CRUISING STRAIT OF TAIWAN

Thursday,  March 21st
     Our position this morning is yellow arrow in little red circle on the map between mainland China and Taiwan.  We are scheduled to arrive at Hong Kong at 2pm tomorrow but Captain says we should arrive there early.  Ocean still looks rough but our ride is not that bad.
     We went out in hallway for the block party yesterday evening but Rebecca disappeared after about 10 minutes.  I went back to suite to see what happened.  She said she about fainted so I went        down and informed our friends that we would not be joining them for dinner as planned.  Instead I ordered room service for our dinner.  I think she was just weak from not eating much all day.  She is back to normal this morning so was 24 hour bug I guess.  I still have my head cold but not feeling bad.  I went to the show by myself last night.
     We plan to enjoy a relaxing day at sea today.  Both of us will go to gym this morning.  I am adding some information today about Hong Kong, our port for Friday and Saturday.  I am also adding some photos of HK that I took at night when in HK three years ago on our world cruise.  Want you to see some good shots of the laser light shows.
     Situated on China's south coast, it is a "special administrative region" of the People's Republic of China.
As such, it has a difference political system than does mainland China.  It became a colony of the British Empire after the First Opium War (1839-1842) but was returned to Chinese control in 1997.  Hong Kong is only 426 square miles but has a population of over 7 million so is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.  Because of the limited land area it has grown vertically with many skyscrapers.
     HK is one of the world's leading international financial centers and is characterized by low taxation and free trade.  Many US corporations have offices here.  It's currency is Hong Kong dollars and the stock exchange here is the 7th largest in the world.
     Probably the neatest thing about HK is its laser light show every night at 8pm.  The laser lights are on top of many of the skyscraper and illuminate at different time to make a "show".

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     Like I say, these pictures were taken on last trip to HK.  We had a fantastic docking place in 2010 but Captain said during his noon PA we would not have that dock this time.  So may not get good photos of the light show tomorrow night.
     On tap for tonight is dinner up in Sette Mari, Italian restaurant we were to dine in last night.  The will go to 9:30 show featuring Linda Gentille who will be playing Broadway favorites on piano.  We missed her first show but hear she is very good.  Cute for sure.