Trams, Prams and Escalators.

Soho

How quick a week seems to have flown since we first touched down in Hong Kong. Tomorrow we depart for pastures new but this place has certainly left a lasting impression! Today’s manoeuvres saw us tackle the steps, slopes and ginnels (not sure they call them that here) of fascinating SoHo. Its hills are steep and paving rickety, whilst its famed covered escalator system is the largest anywhere in the world, hardly what you’d class as ideal conditions for pushing a pram carrying a giggling baby. Alas we struggled forth and were well rewarded. A tapas bar owner from Barcelona poured us refreshing wine, an understated Japanese barista served us iced coffees and a lass who spoke far better English (she was born and raised here) than either me or Courtney plied us with chocolate cake. Our favourite little enclave on Hong Kong Island.

Funicular

After an afternoon of pushchair gymnastics we were ready to let the train take the strain, sorry pram take the tram and boarded the Victoria Peak Funicular. Opened in 1888 this marvel of engineering has truly stood the test of time, serving everyone from soldiers to governors and peasants to tourists. For reasons unbeknownst - having stared across the bay daily at the impressive peak, we were both shocked at the steepness of the ascent. Ears popped and concrete gave way to greenery as the blinking lights of financial institutions melted away below us. I’m far from a fan of rollercoasters but this was a ride for the ages.

Victoria Peak

What better way to shake off our post tram anxiety than with a wander around the peak. The sun had climbed into bed and shut his curtains for the day, leaving behind a sky shaded the colour of a badly bruised plum, whilst rusting fishing vessels dotted various approaches to outlying islands. ‘Beware of wild boar’ read a sign, and raised a chuckle from us both, until moments later we were ambushed by the grunts and snorts of a nearby sounder* (* a group of wild boar and new word for the mental dictionary, doubt I’ll be using that one again). Crisis averted we continued on, the path illuminated by Victorian era lamplight. Rounding a corner we came face to face with both sides of the bay - hovering way above both the Island and Kowloon, suspended by the jungle itself. The view from here was nothing short of spectacular and rounded of the most memorable of trips perfectly. For know it’s time to say goodbye to Hong Kong, thanks for having us, until we meet again.