Our definition of the word fresh doesn't hold a candle to Hong Kong's meaning of the word fresh. For example, the fish you see in the picture above were delivered to the vendor in a tank truck. They were alive when they were netted and handed to the vendor. The vendor then proceeds to slaughter them and place them on the bamboo trays you see. As you walk by and look at the fish you will notice that their hearts are still beating. It's absolutely amazing.

On our first visit to Hong Kong we stood by and watched as a young woman selected a live snake for her dinner. The vendor took the snake from the cage, stepped on its head and held it stretched out. He then proceeded to cut the skin behind the head and pull the skin off of the snake. Now skinned the snake was beheaded and placed in a plastic bag for the trip home, still wiggling as she marched away. Chinese markets can be found with a variety of live animals for slaughter and immediate take-home including, chickens, ducks, frogs, fish, etc. They certainly know what fresh means. Visiting these areas is not necessarily for the faint of heart.

During this visit something interesting happened while we were walking down Reclamation St. looking at all the displayed fruits, vegetables, fish and meats. The food vendors set up in the middle of the street using crates or something similar to set their bamboo trays with whatever fare they are selling on it. Without out any notice at all there was a whoosh and every vendor in the street immediately picked up and disappeared. All in a matter of seconds. One minute they were there and the next they were gone. Why? Apparently these were illegal vendors without licenses and some police were spotted coming down the street.

Now, let's continue over to Causeway Bay for a look at some Chinese houseboats ...