More excitement for the Tram Operator, a 25 minute gondola ride! I love getting some wind and an unexpected stop, and thankfully for me: we got both!
The Big Buddha emerged from the fog to remind us that the buildings aren't the only thing massive in Hong Kong. The Buddha itself was very impressive, but I was more amazed by the monetary and the vegetarian restaurant.
The respect and restraint involved in Buddhism also seemed to contrast with the some of the more individualist behaviours.
Afterwards we took a bus to a rural fishing village, it was incredible to see what non-urban life look like in Hong Kong. The houses were on stilts in one area, and as we were walking through this wharf style neighbourhood one room we passed had full on hardwood floors and a big screen TCL television, the room had decorative plants and two new recliners. You never know what to expect.
Our Bus ride back took us along the perimeter of the island and we had a change to see all of the other small villages along beautiful white sand beaches.
Then came the great juxtaposition. We paired the Big Buddha with a big Apple store. The assignment was sort of to compare the difference between business in China from Canada -what's the same and what's different. Myself and a few others were at a disadvantage for never actually being to an Apple store in Canada.
Like everywhere in China the architecture should be as accommodating as possible if everyone decided to rush into the store. This meant a very open space, and many staff members. Most of the store was similar, with the Chinese one selling more different product, but with both selling the same Apple products.
Many of the franchise businesses in China were very different from their North American counterparts. The KFC menu looked entirely different, and probably had more popularity in China. Starbucks drinks needed to be able to compete with bubble tea places so the drink flavours followed the same pattern (like the green tea red bean frappacino mentioned earlier). Packages were very minimal in their information and included specific directions, even with pictures. Then there was the presence of cartoons in almost all advertising, it seems every product requires a cute mascot.
The night wound down at the Night Market where we dined on spicy crab. The night market was similar to the one in Richmond but definitely much much larger. We walked the street sipping bubble tea and bartering desperately trying to spend the last of our Hong Kong dollars.
It definitely seems weird to think that Hong Kong will be turned over to China someday, I can't imagine that would go over well. The two have diverged and have less and less in common as they move forward.
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