Pride. It invokes a powerful emotional response, particularly when it is as deep and genuine as we witnessed in this young man. Alone in the shop, he spoke of the paintings on the wall as if they were members of a very close family and in one sense they were, the artist was his father. In the Stanley Market, something akin to a flea market, there were many shops selling art but this one held a special allure to us since many of the landscapes were of places or regions that we had visited in the past weeks. The artists style was very physical, he had layered the paint giving an almost three-dimensional feel for the work and when we first saw the scene from Pingjiang Road in Suzhou (see Day Six) we knew we were sold. It was only a matter of settling on the price now.
This morning started like all the rest, a buffet breakfast at the hotel. Again today, I would act as guide, taking the four of us, Edith and Nathalie choose to go on their own today, to the far end of Hong Kong Island to Stanley. Orignially a hideout for the notorious pirate Cheung Po Tsai, it is now a famous destination for tourists looking for Hong Kong bargains.
Before heading for the subway to start our journey, our "local guide" Lucie wanted to show us an area near the hotel she had discovered yesterday during a short walk. Our short excursion took us through what we would describe as a farmer's market back home. In 100 degree (f) heat with 90% humidity the hanging meat was almost too much for my delicate stomach.
Mushrooms anyone?
From our excursion we made our way back to the subway station for another quick ride to Central. I snapped one more shot of a little one for you.
From the subway we made our way to the bus depot to figure out which bus to take for the 40 minute ride across the island to Stanley. The bus was a double-decker and from the upper deck we had wonderful views all the way, including this one.
Just this side of Stanley we went through Repulse Bay (a priate name if I ever heard one).
Shortly after Repulse Bay we arrived at Stanley, home of the Stanley Market.
It was already past noon when we arrived in Stanley so we decided to take a short tour through the market and then find a spot for lunch. Besides shopping, the other main attraction is the boardwalk along the beach with open front restaurants. We didn't take long finding a nice English pub to sit, relax, and enjoy a pint and some fish 'n chips.
After lunch we agreed it would be easiest if we split into couples for our shopping so we planned to meet near the bus stop in a couple hours. Lucie and I wandered through the market which was a maze of covered walkways with shops' open-ended to either side. A left here and a right there and soon you were lost (sort of) without much idea of which way was up. At one point we found ourselves out by the beach again where I snapped a couple shots. The container ships passing just off shore made an interesting contrast to the landscape.
Lucie snapped this one of yours truly.
I caught this sea-hawk circling overhead looking for dinner.
We eventually made it back to the Unique Art Gallery where we were negotiated with Freddy, the owner and son of the artist. After some good natured haggling we settled on a price and Freddy wrapped it into a tube for shipping with as much care as he held for the art of the walls.
As our shopping visit wound down we made it back to the bus stop, met up with Jean and Danielle and caught the "express" back to Hong Kong. As we came through the city I couldn't resist one more dragon picture.
Dinner tonight an Italian restaurant was across from the hotel in a shopping mall. There were many others from our tour group at the same restaurant, all looking as tired as we felt. As our three week trip of China was coming to a close my thoughts turned to home, our son Christopher, and of course work. It was a great trip, one we won't soon forget. The Middle Kingdom is growing up, fast, already a major player of the world's stage, I don't think it will be long before they become the dominant player on that stage.
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