Presenting a photojournal of our second holiday in Hong Kong...
Maximum leg room
How does the Caucasian endure the flight???
Our first and prob the only time taking Jetstar
Not that I rather spend more but I read an article on ST about some airfares being cheaper or only slightly higher than budget airfares during promos if you factor in the airport tax which is higher for budget airlines. Plus you don't get food, not even plain water (unless you pay) and for the amount (or lack) of leg room in the plane, I'd rather pay slightly more.
This time we booked the hotel and air tix on our own so we don't have anyone to pick us up. We bought a tourist card that allows you unlimited rides on the MTR for 3 days and 2-way travel from the airport via the airport express train to the city. Generally a good experience, the train was fast, seats were very comfortable, but you got to lug your baggages from the MTR all the way, by foot to the hotel.
The view from the airport express
Signboard that tells you how far you are from the next stop
We're reaching.....
For this trip, my itinerary included a long list of food recommended by foodies and I was quite excited about trying out the food that I had read so much about. (source:
http://www.hktourismboard.com/seasia/snackguide/intro.html)
Our first food stop: YUNG KEE RESTAURANT
Best 'petan' I've ever tasted
This place was recommended for its roast goose but we found it so-so only. The roast goose we stumbled upon during our first trip was better but we can't remember whether we had it at near our hotel or somewhere near Ladies' Market and cos it's one of those restaurants we "stumbled" upon when we were 'dying of hunger', we didn't notice the name or address of the restaurant. We saw people at the table in front of us eating petan and the petan looked extremely delectable so we ordered a portion of it and it was reaaaaaaaallly good. I've never tasted petan like this before.
Then we went to the world's longest outdoor escalator that was built to ease traffic congestion.
The escalator is 800m long but there are breaks in between to allow you to get off. We were bored after the first stretch and quickly got off it.
Sights taken from the escalator
The apartment blocks look so oooooold...i feel so fortunate to live in Singapore...
Tea break was at Law Fu Kee (sounds like Lau Fu Zi hoh)
The boss came to take our order but I was busy reading my research findings to determine what dish to order so we told him to take our order later. He left us alone but not before giving us a dirty look and a frustrated sigh. Then my humorous hubby said I should have pointed to the poster stuck right in the middle of the shop.
Do you see the mini fan above the table?
The boutiques at Central...
I didn't buy anything from the boutiques...not even from the malls (except HnM)...I stuck to value-for-money buys at street markets throughout the whole trip cos my philosophy is: the point of going to HK to shop is not just for great looking clothes, which we also can find in Singapore (if you know where to go) but to find great looking clothes with great prices.
Omigosh!!!!
That's close to S$4m...
The $40m apartments behind the billboard (the small buildings on the topmost part of the photo)
View from Victoria's Peak
Supper: UNDER BRIDGE SPICY CRAB
A dish recommended by a warm & friendly uncle waiter from the restaurant
Signature Typhoon Shelter Spicy Crab
The crabs are imported from Southeast Asia, each weighing at least six katis. Once customers have made their choice, the crab is slaughtered and stir-fried with Japanese dried scallops, dried sole fish, cardamom, gingko nuts and spices like minced garlic and dried chillies. The spiciness can be adjusted to the customer’s taste. (source:
http://www.hktourismboard.com/seasia/snackguide/intro.html)
Verdict: Finger-licking good
Salt & Pepper Mantis Shrimps
The shrimps are about the length of an arm but only one to two thirds of its parts can be eaten. These shrimps cost $25 each (if I remember correctly). Verdict: Worth every single cent and clamouring for more. Never tasted anything like this before. Ever.
Total bill for these 3 dishes: S$116
This is our most expensive meal not just during this trip, but thru'out all our honeymoons but it was...worth every single cent. Every dish was e.x.c.e.l.l.e.n.t.
Day 2
Breakfast: Lan Fong Yuen
Silk stocking tea (Si Wah Nai Cha)
Pork Chop Bun
We felt that the tea was so-so but the pork chop bun I tell you...the buns were well toasted with butter and the pork chop was well marinated...me and hubby chomped down a total of 3 of these...very satisfying breakfast!
Repulse Bay Beach: One of the 41 beaches in Hong Kong. This beach is supposedly one of the most popular beach there. The ride up the winding roads was fun, the scenery and billion-dollar bungalows were awesome but the sand was big and coarse, the waters was worse than East Coast. So, go for the scenery and experience but not if you're looking for white sandy beaches with fine sand and beautiful clear waters.
Some of the apartments right in front of the beach
We, the beach, the hills and the apartments
The scary ride down the hill
It was scary cos the roads were precarious and narrow but the drivers sped like nobody's business. Even when there were oncoming vehicles, they could maneuvere out of the way almost miraculously. If this was Singapore, sure kena fined like mad.
Old vs New
Somewhere in Central or Sheung Wan.
This photo was taken from one of the pillars in an MTR station. Without the model of course. The moment I saw it, I thought of Heli who I address as mei. So I thought it was the perfect backdrop for a poster for her. Doesn't it look like the advertisement for one of Jack Neo's movie? Mei ah, the part-time barista, detective and stand-in for liang popo.
My fav snack: Smelly beancurd
Our worst dinner: Claypot rice
The oyster cake from the same store that nearly saved the day
Day 3
Olympic torch?
Nah...just fooling around outside our hotel room
Breakfast at our fav dim sum restaurant
Table with drawer
Most of the eateries there have such tables. A clever invention indeed...
Yan Wo Soy Bean Shop (Hubby's fav eatery)
Dou Hua
Pan-fried toufu with fish paste. Unforgettable....
Pre-wrapped bouquets at Flower Street
That's slightly less than S$10. No wonder HK-ers can afford to be romantic every other day...
King of Melons
Roast goose: One of our fav dish
Waffle balls
Thank U lao gong for sacrificing your mekong catfish in BKK and for bringing me on this trip. Most of the time, the sun was blazing hot and the humidity was almost stifling, yet you trudged the streets with me every single day to scour for pretty clothes and bags with me. We went sight-seeing and shopped till my heels felt like there was hundred of mini soldiers hammering at them relentlessly and I know you must have felt worse cos your thighs were aching from your workout at the gym before we left for HK. I really appreciate you for all these things. Most imptly, thank God for providing for our honeymoons, for bringing us there and back safely and for all the things that we've enjoyed there. Even for the yucky claypot. At least I've gone for "HK's claypot pilgrimage" and tasted what they term as 'fragrant'.
