Riding the tram up to the peak certainly has to rank amongst one of the most exhilarating, or scary rides, anywhere in the world. Thankfully, helpful staff are on hand to assure you that since it began service about a century ago, there has never been an accident. Climbing over the massed cameras and tripods of what seems like half the population of Asia to watch the sun set tantalisingly over the bay of glittering glass-clad skyscrapers reveals a Hong Kong which very few people could forget. If this wasn't romantic enough to melt even the coldest heart, head off towards Aberdeen Harbour , famous for being home to some 6000 people who live and work on the junks which are moored in the harbour. Recently the number of junks has decreased as people gravitate towards the city centre and abandon the traditional way of life but the harbour is still a hive of activity.
Aberdeen harbour is still breathtakingly pretty, especially in the late afternoon sun.
For a few dollars you can hire a sampan to tour the harbour and end up at one of the three palace-like floating restaurants which are moored in the harbour to dine on exquisitely prepared seafood and Chinese delights, such as marinated duck tongue. An escape from the frantic pace of Hong Kong Island can be found on one of the 234 outlying islands, many of which are infrequently visited by tourists and therefore offer a glimpse of a more traditional and less hectic way of life. It is home to several important monasteries, including Po Lin Monastery with its enormous bronze Buddha, the largest in Asia. All of these islands are easily reached by either ferry or high speed catamaran. To really escape the crowds you can even stay on the island's Trappist monastery.