It’s amazing how the atmosphere changes once you arrive in Hong Kong. After being blocked on the mainland, Google, Gmail, Facebook, Twitter and CNN are accessible once again. Although there are a plethora of modern high-rises due to limited real estate, the British influence can still be seen in this incredible city.

We had beautiful weather on the last day of our China tour, which began with a drive to the Exhibition Center where we boarded an open-air double-decker bus for a tour of Hong Kong. I enjoyed seeing the striking architecture, streetcars, parks and stores with logos familiar to Americans.

Sun Yat-sen statue

International Commerce Center

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Exhibition Center

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

After our visit to Victoria Peak, we drove down to Victoria Harbor and took the Star Ferry back to Hong Kong Island.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Victoria Harbor and the Star Ferry

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

From the ferry, we walked to and through the Cultural Center and had lunch at Symphony by Jade.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cultural Center and Symphony by Jade

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Windows blown out during a recent typhoon are visible on one of the high-rises