Taking a break from sightseeing

Hong Kong, a very different and much more homogeneous cultural environment (95% Cantonese, the guide says), gives us a welcome pause. Martin, Teresa, and Jennie host us comfortably in their superb apartment, overlooking the bay to the south of Hong Kong Island from the 23rd floor (and including the roof top). Carlos spends the first day in bed with the COSIT bug, while I have just recovered enough to get some work done. No need to go out anyway, as spectacular fireworks get displayed at night from seven boats in the bay at our feet (for no apparent reason). The remaining two days turn out equally relaxing, one spent walking around the top of The Peak with its breathtaking views, the other on the boat that Martin shares with friends, just being lazy and spoilt with a fine BBQ. The evening in between we enjoy at the great show of the Australian Circus of Oz. Overall, the three Hong Kong days felt a bit like getting some rest at home - maybe also because of the (marked) Swiss German spoken. We catch up with tourism on the last morning, though, by visiting the huge Buddha statue and the Po-Lin monastery, in a great landscape setting close to the airport on Lantau Island.