26. Travel to Hong Kong

Completed: 07/30/2014

Hong Kong has intrigued me since my family started watching Hong Kong dramas. The food, culture, and eclectic mix of old and new concentrated in one city made this a must-visit destination for me. I had the privilege to visit this popular tourist destination as a part of a summer study tour I organized for my work, which incorporated farm visits and volunteering in different areas around Hong Kong. In this post, I'll focus on our free day of exploration of the big city. Thanks to our personal guides (fellow Hong Kong workcampers Stephanie and Anson), we were able to squeeze in many tourist attractions as well as more authentic places that locals frequent on our free day.

 Elderly getting their Tai Chi on in a local park 

We woke up at 6:30am to conquer the city of Hong Kong. Our first stop was to get an Octopus card for all our transportation needs (these are also good at some shops like 7-11 or eateries too). We then headed out to the Victoria Peak tram. The tram ride was very enjoyable, especially as it climbed up the mountain at a steep incline. It was so steep, in fact, that I remember my body pressing hard against the back of my seat as we inched up the mountain.

Look how inclined we are on the tram to Victoria Peak!

 

At the top, we enjoyed breakfast at a chain breakfast place, Tsui Wah. After a cheap set meal of soupy noodles, eggs and toast, we walked the loop trail, where we got to see many bugs (thanks to Ty and Felicia for their knowledge of the unique creatures we encountered on this trail) as well as a 360 view of the city.
 

Condensed milk bun that Tsui Wah is known for

After our adventure at the top, we took a double decker bus ride down to the city. We were lucky enough to sit at the front seats on the top deck of the bus for an unobstructed view of the downhill action. This activity was certainly a winner for us all, as the fast ride down the windy mountain on narrow roads certainly made for the most exhilarating bus ride we've ever been on.

Concrete truck and double decker bus held up traffic at one point because of they were stuck by the tight curves

When we arrived in Central, back in the heart of the city, our first stop was to an authentic dim sum place that Stephanie's grandfather eats at every day (we ran into him when we were there). We had to share a table with another family, who were quite friendly. This is one of the traditional dim sum restaurants with the carts that go by for you to select dishes. I'm surprised the carts had room to move because it was so crowded in there.

 

  Business is booming for this restaurant

After eating, we went to the Soho region where we traveled on the world's longest escalator (it is also referred to as a travelator). So long, in fact, that we chose not to ride the full 20-minute length to the top and decided to travel down to our next destination, a milk tea spot. We then stopped for egg tarts before heading to the harbor for a ride across on the Star Ferry.

 

Heading back down the mountain after getting off the longest escalator

On the Star Ferry to cross islands (Hong Kong to Kowloon)

Once we got to the Kowloon side of the harbor, we went to look for local snacks that we could take home as souvenirs for our family and friends back home. After going through a shopping complex, a mooncake shop, a supermarket, and a tea place, we called it a day with the omiyage. 

 

 Mango drink from Hui Lau Shan, refreshing and exciting for the taste buds

One of the many outdoor shopping areas

 

Our timing was perfect; it was just about the time to head back to the harbor to Tsim Sha Tsui to catch the laser show that happens nightly at 8:00pm. Although the harbor looked nice at night, the well-promoted night show left much to be desired. There are supposedly twenty or so buildings that participate in this light show, but we only counted about two or three that actually lit up to the rhythm of the music. The rest are just lit the same the entire time. But it was nice to view the harbor at night anyway.

 

Nice night scenery

 

All in all, a very satisfying free day hit all the hotspots I wanted to, and then some, thanks to the suggestion of the local workcampers who graciously took us around. So gracious, in fact, that the day we went out was actually the birthday of one of our workcampers, Stephanie. I'm so glad that I got to experience not only the touristy side of Hong Kong, but travel around to different parts of the island to understand it more than just the bustling city that I knew it to be. To have done things like harvested rice, lived in basic sheltering, and shared ten days with local Hong Kongers as well as people from home, I really couldn't ask for a better Hong Kong experience.