I arrived early Saturday evening with my winter cardigan on that I had been wearing on the plane. That quickly came off the moment I walked out of the airport to the bus. After buying a ticket in almost complete silence from the lady behind the counter, I navigated my way to the bus I needed to get to my hostel. Quick but much needed shower then dinner. I had a quick chat with the super unfriendly guy at reception and he pointed me to this Hong Kong Restaurant. I headed off in search for my first taste of Hong Kong cuisine. On route I found a games arcade which was full of various games machines all very brightly coloured!

Dinner consisted of prawns in OK sauce on noodles with a side of choi sum and some bizarre green iced drink. Delicious.

 

Sunday. Given that I had forgotten to buy my octopus card at the airport yesterday, I walked what City Mapper called a 33 minute walk to the Museum of History. Maybe I took a wrong turn somewhere but an hour later I rocked up to join the queue to buy my ticket. It’s a good museum with some interesting stories from the opium war and what Hong Kong was like in the 60s and 70s.

After a couple of hours it was lunch time and I realised I hadn’t eaten yet so headed out to find some more tasty treats. I looked around and ended up next to the bins at a Vietnamese restaurant. Mare.

After lunch I took a stroll around Kowloon park. Jet lag was beginning to hit so I sat down and started to read. I was surrounded by Indonesian and Filipino girls who were maids in Hong Kong and have the day off on a Sunday so they took to the parks to relax and chat. And giggle. Lots of giggling. I eventually moved to a quieter spot where after 20 minutes I was accosted (and I mean accosted) by a bizarre Asian lady who asked for a photo. I figured she meant of her and her husband in the park.

No. She meant of me because naturally I look like a local(?!). She must have taken at least 10 photos of different poses including various hugging situations which even writing about I am cringing over.

A very unwelcome experience. I did however spot this cute dog and these cute guys painting.

Dinner was much more enjoyable. I met a friend of a girl at work who was able to take me around and try some other HK food. I tried congee with a thousand year eggs and noodles with dumplings. Both delish. We also had radish cake which apparently is actually turnip. It was good either way.

Our post dinner activity was the Symphony of Lights. I am glad I saw it but it’s not the most exciting thing in the world so I will end the day there.

 

Monday. Today I was meeting another friend of the girl at work and although having lived in HK his whole life he had never seen the Big Buddha so we headed off there. Lots of steps up to the Buddha though. Not enjoyable in the heat either. But I made it and lived to tell the tale.

 

There was also a monastery on the site which we headed to too. It was pretty and very ornate and had a service going on when we were there so I don’t have many photos but it was a fun thing to experience.

I also tried dried squid. Salty and chewy. Yummy. Lots of bizarre looking creatures in the market too. For example this happy fellow:

 

The view from the top of the Buddha steps:

Tuesday.

Today I slept in and it was wonderful. After asking my good friend #backpackchiu where was good to go, she suggested I went to the Hello Kitty secret garden. When I googled this glorious concept I found there was a restaurant and given that it was basically lunch time now I found myself off on a bus for a much anticipated visit. Oh my, I was not disappointed.

What an enjoyable place.

I then headed up the peak. Admittedly today was not the best day to go as it was hazy but I felt I had to do it so I waited in the queue for the steepest tram ride of my life. It was like a roller coaster but without the fact you go down again. Crazy. Although obviously I did go down an hour or so later.

Steven, my Big Buddha friend took me to a local Cantonese cafe for dinner. Best sweet and sour pork I’ve ever had. The British Chinese are doing it so so wrong.

Tomorrow I am heading over the boarder. I’m hoping I manage to pick up my train tickets in my non existent mandarin but we will see. If I can’t I’m stuck in HK. Which wouldn’t be such a bad thing but I’d need to invest in a portable air conditioning unit so wish me luck!

So after three 3 days and 4 nights in HK I’m sadly due to leave. I say sadly but I’m happy to be walking out of here in solid form and not have melted in my time here. It’s been 28 degrees and, as far as I can tell, 90%+ humidity and although fun, I don’t think I will rush back unless I can be assured of a gentle breeze.

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