which was busy but quiet and quaint. I found myself just wanting to sit down in a little boat in the village and watch the locals, but there was not enough time. The little temple was beautiful and we learned so much!
Sarah here. Today we are back in the Pacific Ocean! Seeing “our” ocean makes us feel good, even if we are still so far away from home. Wow! After being in many developing nations we noticed the drastic differences in Hong Kong. The clean streets, city lights, luxury cars, designer malls that go for miles, Luis Vutton’s stores the size of a Walmart!
As many students and staff left the ship looking forward to California Pizza Kitchen, Starbucks, designer shopping and Hong Kong Disney… Nathan and I went in search of something more elusive! And we found it! Nate and I led eight students on an adventure to see one of the most beautiful sights Hong Kong has to offer. Yes my friends, we saw THE PINK DOLPHINS!!!! The ten of us boarded a small boat and kept our eyes peeled for the dolphins. Initially our guide said sometimes groups do not see any dolphins and that seeing one or two dolphins is a great treat. It was raining lightly and a bit chilly, but we stayed outside on the boat just searching the water. We were out maybe 15 minutes and saw several dolphins! It was amazing, it’s like they knew that I came all the way from the other side of the Pacific to see them! We saw several dolphins over the next 3 hours, it was indescribable! The dolphins are only found in the waters off of Lan Tau island, the largest island off the coast of Hong Kong and they are actually pink, I swear! There are a couple of theories as to why they are pink, but no one knows for sure.
We learned that there are millions of Styrofoam lunches eaten in Hong Kong every day, and just as many plastic bags… all of which were floating in the dolphin's habitat. We learned that the new airport in Hong Kong was built in the dolphin's feeding grounds, which took away over 9 kilometers of their environment. The pollution in the water and high toxicity rate has caused a high infant mortality rate for the dolphin babies, not to mention the fishing and boating dangers that all marine animals face. I find myself apathetic. So go soak up the fluorescent lighting and choke on your Styrofoam, because we are killing the pink dolphins people! My frustration and sadness about the pollution did not take away from my excitement though. We are so privileged to have seen them in the wild.
We spent the day with the dolphins and our evening in town for amazing Chinese food and a late night movie! Nate and I were so excited about being here and had a great day!Hong Kong! Day Two: A Place With So Much To Offer
We began our d
ay early and led a trip of 40 students to Lan Tau Island. We stopped at the largest multi-level suspension bridge in the world, with a beautiful view of the area. Then went to Cheung Sha Beach, one of the famous beaches on the island, which was recently damaged in a typhoon so the government contractors were bringing in tons of new sand in preparation for beach season. We visited the Tai O fishing village and local temple, which was busy but quiet and quaint. I found myself just wanting to sit down in a little boat in the village and watch the locals, but there was not enough time. The little temple was beautiful and we learned so much!
After the fishing village we headed up the mountain to visit the Po Lin Buddhist Monastery. We viewed the world's largest outdoor bronze sitting Buddha (26 meters high). Like the temples in Bangkok, this Buddha is so hard to describe because of its sheer size and beauty! The Buddha is huge and there are six statues of ladies paying respect to Buddha which are also beautiful! We then went into the museum which is located inside the Buddha. The museum had spectacular art, some of which was painted with blood (I am not sure who’s blood, but blood nonetheless). In the top of the museum there was a Buddha Relic, which is one of the crystals or stone like pieces that were left behind in Buddha’s ashes after he was cremated. We had a lovely vegetarian lunch at the monastery and walked around the grounds. Then we took the cable car back into town which was spectacular!
We came back into town and had another amazing dinner! Then watched the Hong Kong light show from the ship and ate ice cream. It was a packed two days, but so much fun. We loved our trip here and wish we had more time to explore!
So glad that you made it to Lautau Island - we loved it too! And what an experience to see pink dolphins!! I had a student last year who was obsessed with them - she would have loved your trip. I found the info on their habitat destruction very sad (and very important to understand).
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heather ;)
I also experienced Hong Kong for a very short time....but loved the contrast between "The City" and a few alleys back "The People of Hong Kong". I was there right before..yes the year that Hong Kong was to become part of China again. There seemed to be so many hushed words being spoken and a feeling of anxiety but still the people were so warm and giving..I bought Dad an electronic chess set...he loved it..you loved playing it Nathan...It beat both your asses!
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