Hong Kong, a metropolitan, an international financial hub, paradise for shopaholics, famed for cuisines, previously the Hollywood of Chinese movies… all these factors form an unique character of this city and attracts lots of tourists.
After this trip, I have changed many opinions on HK positively. It is more organized and disciplined than I thought. People, mostly are friendly. The transportation system is absolutely efficient. Local foods are reasonably priced. The drawback was the hotel rooms are far too expensive.
There are not many sights to see. Am not interested with the temples, no spectacular sceneries… but the suburban like former fishing village Tai-O was attractive with its personality.
Foods were good in general. A bowl of noodle under EUR1 is still available; some exotic restaurants tucked in narrow lanes secretly only be known to local people; snacks and desserts can be found anywhere… international cuisines, you name it, you get it. My stomach got no chance to feel hunger throughout the trip.
Shopping… international signature boutiques flagship stores studded mostly at Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. Lots of variety and the demand was strong. Customers have to queue up patiently outside LV store waiting for their shopping spree!
Compare to Lan Kwai Fong where pubs filled with executives after works at Central, I prefer SOHO at stone throw away. It has more character and wider choices.
My trip wouldn’t be so memorable without the assistance and hospitality of my local friends Jimmy, Ivan & Tung. Thanks again! I will definitely visit again!
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| Hong Kong - space is scarce, buildings are getting taller. |
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| Street view at Central. |
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| Hong Kong's 1st 茶餐厅-兰芳园. Crowded! |
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| Delicious dim sum at 莲香楼. Was funny and pressured - people stand beside the diners waiting for them to finish their meal and grab their seats. |
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| 老字号莲香楼 |
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| Bank of China - One of my favourite architectures in HK. Clean and elegant. |
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| We saw Serena Williams (famous tennis player). She was alone and walked straight to the jewelry & watch shop in front. Very casual dressing. |
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| Anti narcotic campaign. |
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| The night view of HK is really beautiful when all buildings light up competing to be the most gorgeous. |
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| HK's tallest building - International Financial Center (IFC) - my favourite too. |
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| Louis Vuitton outlet at Tsim Sha Tsui, customers were queueing up patiently. What makes people so crazy about LV? |
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| Temple Street has many stalls selling immitation goods, some food hawkers and a few nightclubs in 80's feel. |
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| Unforgetable BBQ and hotpot dinner at 鸿福. Extreme good atmosphere though charcoal smoke filled the whole room. |
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| 鸿福 is small but the tables spreaded and occupied the entire alley. Many celebraties left their foot prints here. |
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| Tai-O 大澳 was a fishing village formerly. Clean, has many local snacks and fresh seafood. |
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| A paiting on the bridge at Tai-O. |
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| Preserved seafood for sale. |
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| Delicious grilled squid, fish eggs, dried shrimps. |
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| Preserved seafood. |
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| An old house at Tai-O. |
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| Drying fish eggs. |
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| Very expensive! |
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| This old papa danced while grilling the squids, his unique attraction. |
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| Salted fish. |
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| Duck egg yolks. |
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| Deco (Chinese caligraphy) on the door. |
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| Ivan, Leon and Tung - had a drink at this riverside cafe. |
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| We bought these fresh supply and brought to a restaurant preparing dinner for us. |
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| Don't know the name of this shell, but delicious - just boiled it. |
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| Jimmy presented this flower balloon to us at the airport. |
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| Local snack at Mong Kok 旺角. We swept a lot of food into our stomach. |
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| A view at Mong Kok. Crowded! |
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| The cheapest transportation mode in HK, only HKD2 per ride. Efficient. |
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| 海味街, Jimmy helped me to choose and buy lots of preserved seafood here. |
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| Tung - his 25th birthday on 24-Jan. Happy Birthday!!! |
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| Me & Jimmy, a very good person as commented by Leon. |
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| Bo, Ivan, me, Leon & Tung. We had a good dinner and drinking session on our last night in HK at SOHO. The restaurant owner - a Nepalese lady was super kind. |
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| 3am at HK Airport, no one else but us. Very tired and sleepy. |
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| 8:35am. Leaving HK... |
