Hong Kong: Sight
If you're planning to visit Hong Kong, for you own sanity sake, please avoid summer. The heat and humidity just doesn't help when the city itself is so dense. Everywhere you go, every corner you take, there's humans. I probably didn't realise I am claustrophobic (to a certain extent) till that trip. So, tried and tested. Do NOT visit Hong Kong during summer.
Thankfully, this itinerary of mine doesn't discriminate against season
4D3N, easy peasy.
Day 1
Simpack sorted. Next up, transportation. Based on where you're staying but most definitely you'll find yourself using the Airport Express Train. Getting you close enough to then take the free bus shuttle. Ask for directions when you're buying your ticket, don't be shy!
Last but not least, accommodation! We stayed in Imperial Hotel. Location wise I have no complaints but I think this hotel has been around for a while now, if you get what I mean. I'm pretty sensitive to dust and upon entering the room, I started sneezing and my eyes started tearing.
Alright. basic requirement sorted. Time for some adventure! Note that the troop in this trip consist of elderlies and mainly elderlies. So first stop, let's go pray. Headed to Wong Tai Sin Temple 黄大仙. At this point I was just hungry and drained, so I only made it this far (shown in the photo) which I then made a u-turn and headed towards the shopping complex next door for food at Tsui Wah Retaurant 翠華餐廳 and most importantly, air-conditioner. This is also the point where I started to realise how hot and humid Hong Kong can be.
The elderlies went and pray for health, wealth and everything nice in life while the granddaughter was making sure she fulfills the first part of "eat, pray, love".
Moving on, we had some time to kill before dinner time. So we made our way to the Ladies Market 女人街. It's really just another Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur but with wider walking space. Everything they sell isn't that amazing but tourists being a tourist, we had to check it off the list. I went hunting for food again because according to my research, there's a famous stall selling coconut shake just around the corner. Was it good? This my friends, I will cover in my next write up, Hong Kong food edition! So stay tune.
Once we were done with Women's Market and dinner at The Seafood Kitchen 鱼小馆, only a few brave souls were left, still eager to explore. Headed towards Mong Kok 旺角 and look at all this store signage! And all the humans!
If you're not tired by now, you should sign up for Ninja Warriors.
Day 2
Typical kiasu Malaysians (kiasu means individual who are very anxious not to miss out on any opportunity). We started our day pretty early because we wanted to beat the crowd at Peak Tram 山顶缆车. Got there at about 8.30am and boy oh boy, we beat ALL the crowd. There was literally no one lining up for tickets yet. Pros and cons though. We missed the crowd but the shops at the Peak weren't open yet.
But really, shopping isn't the main point! It's this view you get to see at the top. I'd much rather skip the crowd AND the queue just to avoid that frustration waiting in line under the sun.
Done with morning sight-seeing, time for food! Headed towards Central 中環 and more specifically Lan Fong Yuen 蘭芳園 for some milk tea, polo bun and toast.
After eating, this is where I
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| Photo source: https://new.pixersize.com/wall-murals/china-hong-kong-antique-street-market-22005253?_pixt=pixers2 |
Anyways, fast forward. Met up with the girls and the first thing we did was go get more food at Lin Heung Tea House 莲香楼. Please don’t judge me. I refer my stomach as blackhole for a reason. They brought me for yumcha aka dimsum. Depending on which country you reside in, term used shall differ. As opposed to the usual ordering process where you see waiter/waitress pushing around this cart serving various steamed goodies which you will then pick and choose as it gets closer to you, this is a whole new different ball game. It’s a warzone! Once le wild cart appears, you’ll see people walking towards it (scene similar to zombie smelling brains), putting in their orders by shoving this magical docket in front of the waiter/waitress’s face. He/she will then pass you your steam goodies, give you a stamp on the magical docket and you’ll walk away with this smirk of victory because it is not easy at all. You’ll have to be fast and borderline rude, otherwise no food for you losers. #culture
Done with war. Moving on. The girls decided to show me Hong Kong via a different mode of transportation, bus! We got to Stanley 赤柱 and there were some carnival like event happening. Had our fair share of kiddy moments.
But of course, it's important to have some quality adult moments ie beer.
It's not intentional but the next thing we did was eat, again. Dinner at Kau Kee Restaurant 九记牛腩. Followed by dessert at Smile Yogurt & Dessert Bar at Causeway Bay.
*insert photo with satisfied face while rubbing on belly. Food coma.
The night ended pretty sad though because it was time to part ways once more but I'm sure we'll see each other soon enough.
Day 3
I had to burn off some calories gained from all the food consumed in Day 2!
So today's agenda involves plenty of walking. Went to Ngong Ping 昂坪 to visit the Tian Tan Buddha 天壇大佛. To head up, we decided to try out the newly launched crystal cable car which basically means cable car with see-through floor panels. Tickets are slightly more expensive than the standard cable car (obviously) but since we're all the way there, might as well. If you're interested, they have some other bundles which include a visit to Tai O Village and what not but we decided not to. Again, arrive slightly earlier so you can be at the front of the waiting line to purchase your tickets. I did see people who have already purchased their ticket online as they went on the express lane, so maybe that's something you'd like to find out more.
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| The queue for the cable car ride AFTER queuing up to get the ticket |
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| This is what you paid for, see through panels. |
Once you get to the top, you'll walk through a stretch of well planned "township" with souvenir shops strategically located. Don't get distracted! Just keep walking straight.
When you're done with Buddha watching, walk across to Po Lin Monastery 寶蓮禪寺 for some vegetarian lunch. They're not stingy with their portion at all. Bring along some containers if you like because I can guarantee, you and your mates will not be able to finish the food. As far as I am aware, charges are by headcount so you can't really "share".
Since we opted out for all the other spots, we headed back down after lunch. Citygate Outlet is literally just next to the station so that's where we went. It's advertised as the largest outlet stall in Hong Kong. Aunt was really excited at the idea of scoring some good bargains but I was more excited about the air-conditioner they have installed.
Headed back to Central for dinner at Yung Kee Restaurant 鏞記酒家 and ended the night with Hong Kong infamous light show.
Day 4
Time was precious merely because we were going home today so without waiting for anyone, I went out trying to get some Lee Keung Kee North Point Eggette 利強記北角雞蛋仔 before meeting the rest for lunch at Tai Hing Roast Restaurant 太興. Notice how in 1 sentence I actually mentioned 2 food item?
Albeit sad that we're leaving, a part of me was secretly glad the trip was coming to an end. Not because of the sight nor the food, merely because of the heat and humidity. Now imagine, all packed and excited to be heading home but was told there's a typhoon and outbound flights might be affected. I was devastated! Thank goodness flight back to Malaysia weren't affected and we still made it back on time and in one piece. Phew.
Summary
For those who're obviously not up for reading, here's a summary.
Day 1
→ Wong Tai Sin Temple 黄大仙
→ teatime @ Tsui Wah Retaurant 翠華餐廳
→ Ladies Market 女人街.
→ snack @ King of Coconut
→ dinner @ The Seafood Kitchen 鱼小馆
→ Mong Kok 旺角
Day 2
→ Peak Tram 山顶缆车
→ breakfast @ Lan Fong Yuen 蘭芳園
→ Central 中環 incld. Antique Street
→ lunch @ Lin Heung Tea House 莲香楼
→ Stanley 赤柱
→ dinner @ Kau Kee Restaurant 九记牛腩.
→ dessert @ Smile Yogurt & Dessert Bar, Causeway Bay
Day 3
→ Ngong Ping 昂坪
→ lunch @ Po Lin Monastery 寶蓮禪寺
→ Citygate outlet
→ dinner @ Yung Kee Restaurant 鏞記酒家
→ Hong Kong light show
Day 4
→ snack @ Lee Keung Kee North Point Eggette 利強記北角雞蛋仔
→ lunch @ Tai Hing Roast Restaurant 太興
Head over to Hong Kong food edition to find out more about the yummies I had.
