WTVS News

Archive for December, 2009

I was first in Hong Kong back in 1969, when it was still under the British Rule. We called Hong Kong ‘Honkers’ back then, referring to the bright spot on the edge of the Red Dragon of China. Since the Chinese reclaimed their land in 1997, Hong Kong appears to still be prosperous despite all the predictions of disaster.

The more I come here, the more I appreciate the city’s vitality and spirit. I lucked out with my accommodations at a Hong Kong hotel, my window faces Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong Island, so for me, I had the best hotel room in town. When I got all settled in my room, it was time to explore. My first stop was to the Jade Market, which is one of my favorite places in all of Asia. I know some of the merchants and I needed a jade stone replaced in one of my rings. I also purchased a very exquisite necklace and a jade decorative piece. I then walked to the fast-paced Nathan Road and walked along the ‘Walk of Stars’ on the waterfront promenade. Later, that evening, I had a perfect seat on my balcony to watch the glitzy laser and light show.

It’s usually smoggy and hazy in Hong Kong, but the next morning I was able to see Victoria Peak, what a sight. I met up with some friends that still live here, and we took the Star Ferry across to Central in Hong Kong where we were picked up by a very successful Kiwi businessman named Joe. He’s been living here for the last 30 years. He took us to the Hong Kong Country Club. After lunch, we went to Aberdeen and hired a junk boat to take us around the remaining live-aboard community of fishing boats. The government has resettled most of the boat residents into high-rise apartments, so there are only a few families still residing on boats. As a former fellow boat person, I thought that was a shame.

We visited Joe’s former home and the church where he was wed and then we headed back to the Star Ferry for a ride across to Kowloon. I really enjoy taking these old ferries, especially now that I’m a senior citizen, I can ride on the upper deck for free!

Is there anyone who hasn’t heard of New York City, New York? The Big Apple? Since they get over 47 million visitors and tourists every year, it’s a safe bet most everyone has heard of New York. Imagine, 47 million people and they come from all over the world, not just the United States. So there must be something drawing them here. Of course there are the definite attractions like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. And this time of year it’s only natural to assume there will be a huge chunk of those visitors coming for New Year’s Eve at Times Square. Manhattan is a borough of New York City; and Times Square is a major intersection in Manhattan. This area is the western part of the commercial center of Midtown Manhattan. It’s no wonder this very famous area is also known as the Crossroads of the World.

Did you know Times Square was originally called Longacre Square? However, in 1904 the name was changed to Times Square, being named after the Times Building. Interestingly enough, just three weeks after the renaming, the first electric advertisement was placed on the side of a bank building. And now, the signature trademark of Times Square is all the cutting edge, over the top, state of the art digital and animated advertisements.

Originally this area belonged to John Morin Scott who was a general in the New York militia. This property was used for breeding horses and farming. The beautiful Scott Manor sat in the middle. In the mid 19th century, John Jacob Astor purchased this property and sold it off in lots to hotels and other commercial entities. And thus a vast fortune was made. Many New York hotels USA had their beginnings right here. As you see the futuristic sights of today, let your imagination take you back in time to the beginning of Times Square.