It seems that you can get nearly everywhere in Hong Kong walking through covered walkways, malls, and underground walks which connect you with the MTR (Hong Kong’s subway). Hong Kong Park is no exception. Our apartment sits atop a mall, and through that mall and a series of stairs and escalators, you can make your way to one of the entrances to Hong Kong Park. Like many parks here, this is not a park for running around, but one for strolling and reflecting. There is a playground, billed for kids up to age 12, but Luke quickly grew bored with the small-scale equipment, and Jed and Ty were just too big, really, to enjoy it. What wasn’t boring were the ponds, which were populated with large carp and many terrapins (turtles), the aviary, with its multitude of colorful birds and bridges ala the Swiss Family Robinson, and the lookout tower, with its winding stairs and rewarding view.

The boys particularly liked the Aviary, where we saw Crested Pigeons, Cockatoos, Myna Birds, and Parakeets. All were big and loud. I got buzzed a few too many times to truly appreciate the experience, but I will admit that seeing all the odd birds and hearing their calls made me feel like we were truly in a foreign place.

Something I did appreciate that perhaps the boys did not was the number of brides getting their photographs taken in the park. There is a Marriage Registry in Hong Kong Park, and apparently it is very popular to have pictures taken in the park. We ahve seen a a number of brides, and I always delight in checking out their finery – usually western, but occasionally a red evening gown or two. Our relo guide told us back in November that many couples have pictures taken before their actual wedding and then the albums are displayed for guests to enjoy at the reception. Although I almost snapped some pics of a few brides, ultimately it felt too intrusive.

I think we have been lucky to be here when it’s not full summer – right now all these covered walkways seem like a crazy way to get around, but if it’s true that most locals consider this weather “cold” (as the parkas, furs, and boots confirm), then those covered walkways are going to be really useful when the sun finally comes out!