Travel Blog
The following is from a tourist’s travel blog, written after his journey to Hong Kong.
Read the blog and try the questions below.
Travel: Hong Kong
It's two o'clock in the morning and I'm
standing among massive banks of bright
neon lights of every colour, towering
skyscrapers and brightly-coloured signs.
The city of Hong Kong sits on one of 263
islands that make up the region. All-night
food stalls, loud, bustling markets and
electrical stores compete with dense trails of
pedestrians scuttling about like ants,
double-decker trams, fluorescent walkways
and Hong Kong's bright red taxis combining
to create an ever-changing landscape of
vivid colour and noise.
The steep urban hills, the contrast of colourful old temples and towering modern skyscrapers
further the exhilaration. A number of times I stop to ask myself whether I am in the most
exciting place on earth. There are many lively cities around the globe but there can't be many that
beat Hong Kong for its energy and excitement.
However, Hong Kong is not only the urban jungle that people imagine. More than two thirds of
Hong Kong is made up of countryside, and its islands, quickly and cheaply accessible by ferry,
have sleepy fishing villages, restful beaches and tranquil hikes.
One little island, Cheung Chau, is car-free and just a 30-minute ferry ride from Hong Kong
Central. Take this ferry, and the skyline of the megacity is rapidly replaced by the salty sea
breeze and approaching rocky mounds of greenery. Cheung Chau is known for its fish
restaurants, which line the harbour and look out to rows of junks. Follow the path and you come
to a little deserted beach, with Macau-bound ferries in the distance. Walk further and you come
to dense shrubbery and trees. It could not be more of a contrast from the city centre, yet few
tourists make the journey.
If you haven't the time for a hike around one of the rural islands, the 10-minute ferry across
Victoria Harbour from Hong Kong Island to the Kowloon peninsula is likely be the best money
you'll ever spend. The views of densely-packed, futuristic towers are breathtaking.
Kowloon's Night Market is fun to stroll around, even though it is full of tourist trinkets. If you
want to buy one, bargaining is the norm here: you'll get 25% off just by walking away. There are
numerous little open-air restaurants around here. I opted for Tong Tai Sea Food Restaurant on
the junction of Ning Po and Temple Streets and had a bowl of delicious fried noodles and
watched the world go by.
For a spectacular view of the region, take the Peak Tram up the steep, 27-degree slopes behind
Central. The tram has been operating since 1888 and the first five minutes are unexceptional, but
suddenly and dramatically the densely-packed buildings give way to lush, green hills, with the
skyscrapers below. At the top you can easily leave the crowds and enjoy a tranquil walk around
the Peak through shady forest, to enjoy more stunning panoramas.
Adapted from http://www.heraldscotland.com/life-style/outdoorsleisure/travel-hongkong.1396065603
Vocabulary
All of the travel related adjectives have been underlined for you. Add these items to your
vocabulary notebook and learn them!
1. Without consulting a dictionary, write a meaning for the word pedestrian in paragraph
two. Try this from the context (situation) of the paragraph.
2. What is the writer saying about Hong Kong in comparison to other cities in the world in
paragraph three?
3. Based on the article, write T for True, F for False and X for Not Given next to the
sentences below.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Hong Kong lacks sights and sounds that stimulate the senses. ______
It is impossible to find a quiet spot anywhere in Hong Kong.______
The ferries to the islands are unsafe because of the busy harbor. ______
It’s easy to get a discount at the Night Market. ______
The views from the Peak are unexceptional. ______
4. Find words from the article that mean the same as:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
A light wind. _____________
Empty and without any people. _____________
To show differences or opposites between two things. _____________
Reachable or available . _____________
5. What does it refer to in the last sentence of paragraph 5?
6. What does paragraph 6 say about the ferry journey from Hong Kong Island to the
Kowloon peninsula?
7. Give three reasons why this blogger would want to recommend travelers go to Hong
Kong?
8. Based on the ideas mentioned in the blog, which area in Hong Kong would the following
travelers go to?
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Rick: “I love eating new kinds of food. Prawns and clams are my favourite!”
______________
Maria: “I enjoy browsing around for little things to decorate my house with. I
especially enjoy getting a good deal.” ______________
Christine: “What’s fun is sitting outside, munching on snack food and watching
the action on the street.” ______________
John: “You can see everything from here – the skyscrapers, islands and so many
lights!” ______________