The nautical nomad…

MY FINAL DAY in Hong Kong was a delight with a trip to Victoria Peak, the hill which sits above Hong Kong Island. First up, a taxi drive from the cruise terminal at Kowloon to the watchtower at the ferry port to catch the ferry for Hong Kong Island. Once again we enjoyed a smooth embarkation process followed by a pleasant 15-minute sail back to Hong Kong Island, the financial heart of the territories. The route to the base station for the tram, which transports passengers to the summit of the Peak, took me through a succession of interconnected walkways and flyovers which wend their way, through a series of shopping malls and hotel lobbies, to the base of the hill. On the way, I notice a strange social phenomenon - various gathering points for domestic staff from the Philippines, who get together in social groups to share food, converse and sell wares. In various locations between the ferry port and the base of the hill there are literally thousands of these people all using their one day off, Sunday, to get together and maintain, and make new, friendships.

Of course, at the top there was a shopping mall and a Gordon Ramsay Restaurant - you just can’t get away from us Scots in Hong Kong

After the maze of walkways and flyovers it was a relief to get to the base station and onto the tram which goes up the side of the mountain to the Peak - and quite a climb it is too, but with fantastic views all the way up. The views from the top were also exceptional, looking down over the financial district of Hong Kong and out over the strait to Kowloon. Of course, at the top there was a shopping mall and a Gordon Ramsay Restaurant - you just can’t get away from us Scots in Hong Kong - which served a very decent late lunch. Then it was back to the ferry for the return trip to Kowloon and a taxi ride to the ship. I’ve sailed quite a few times with Celebrity, and they are indeed beautiful ships, however one of the things that distinguishes them from other lines, and not in a good way, is the on-board prices they charge - they are extortionate! A cappuccino is $6 and a bottle of Heineken is $9, both prices include the mandatory 20% tip. They also do full cruise drink packages, to which this 20% surcharge is also added - the gratuity on its own is more than the base cost of the drinks to the company! It really is a case of a captive market being exploited.