It was supposed to be the spring season in Hong Kong in February, and before my trip, the temperature i checked was 21 degrees for the highest and 13 being the lowest. But when i was there, the weather turned out to be like winter between 7-10 degrees! (faint)
The last time i visited Hong Kong was in 2006 during the summer season
(http://jadebottleparadise.blogspot.sg/2006/05/hongkong-macau-and-shenzhen-trip-9th.html) so this time was a relatively new experience too.
Praise God for the opportunity, i got my first experience on the business class flight on SQ 890, and it was also my first time visiting the Silverkris lounge. Very suah ku hor :P ( country bumpkin)
After check in two hours before my flight, i proceed to the lounge. It was quiet in the lounge. Hungry me went straight to the breakfast spread, took abit of food from those trays that appealed to me. I liked the carrot cake best, the rest pretty normal. Oh, forgot to mention, there is TWG tea in the lounge too!
Once on the plane, service was really good, the attendants even remembered my name. I started snapping pictures around like a typical "first timer" discreetly...:P. The screen is so much bigger and there is so much leg space i can even stretch out my legs. I ordered champagne and took my own sweet time, enjoying the drink with the fruits and bread. You know what, i could not find the remote control, it was hidden in an arm compartment on my right. (An attendant showed it to me) and awhile later, lunch was served. While watching " My Lucky Stars" showing my favorite idol Wang Lee Hom, i was touching around the seat for any button that can turn the seat into a bed.
Well, time really flies on the plane, just as i decided to ask the attendant to help, the announcement was made to prepare for landing. Sianz!!! I have not experienced the bed seat. The attendant told me, i should have asked for help as the button is on top and somewhere behind the seat! However, as they are preparing for landing, he could not adjust into the bed seat for me :(
Nevermind lo, i guessed it is like those seats in the Gold class cinemas. But nevertheless, i am glad for the experience.
Finally i had reached the Hong Kong Airport. The moment i exit the airport arrival gates, the machines to buy the airport express tickets are just right in front. Remember, before you exit, do check out the tourist information counter, there are brochures and maps there which will come in handy.
My hotel was in Tsim Tsha Tsui area, and so i got to stop at Kowloon. Taking a single trip journey is only 90HKD. And check out this page (http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/getting_around/complom_free_bus.html)
if your hotel is listed there, you can just hop on the shuttle bus for airport express passengers.
Finally i met up with my twin and after putting my luggage down, we had our first meal in Hong Kong in Tang Chao which was along Hankow road in Tsim Sha Tsui. I like the XO fried carrot cake and the beancurd wrapped prawns.
After lunch, we went to the Tsim Tsha Tsui promenade. As it was still the CNY season, we can still see lantern decorations up. Not only that, there was this wedding theme where they displayed wedding cultures of different countries. Walking down to the end of the promenade, i see the clock tower which was supposed to come in operation since 1921. Walking along avenue of stars in bright daylight is a different feeling, i realised there were alot of HK stars whom i do not know at all.
We walked around Harbour City which is also near Tsim Tsha Tsui promenade. That is a really large shopping mall.
Actually we wanted to visit The Peak, but looking at the misty sky, we decided against it. There is no way we can see anything when we are up there. So own time own target, we took a star ferry and headed to Central across to the other side. Be prepared with small coins and notes. The ferry costs only 3.40 per person, think it would cost lesser on weekdays and it was a short refreshing ride. We decided to take the trams which costs only like 2.30 per person. We chose a red tram and see where it will lead us. The tram's last stop was in Sheung Wan, and we happen to see this Western Market, this special Edwardian style building.
In those Hong Kong movies, i always see detectives chasing the thieves through those mid levels escalators, and i see it for myself this time. Not the chasing, but the escalators which was supposed to be 800metres long and taking about 20minutes for the entire length. We had a hard time trying to find the escalator from Sheung Wan. If you want to start, start from Central and from there, the escalator would keep on going upwards. We had a simple dinner at 池记 before we went to the Ladies Market in MongKok area. Most of the things in ladies market are almost the same, but if you are daring enough, you can bargain with the stallowners there, i wanted to buy a hairclip, they charged for 60HKD, i bought it at half the price. :) using the strategy i used in the past...We ended the day with a nice dessert from 许留山。
Second day was planned to be a day of action and adventure. I read from trip advisor that the best place to hike is dragon's back and we decided to try this hiking route. It was even colder that day so much so that i have to borrow my twin's thicker jacket!
We had a nice breakfast at this Macau restaurant along Lock Road at Tsim Tsa Tsui area before we start our journey.
First we took the MTR to Shau Kei Wan MTR and exit A3. Then we took the number 9 NWFB bus from there to get off at To Tei Wan. The bus fare is 6.90 per person, so as usual be prepared with small coins and notes. There were some locals who were there for the hike too so we just followed them as they go uphill on the road for 1km. The trail was as difficult as Macritchie reservoir and halfway through,it started to rain. So with the slippery rocks and footpath and accompanied by strong winds, you can imagine how cold, difficult and challenging it is to go through this hike. It was disappointing as when we got up to the Shek O Peak, there is no view cos t was really really foggy. The winds are so strong, it seemed like the umbrella might be blown away anytime. Both of us walked really carefully cos you wouldn't want to slip and fall there. We did not even go to Pottinger's Gap as the rain was really too much for me to bear, in the end, we conquered about two thirds of the hike and head back for a change of clothes. A piece of advice, check the weather forecast before going on the hike, try not to go during the rainy season.
We decided to take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car service to Tai O. To get there, take the MTR to Tung Chung, take note that the cable car service closes by 5pm from there and 6.30pm back. The cable car ride is HKD 150 for a standard round trip. As we go up, it got colder and colder and was so foggy, we could not see the big buddha too.
When we returned back to Tung Cheng, we went straight to the nearby CityGate where all the big brands are selling at the outlets price. In the end, went to check out the Espirit store and i bought a trenchcoat at HKD 349, which is quite a good deal as compared to buying in Singapore.
Third day - I did my shopping and walking alone, checking out the various food that i wanted to try and places i wanted to go. I only started the day after my brunch at 12, took the MTR to Causeway Bay Area. From exit A, there is Times Square, then nearby, there is Jardine's Crescent where there are roadside stalls for you to bargain. There is Sogo along Henessey Road and then across Sogo, there is this shopping Centre called Island Beverly. Island Beverly seemed more suitable for my budget and style. The shoes there are relatively more expensive, i did not get any, but there was this shop on the 2nd floor called urban cottage (http://www.urban-cottage.com.hk/) that sells relative pretty affordable jackets and tops. A dress and a jacket sells for HKD 180 and the quality is quite alright.
After getting some shopping, i took the MTR to Wan Chai, to look for Honolulu cafe, at 178 Hennessey Road, the cafe is very noisy, like those traditional Hong Kong cafe kind.I tried the egg tart which costs $7. . It tastes alright to me, maybe i am not into the flaky kind. From Wan Chai, i decided to walk to Central. The weather is good for a walk. I just take a leisure walk and reached Central in the evening to meet S, an ex colleague who was there to work. We took the exit D2 to go into the Soho area. Before entering the Soho area along the mid levels escalator, we headed into Wellington Street 77 to try Mak's noodles. The portion is quite small but it is ok for dinner. Big eaters might want to order two bowls. The noodles are nice and has a qq taste.
I explored Tsim Tsha Tsui area on the 4th day. I went to Granville Road ( along Nathan Road) and check out the cosmetics and fashion shops and bought a pair of flats for HKD 120, the best deal i can find for shoes. After which i went to Harbour City to find the totoro shop again, it is actually at Ocean Terminal LCX area level 3. Initially, part of my itinerary was to have afternoon tea at Peninsula Hotel Lobby, when i reach there at 3.30pm, there was still a long queue of 20 people in front. By the time, its my turn, i think it will be dinner time!
I decided to go for a walk in Kowloon Park instead, nice tranquil place, away from the bustle and busy Hong Kong city life. There is a mini aviary in the park. And from there, it is of walkable distance to Temple Street, so i thought i would just walk to find Mido cafe.
If you are not wearing comfortable shoes, you can take the MTR. I walked back to Tsim Tsha Tsui along Nathan Road to meet my twin for the night. We went to watch the Symphony of Lights at 8pm along the Avenue of Stars. The lights on the buildings are very nicely lighted up, i totally enjoyed the lights and the company too. :)
We ended the last night with a lovely dinner at a chinese restaurant and 许留山dessert.
I woke up the next day at my own timing again, went to get some last minute Portuguese egg tart from Macau cafe. I actually prefer the egg tart, it is crispy and there is alot of egg fillings. Thereafter, we make our way to the airport. And that is the end of my short trip in Hong Kong.
The next few posts would be on my working holiday in Taiwan. Stay tuned :)
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