FINAL WEEK in HK #2

AUGUST 24

Having missed the dinner with my old friends in hk because of some family plan, I wouldn't pass the chance to meet with them for drinks! One Peking Road became the spot for the evening because dinenr plan was set on level six at "Chao Inn" and the drinking spot Aqua, suggested by big eye gal, was located on the mezzanine of level 29 atop One Peking Road (so technically it's level 30). I've been to Chao Inn on level 6 for dimsum and so I already guessed the view it would offer on the top floor.



HK Cityscape as background


Cityscape of the Hong Kong Island as seen from Kowloon is amazing especially at night-time! The seatings are oriented to provide the perfect view to Victoria Harbour and I must say it's the best place to go for the view. (And I also must say, drinks are nothing to write home about, seriously!)

Champagne

My long time friends Patrick Max Shing Sam and big eye gal were there for the fun and bubbly evening! On our table we got a bottle of Champagne (from Ah Shing: French is more bubbly ;), aqua queen (fruit juices?), vodka limes, gin tonics, and iced water, which all tasted watery except the Champagne!

Thanks to you all for a great evening!!!!!!
And BIGGEST thanks to Sam because you took care of the tap!!!!!!

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HKG -> YYZ

Departure: HKG 15:15
Arrival: YYZ 18:30


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FINAL WEEK in HK #1 - HKU

Graduate House, HKU

Extremely thrilled to accompany big eye gal to Hong Kong University otherwise I wouldn't have an excuse to come to this part of the city. Mini-bus ride from Mongkok to HKU took less than 15 minutes on this speedy(-ing) minibus and weren't we glad we made it to the East Gate without getting sick!

We managed to explore quite a number of buildings as we walked towards the Graduate House up on the hill. Passing through various buildings and places of interests including the Lotus Pond and Sun Yat Sen Plaza.




Lotus Pond at HKU


The best part of course is the student food court. With selections better than any fast-food chains in the city, this student food court serves Chinese, Western and International cuisines completely with an extensive list of desserts!!! The cheapest meal on the menu was the Chicken+Potato with rice that costd HK$10!!!!


Maison Martin Margiela
On Lan Street, Central


After lunch we decided to explore Central so a short mini-bus ride took us close to the nightlife capital of Hong Kong: Lang Kwai Fong (LKF). During the day there wasn't much to expect but at night it became the liveliest spot in town. We continued our window shopping, first stop at the recently opened MMM and we made our way along Des Voeux Road to BAPE, Harvey Nichols for some window shopping!
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Small World

In my final week of vacation in HK, it's purely coincidental to see KK and big eye gal in TST while I was doing my final shopping. I was stuttered without words when I saw big eye gal at LCX this afternoon - simply overjoyed to see familiar faces amongst the crowds on the weekend. Shortly afterward, we arranged to meet up and spent the rest of the evening together, having lots of fun.

With lots of places to show the big eye gal in mind, we explored most of TsimShaTsui in a very quick "tour" - Harbour City, Citygate, Nathan Road, Myranma...shopping heavens. Basically KK and I were dragging big eye gal along even though she was still in jetlag. Then we're off to enjoy yummy vermicelli at 譚仔雲南米線 in Jordan. Plan was to meet with the rest of the group in Lang Kwai Fong in Central. So we decided to bus to the Star Ferry Terminal and took the ferry to Wanchai and met up with ludis at Sogo in Causeway Bay.

Di Vino
73 Wyndham St.

A ride on the tram to Central costs $2 and we arrived in Central on our way to Di Vino. There, with KP, MC, and Johnson, (All studied at Haig!) the seven of us did some catching up over two bottles of wine - White: Veneto Pinot Grigio and Red: Cygnus (Tasca d'Almerita) both from Italy. Big eye gal also tried their Bellini which was made from fresh peach puree. Before we knew it, it's time to call it a night because of the non-24hr subway system. But there's always next time, right? Btw, thanks to MC for picking this wine bar! Especially impressed by their extensive wine list, it was a wonderful evening!
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Final Week in HK

When I am scheduled to fly home one week from today, I need to figure out what I can squeeze into it.
Suggestions are always welcomed! Read more!

Happy Birthday Billy!

Have an awesome trip in San Diego! Read more!

Lantau Island

Lantau Island is the largest island in Hong Kong, where you can find The Chek Lap Kok International Airport, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tian Tan Buddha and Tai O etc. My daytrip destinations were the Tian Tan Buddha and Tai O. Lantau Island used to be accessible only by ferry. Along with the construction of the airport came the Tung Chung MTR subway line, connecting the island to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. From Tung Chung, we took a 1.5hr bus ride and crossed over a few mountains to reach the Giant Buddha at Ngong Ping. (A new cable car service will be in operation this year - Ngong Ping 360 that connects Tung Chung to Ngong Ping)


Tian Tan Buddha


For lunch we had an awesome vegetarian meal in the Po Lin Monastary. After climbing 268 steps to reach the Buddha, under its shadow we took in the breathtaking 360 view of the surrounding, including the Po Lin Monastary and Shek Pik Reservoir.


Tai O - a fishing village


A 10-min bus ride from the Giant Buddha we reached Tai O, aka "Venice of Hong Kong" for the houses in this fishing village are built on stilts along the small river. The most memorable about Tai O is the little "ferry" that used to take people across the river. The 30-sec trip costed 30 cents! Unfortunately the ferry service was replaced by an ugly steel bridge and this "Tai O" experience is documented in books and photographs.


Well-known dimsum in Tai O - 茶果 "Cha Gwoh"
Glutinous rice ball with peanut/sesame filling



Local Specialty - Sun-dried Seafood


Being my very first visit to Tian Tan Buddha the day trip was another memorable experience. From a relatively rural setting Lantau Island has been very well developed with many great infrastructure and facilities. With the touristy addition of Ngong Ping market and cable car, the setting of the Monastary and the Buddha remain very peaceful and serene. My last visit to Tai O dated more than ten years ago, even after the fire in 2000, it is still a very attractive daytripping destination that lives up to its many nicknames - "Venice of HK", "Village on Stilts".


Tian Tan Buddha on Wikipedia
Tai O on Wikipedia

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Happy Birthday Rita!

Do you know?
You're very special to our family.
You always bring laughters
to everybody around you
I am so proud to be your brother!
May your wishes come true!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY and SMILE ALWAYS!
XXXXX
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Happy Birthday Iris!

All the Best Wishes!
You're still a smart 20'mething! haha Read more!

Guangzhou

Covered Walkway at Chen Jia Ci 陳家祠
Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family

Excavated Pavements from Song and Ching
Dynasties on Beijing Road 北京路 which is
now the major shopping street in Guangzhou

Wikipeida on Guangzhou
Google Map Guangzhou
My Guangzhou Photo Album

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Happy Birthday Vivienne!

V~ Watch the video!
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Long Time No See

Jan Lam and Eric Kot of Hong Kong group
"Soft Hard" perform during their
"Long Time No See" concert in Hong Kong

Still exhausted and overjoyed from seeing the Soft Hard Concert this evening (Friday), I got home and started packing right away for a weekend trip to Guangzhou, the largest city in Southern China. We'll take the train bright and early in the morning, which takes a little over one hour. Until Monday, I will post some updates! Wish you all a very good weekend! (The excitement from the concert is keeping me awake at this hour!)

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CheungChau (LongIsland)

Fishing Boats wait in the boat shelter
for end of suspension of fishing period

Day trip to a nearby island Cheung Chau (meaning Long Island).
A 60-min ferry ride from Central takes you to this popular daytripper and sightseeing destination; especially for city dwellers to get away for some fresh air, sunshine, and of course beaches.

Typical residential street

A leisurely walk lets you slow down your pace to experience this little "town". City life is left behind you when you walk through the narrow streets between some three to four-storey low-rises, selling fresh seafood, fruits, snacks, hats, and souvenirs etc.

Of course I took the chance to experience the island on the bike. There isn't a lot of distance to cover, most of the island is only accessible on foot. The "path" takes you from one end of the island to the other side in less than half an hour if you ride fast.

Pak Tai Temple

One of the most remarkable temple I have seen in Hong Kong is this recently renovated Pak Tai Temple with detailed carvings. It is also the location for the Cheung Chau Bun Festival (usually in April or May). "The festival features huge towers covered with buns erected in front of the Pak Tai Temple and a street procession in which costumed children appear to float above the crowds, supported by hidden rods and wires." - DiscoverHongKong

To the neighbouring islands

I can't tell how long it has been since my last visit. Cheung Chau has always been a part of my childhood memory. This visit just informs me that daytripping to the islands is still as fun as I remembered!

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SoftHard X Hello Kitty X McDonald's

SoftHard @ McDonald's in Causeway Bay

Hello Kitty @ McDonald's, Causeway Bay

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