3 days in Hong Kong
Arrived early in Hong Kong and was around 8.00AM by the time we got to the hotel. We took the airport shuttle - $90 HK$ pp discounted to $140 for two. From the airport express station we took the free airport express shuttle to 'The Salisbury'. As it was a Saturday, we could not check in early. Since the YMCA is attached to the hotel, they offered us free shower passes.
SKIP this offer. We succumbed to the temptation to wash away the dirt after a 14-hour flight. While the shower facilities were nothing to complain about, the sight of half-naked and fully naked Chinese grandmoms still give me nightmares.
After suffering through 2 airline meals, we decided on some comfort food, Indian style. I was not in a very adventurous mood and wanted something familiar and vegetarian. So, we decided on the Woodlands restaurant. It was only a short 15 minute walk. But combined with the Hong Kong heat and a confusing map in the Frommers guide, it took us a while to figure out the place. We got there around 11.45 AM and the place does not open until noon. So, we did some shopping in the mall that the restaurant was located in. We were one of the first customers and the place soon filled up. The food was terrible and this place is definitely worth a miss.
We walked along the Tsim Shat Tsui promenade and got back to the hotel. Luckily, our room was ready and we hit the sack. Although our reservation was for a non-smoking room, the room reeked of cigartte smoke. A call to the front desk was of no use as they were all booked up for the weekend.
Day 2: We had planned to go up to Victoria Peak. Although it was a cloudy day, it was our one full day in Hong Kong. I had missed going to this place on my previous visits. We decided to do the walking tour outlined in the Frommer's guide. We took the ferry over to the Hong Kong side. We meandered our way through the financial district, walking past the IFC2 mall, the Bank of China tower and other skyscrapers. My Tokina 11-16mm lens was put to good use. It being a Sunday, all the Fillipino workers were out in full force enjoying their day off, having one giant picnic on the streets. By the time we hit the Victoria Peak tram station, we were exhausted and decided to take a break. There was a lone shop right across from the church open and we got ourselves a cold drink. Within seconds, the skies opened up. And from nowhere, loads of people turned up to take shelter from the rain. We went from being the only 2 people in the shop to sharing the space with a huge crowd. Once the showers stopped, the crowd melted away.
We got off our behinds and made our way to the tram station. We purchased 2 two-way tickets to the peak, but did not purchase the observation tower tickets. Good choice coz by the time we hit the peak, it was all cloudy and foggy. We had lunch at the DeliFrance at the peak. Good options for vegetarians too.
For dinner, we decided to try an Indian restaurant. Can't remember the name, but it was pretty good food.
Day 3: Po-Lin monastery. Took the MTR to the Lantau island and the cable car to the top of the mountain. Beautiful views of the airport on the way up. but, it was a hot,hot day. By the time we reached the island, we were exhausted. We decided to try the monastery lunch. We chose the deluxe option..pricey, but gets u a table with tablecloth and such. Contrary to reviews, the food was blah.
We took a turn around the monastery garden and then set out to climb the steps leading to the Buddha. Buying the lunch gets you free access to the museum housed in the base of the statue. Highlight of the musuem - bone fragment of the original Buddha and the air-conditioning.
On the way back, we took the bus to the MTR station. Passed through some cute Chinese towns.
Got back to the hotel, picked up our bags and headed to the airport - free shuttle, MTR and on the plane home.
SKIP this offer. We succumbed to the temptation to wash away the dirt after a 14-hour flight. While the shower facilities were nothing to complain about, the sight of half-naked and fully naked Chinese grandmoms still give me nightmares.
After suffering through 2 airline meals, we decided on some comfort food, Indian style. I was not in a very adventurous mood and wanted something familiar and vegetarian. So, we decided on the Woodlands restaurant. It was only a short 15 minute walk. But combined with the Hong Kong heat and a confusing map in the Frommers guide, it took us a while to figure out the place. We got there around 11.45 AM and the place does not open until noon. So, we did some shopping in the mall that the restaurant was located in. We were one of the first customers and the place soon filled up. The food was terrible and this place is definitely worth a miss.
We walked along the Tsim Shat Tsui promenade and got back to the hotel. Luckily, our room was ready and we hit the sack. Although our reservation was for a non-smoking room, the room reeked of cigartte smoke. A call to the front desk was of no use as they were all booked up for the weekend.
Day 2: We had planned to go up to Victoria Peak. Although it was a cloudy day, it was our one full day in Hong Kong. I had missed going to this place on my previous visits. We decided to do the walking tour outlined in the Frommer's guide. We took the ferry over to the Hong Kong side. We meandered our way through the financial district, walking past the IFC2 mall, the Bank of China tower and other skyscrapers. My Tokina 11-16mm lens was put to good use. It being a Sunday, all the Fillipino workers were out in full force enjoying their day off, having one giant picnic on the streets. By the time we hit the Victoria Peak tram station, we were exhausted and decided to take a break. There was a lone shop right across from the church open and we got ourselves a cold drink. Within seconds, the skies opened up. And from nowhere, loads of people turned up to take shelter from the rain. We went from being the only 2 people in the shop to sharing the space with a huge crowd. Once the showers stopped, the crowd melted away.
We got off our behinds and made our way to the tram station. We purchased 2 two-way tickets to the peak, but did not purchase the observation tower tickets. Good choice coz by the time we hit the peak, it was all cloudy and foggy. We had lunch at the DeliFrance at the peak. Good options for vegetarians too.
For dinner, we decided to try an Indian restaurant. Can't remember the name, but it was pretty good food.
Day 3: Po-Lin monastery. Took the MTR to the Lantau island and the cable car to the top of the mountain. Beautiful views of the airport on the way up. but, it was a hot,hot day. By the time we reached the island, we were exhausted. We decided to try the monastery lunch. We chose the deluxe option..pricey, but gets u a table with tablecloth and such. Contrary to reviews, the food was blah.
We took a turn around the monastery garden and then set out to climb the steps leading to the Buddha. Buying the lunch gets you free access to the museum housed in the base of the statue. Highlight of the musuem - bone fragment of the original Buddha and the air-conditioning.
On the way back, we took the bus to the MTR station. Passed through some cute Chinese towns.
Got back to the hotel, picked up our bags and headed to the airport - free shuttle, MTR and on the plane home.
posted by dharu at
2:18 AM
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