Hong Kong December 2005
Friday 8 December @ 2pm
Finally reached Hong Kong can't believe I've really got here. Flight over was good and transfer worked. Was concerned travelling on my own but it was almost better as it didn't matter I read my magazine and watched films - even fell asleep half way through Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Was sat next to two Irish students on a field trip. Not sure if they were hung over or still drunk from the night before but they where making an effort with the drinks trolley at one point. I must have joined the wrong course at university never remember being offered a trip to Hong Kong or anywhere else for that matter.
Found the hotel ok. Was a bit nervous about catching the bus but it was easy really. Looks like a busy building and the street was buzzing. Got some hassle walking in but shook it off. Have a double room tonight, wouldn't like to sleep two in the bed, it looks a bit small. Seems clean enough though decorations and furnishings are old it will do. May check out the single room tomorrow to see if it's any better but not too worried. This one has a window of sorts while I think the single room was an internal room.
Going to freshen up, check the guidebooks and then go off and explore a bit. Don't think I'll venture too far; think an early night is called for.
On a side note: Had replies to my see you in a few days texts from nearly everyone even a phone call from one. Makes a girl feel wanted - don't know why but it surprised me.
Friday 8 December @ 7.30pm
Been out for an explore feeling shattered now. Walked down to the harbour via Peninsula Hotel. Walked along the ‘Avenue of Stars’ and back again. Stopped off in a Shopping Mall, World Trade. Then back round to find the Star Ferry pier. Then into another Shopping mall. This one was decorated for Christmas on the theme of Sparkling Love – Was a bit OTT but it looked good once you got past all the couples posing for pictures.
Both malls seemed to have very expensive designer stores and lots of designer kids stores. Fine for window-shopping but after awhile got a bit boring and repetitive. Found a supermarket for water and a few nibbles. Couldn't face sitting in a restaurant tonight, too tired.
The parts of Kowloon I walked round seemed to be buzzing with people from all over the world, interesting to watch. Really cosmopolitan.
Going to get my early night now. Night!
Saturday 10 December @ 11pm
Had a bit of a lay in this morning. Didn't mean too it's just when I woke up must have needed the sleep. Headed off to the Star ferry terminal to get the ferry to HK Island. Ferry cost HK$2.2 and it didn't take too long - some brilliant views on the way across.
Once off the ferry you walk straight into Santa’s town via Mistletoe Boulevard (Where's a man when you need one?) The display was good but a bit strange - no expense had been spared. Suppose it all seemed too commercialised for me. Walked through and on up to the Peak tram. Tram ride up was good if a bit crowded. Walked round the Peak Gallery and took a few photos before having some lunch at Cafe Deco. Had a prawn and chicken rice thing followed by a fruit Pavlova. Yum! While I admired the view and the building work on the Peak Tower refurbishment. Still not sure about the Bamboo scaffolding but it must work as they are still using it and the stuff is everywhere.
After food I walked the 2km to the top. Very steep walk and not sign posted so not many people go to the top. Watched the sunset from the peak before heading back down to the tram taking some night photos of the city on my way.
Wandered round Santa town again and some shops before catching the ferry back. Everywhere seemed a lot busier now it was dark. Browsed the expensive shops again busy dreaming - even found an M&S. Got a 'window' seat on the way back and had a great very of the island all lit up.
Went to the harbour front to take some more photos before headed up Nathan road for a while. Found a bakery so bought a few traditional looking baked items for a snack before bed.
Had a few messages from home today that made me smile and feel wanted.
Better get off and plan tomorrow.
Sunday 11 December @ 9.30pm
Today didn’t quite go to plan. Over slept, obviously needed the 14 hours sleep. Going to have an early night tonight so I don’t miss the morning again!
Went across to Hong Kong Island again this time wandering right out of the ferry terminal and along to Western Market. Didn’t think there was much there considering it’s in the places to see list in both guide books. Headed back via some other Sunday Market stalls and Wing On department store (It seemed similar to John Lewis) stopped off in the IFC mall for a sandwich and hot chocolate while I checked my emails and updated my Blog at a coffee shop. Lots of emails but no interesting ones L.
Wandered round the IFC mall for a while, again lots of expensive shops so no spending money yet. Did find a good supermarket that I may have to go back to for a few things. Headed back across the harbour on the Ferry. The ferry is great, think I could go backwards and forwards all day on the ferry and not get bored. Stopped for a meal in Silvercord Tower’s food court (Yes – another shopping mall, they’re everywhere). Had a duck dish with rice noodles and green bits in soup. Think I got more soup down me than I ate. It tasted ok except for the dark green floating bits, wasn’t too keen on those bits.
Does this city ever sleep! Just got back to the Hotel, it’s Sunday evening and it’s busy it not busier out there with no sign of stopping, seems strange to me. Going to go to bed now as would like to make it to Lantau Island or one of the other islands tomorrow.
Monday 12 December @ 9.30pm
Well that was something I never thought I’d do. I’ve just had a Chicken curry with rice at a fast food place called Fairwood. So that’s a curry in Hong Kong with European Christmas music playing over the sound system looking out of the window at more bamboo scaffolding. Bit surreal.
Woke up late again today despite efforts so didn’t make it to any islands. Will try again tomorrow with more determination. Maybe I needed the 12 hours sleep again. Feeling lots better for all the sleep. Instead I explored some of Kowloon. I walked up Nathan Road then across at Granville Road. Granville Road is meant to be a factory outlet road but I didn’t see anything I fancied. Walked on to the Hong Kong Museum of History. Not bad for HK$10, kept me occupied for a few hours and some great displays. It covered from pre-historic Hong Kong right up to the handover back to China in 1997 including the Japanese occupation during the Second World War. Learnt a lot of things about the locals – The Boat people, rice farmers and the salt farmers and about the Chinese Opera, dragon dance and boat dance. It was a very interesting museum.
Walked down Chatham Road before crossing back to Nathan Road via Mody Road. Walked back up Nathan Road and found a Tailors. Ordered a new suit and some shirts. Think I’ve been done but we’ll see. Can go for a fitting after 4pm tomorrow spent ages choosing colour and style etc hope it all looks ok. I then walked even further up Nathan Road and walked back down Temple Street Night Market. Was an experience, will go again another night when feeling less fleeced. Maybe able to get gifts and Christmas presents there. Need to decide what and who I’m looking for first.
One thing I have notice is that this city never does stop. Better get going. Going for a short stroll possibly via a supermarket for more water before heading back for bed and hopefully some sleep.
Tuesday 13 December @ 11.10pm
Got up this morning, was a bit of a struggle but made it ok. Hurried getting washed and dressed then rushed down to the Star Ferry. Ferry wasn’t busy so it didn’t take long and I even got a chance for some breakfast. Not too sure about the breakfast but it was warm. Wandered down to Pier 6 to buy my Lantau Explorer Bus ticket (HK$150). Had a short wait for the ferry then I was on my way to Lantau Island. Got there with a bit of time before the bus left so rushed to a supermarket for supplies in case lunch ended up like breakfast. Found I was the only person on the tour today so had a personal tour of the island and a bus to myself.
First stop was Cheung Sha beach. It is a long stretch of sand and I was the only person there very nice! Couldn’t resist going for a paddle in the South China Sea. Would have gone for a swim but I didn’t have time and the beach hasn’t got Shark nets!
The middle and main stop was the Buddhist Monastery Po Lin in Ngong Ping. Was partly why I wanted to go to Lantau. The Monks have built a huge Buddha statue. It’s construction is similar to the Statue of Liberty i.e. a large steel frame with bronze plates bolted and then welded into place. The bits where all made in China and then shipped in and put together at the top of the hill like a giant jigsaw puzzle. It is a very large statue – took your breath away with it’s size as did the 200 and something steps to get to it. Luckily I only had to walk down and the bus dropped me at the top of the hill next to the statue.
The rest of the monastery was interesting too. Watched the monks praying/chanting for a while and people lighting incense as offerings. Was a bit of a tourist trap, the same as a lot of large UK cathedrals that took the edge off it a bit for me.
Have to say the toilets were interesting. Decided to wait. It was either stand or sit in a very small cubical with your head popping up above the door. Wasn’t feeling that liberal today.
The last stop was a tiny fishing village called Tai O. It was very small but had very varying architecture. It still has the traditional houses built on stilts clad in aluminium with small walkways between the houses making up the streets. On the land there was a narrow street with market stalls mostly selling fish products, some of which where still alive. Then there was a collection of large blocks of flats that seemed to have been plonked there in the middle of nowhere as if someone had held the plan the wrong way up during construction and they’d been built in the wrong place. Looked very odd. They could easily have been found in a city suburb.
Then it was back to Mui Wo and the fast ferry back to Central on Hong Kong Island. Stopped off for a smoothie, email and toilet stop in the IFC mall before catching the star ferry back to Kowloon.
Noticed the harbour seemed a bit busier today and saw a couple of police boats following boats of protesters but they didn’t seem to be disturbing everyday life just the conference.
Went to the tailors for the first fitting. Seemed to go well. Tried on two shirts and a mock up jacket and trousers. Have to go back tomorrow for the second fitting, should be the real material.
Spent the evening wandering round Temple Street Night Market again. It’s an amazing place so much to take in. Fun just to people watch. Did give in and get a couple of bits for presents hopefully bargaining skills are improving but not sure, it’s still fun. Will have to see what I can get up to tomorrow.
SIDE NOTE: Condoms. You can’t miss them here. All shapes, colours, flavours and eventuality catered for. Not too sure about the Lychee flavoured ones and I don’t even want to know what is in a box labelled ‘Fright Night’!!???
Wednesday 14 December @ 8.50pm
First time I really missed having someone with me today. Found a restaurant in the guidebook that sounded nice, it recommended trying the duck. Trouble was that when I got there duck was only served as a whole no halves or quarters. It looked really nice too. Had to give it a miss, as I didn’t want to waste lots. Had shredded pork and noodles instead, still very nice. Got some steamed dumplings as well. Ten of them turned up! Managed to eat half of them and took the other five with me for later. I’ll be hungry before bed.
Going on a night tour of the harbour to cheer myself up. Better go, it’s about to board!
Wednesday 14 December @ 11pm
Back in the hotel now. Harbour tour was good only a handful of people so had a choice of good seats. It all looked so pretty with the lights from the sky scrappers. There were parts of Kowloon that where lit up too that I hadn’t noticed before. It all looked good, may have to go and investigate tomorrow.
Had a slow start today but was out and about by midday. Went across on the Star ferry again to Hong Kong Island to explore the Sheung Wan area.
Caught a tram from Central to Kennedy Town. Very exciting if a bit bone shaking, one of the less glamorous ways to travel but definitely an experience not to be missed and at HK$2 a go you can’t go too far wrong!
The smell as I stepped from the tram was something! The shops in this area sold all kinds of dried out seafood stuff. It looked weird and smelt even worse! Walking on I came to the Herbal Medicine shops the smell decreased but the items on sale looked less identifiable.
I then walked along a road full of antique shops before reaching Man Mo Temple. The temple is nestled in between the more modern tower blocks. The temple was busy but not with tourist, local people where stopping by to light incense and leave offerings. The temple was in three parts. The part of the left was full of incense. There were even incense coils suspended from the ceiling.
I then walked a short way down Ladder Street to Cat Street Market. Practiced my bargaining skills again and got a few more presents before descending further down Ladder Street to Lock Cha Tea Shop. Tried loads of different teas before I selected one I liked. Bought a tea set as well so I can make it properly when I get home.
Walked on to Man Wa Lane, where they make and sell chops. Ordered one that says ‘Debbie’ will be busy stamping things now.
Back on the main road I walked on and investigated Wing on again. Brought some more herbal teas that are meant to do all sorts of things for you. Think I’ll need to hold a ‘tea party’ when I get home. Maybe something for January. Will have to see what people are up to.
Walked on to the IFC mall again. Investigated the left luggage and airport express ready for Friday. Tried the MTR back to Tsim Sha Tsui to see how far I needed to walk with my stuff, not too far but I bet it will seem like miles with all my bags! MTR was good very clean but expensive compared to the Star Ferry HK$9.
Went for second fitting for suits. They look very good. Especially the black one, looks hard wearing too and the jacket should go with most things. Going back for the shirts tomorrow. Hope I can fit everything in my bags to go home! Better get some sleep finished my dumpling supper. Have three left for breakfast.