Hong Kong Trip 2011 - Day 3

Day 3. we have practically the whole day to ourselves. there was this highly rated dim sum shop around Mong Kok. since dim sum is the food of hong kong, i decided to give it a try. we queued up for the shop to open and took our number. then we went to have some light breakfast. unfortunately, both required queuing and flysheep's dad nearly blew up because he was hungry and needed food. bad planning on my side T__T lastly we dapau some yao char guai and bought some lo po bing before heading back to our hotel to eat.  

With a half full stomach, everybody is in a lighter mood and we headed to the shop again. Seriously, what a disappointment. you should just forget about this place. not sure why everyone is making such a fuss about it. the dim sum shops around penang island win it hands down. hardly any competition at all!

The only food worth trying is the char siew pau. but the char siew is also so-so. the crust outside is what makes it special. 

The rest of the food is either normal or hardly worth a try. the carrot cake sitting at the edge of the photo is the worst. everybody complains, what the heck...

After our double breakfast, we planned to do shopping around Mong Kok. However things are expensive. we gave up and headed to the airport instead.

The nice roof in the airport. we needed to check in at Terminal 2 but boarding gate is located at Terminal 1. what a fuss traveling back and forth. you really need extra time to travel between them. else you might run out of time to board the plane.

Food was cheap in Terminal 2 but we went to Terminal 1 to have dinner. everything is more expensive over there. but this shop at the very end of the food court sells delicious food at a very reasonable price.

We left Hong Kong with loads of cash in hand because we did not manage to do much shopping. Hong Kong is a beautiful and clean place. but 1 visit is enough for us. there really isn't much sight seeing to be done in the small island.

The flight back is noisy with kids (and their parents too!) playing on their iPad with the volume turned up, people talking loudly for hours when it was late night and we could have gotten a quick nap. oh well, all kinds of people you meet while traveling.

Hong Kong Trip 2011 - Day 2b

Yet another must-visit place, Victoria's Peak. the map guiding you from Central MRT to the Cable Car Station is pretty comprehensive. but the walk is tiring because it is a uphill climb. we queued up for the cable car. you always come across some rude tourist who basically shoved you away to get their favorite spot. sometimes I just wonder why can't people wait more patiently for their turn...

 

The ride was pretty short. the air quickly turned cool as we went up. we were greeted by bruce lee again! this time in his famous yellow suit. we happily took turns to take our individual photo with him. nobody wanted to pay to get into the wax museum though.

The sky terrace. you can pay extra money to go to the top.

Outside the sky terrace there is a nice spot for photo taking.

But I prefer taking photos from inside the building. Here's one beside Burger King. the sun was setting and this building totally caught all the lights and blinded us with its reflection.

We did pay extra money to get to the top of the sky terrace building. (tourist, duh...)  the sight is pretty from the top!

I do not know how, but flysheep managed to capture this golden photo of the setting sun. suddenly we are in some nature mountain sea scenic place.

We patiently waited for the sun to set and bumped into some rude tourist again... it's pretty annoying! but the view is very rewarding. this is Hong Kong's glorious image.

Hong Kong in bokeh!

One last one before we leave this place and call it a day.

Hong Kong Trip 2011 - Day 2a

We started a new day again in Mong Kok. had breakfast in McD. saw a hello kitty doll wearing McD suit for sale. was very tempted to buy one (not a big fan of hello kitty but the costume was very cute) but moments later one girl came along and pasted 'sold out' sticker on it. duh...

Next stop, Wong Tai Sin temple. like, whoever would miss out this temple in a visit to Hong Kong? the temple is strategically located just outside the MRT exit. and the MRT station name is, Wong Tai Sin... you don't even need to ask for direction! upon reaching the entrance we were taken aback by the hoards of tourist arriving early in the morning. we went along and offer some prayers.

They have this very nicely decorated incense stick for sale.

We went ahead to donate some money to the temple. flysheep's dad said, hey use our currency note, then they'll know someone from our country donated them. all of us played along. 

Visitors were tying red threads hoping to find the love of their life. while flysheep's siblings proceeded to do so *cough*, I held flysheep's hand and thanked the god-of-marriage I have already found mine.

Next off, we went to the central and took a bus to Aberdeen. we were hoping to see the Jumbo flaoting restaurant. instead, it was a jetty with a small boat that would bring you to the large boat that was no where insight. 

There were many boats offering a ride that would bring you closer to the floating restaurant and around the jetty area, with a small fee of course. 

It was very hot by noon and I was eager to leave the place. we waited a long time for the bus to arrive T__T When we reached central, I was pretty tired. flysheep took over and brought us the the mid level escalator. we went up and up.

I spotted the place I was planning to have lunch. lucky us there was no need to wait. we were ushered into the small shop and cuddled at one corner. hong kong's shop are mostly very cramped with customers sitting back to back.

This place is famous for its pork chop burger and milk tea. the burger was the best that i have tasted so far, even better than macau's.

We saw a table that ordered the french toast twice. must be tempting! after we finished our food we ordered one to test out. delicious!

Next we went to pick up some egg tarts. i read online most people waited 20mins to get their tarts but I was surprised there was not a queue in sight. hopped in and out in 5 mins.

We strolled towards Man Mo temple but upon reaching it, nobody wanted to go inside and have a look. instead, we took a seat in the garden opposite it and consumed our egg tart. OMG the awesomeness!!!! I will definitely miss these egg tarts!!! the crust is crunchy on the outside. once you take a bite, the whole thing threaten to fall apart because the egg inside is so soft. YUM!

Hong Kong Trip 2011 - Day 1d

We headed to Tsim Tsa Tsui for the Light Symphony. it was dusk and the buildings were slowly lighting up.

Illuminated skyscrapers. the best of Hong Kong!

Zoomed in version...

And another visit to Bruce Lee. it was surprising to see so few tourist standing around the statue.

Next was the boring wait for the light show to start. we took shots here and there while waiting

As the clock ticks closer to 8pm, tourist started to show up and grab up good positions along the pathway edge. we quickly joined it. and so the light show begins!

The show was very short but not too bad.

We were starving at the end of the show. Grabbed a quick dinner at SOGO departmental store. the food court underneath is highly recommended. cheap and nice food! it's limited to japanese food though.

Hong Kong Trip 2011 - Day 1c

Vege lunch at Po Lin Monastery. it was superb. we couldn't stop eating. yum yum yum. cannot understand people who complains about it.

Leaving the canteen with a satisfied tummy, i was surprised to see a temple outside of it. then it came across my mind the canteen is only part of the whole place. of course there has to be a great temple beside it! i was too obsessed with food. -__-

I suggested to take a stroll along the wisdom path. the guide stated 15mins. we decided to give it a try. well worth the effort I would say. The mountain that greeted us at the end of the trail.

Our destination, the giant post with carvings.Nice place, do not miss it when you are here.

The next place is Mui-O fishing village. we took a bus down the winding road. The were stalls selling all kinds of seafood.

Travelers said this place is pretty with the house on stilt with the traditional fishing village taste to it.

However the whole sight did not appeal to the majority of our group who grew up beside fishing village...

I saw starfish and was tempted to get one. flysheep stopped me and warned me the starfish may rot, not suitable for keeping. I gave up on the idea.

We completed the tour in 15mins and got back to the bus stop. the next bus comes in 45mins time. we were devastated. but the station master came to the rescue by scheduling another bus in 15mins time. we happily left the fishing village for the cable car back to kowloon.

Hong Kong Trip 2011 - Day 1b

Coming out of the cable car, there was a long line of shop selling interesting stuff before reaching the Great Buddha. and why wouldn't they? there are so many potential customers like us!

Hmm, it was bubble festival and bubbles were everywhere using this machine to mass product.

 The big entrance.

Some guardians keeping look out for the area.

At the bottom of the hill glancing upwards to the Buddha makes my knee slightly weaker.

Halfway through the climbing, pausing for breath. despite panting and gasping, I pretended the short stop was to take breathtaking photos, nothing more than that.

Alas, the top! angels offering to the Giant Buddha

We went inside the Buddha for a short tour but no photos allowed.

The way down was a breeze but we all needed food to replenish our energy. next stop, lunch!