The weather has been a factor this week. Today, March 14, is the first time we saw the sun. But I don't really care. I'm in Hong Kong! You deal with it and make the most of it.
During my previous trip, I saw a big Buddha in the middle of a lake in Hyderabad, India. We will try to see a bigger one in Lantao. More on that later.
During my previous trip, I saw a big Buddha in the middle of a lake in Hyderabad, India. We will try to see a bigger one in Lantao. More on that later.
I usually espoused independent travel and have a disdain for tour groups. But in places like this, tours seem a better option and they have strong advantages, too.
Kowloon, 9 Dragons
We took a Big Bus Tour, a double decker, open top, hop-on, hop-off bus, with recorded narration, to see all the sections of this city. So, it isn't really a tour; you still get off and be independent, but with set transportation routes. Starting on the Kowlon side (mainland), we rode down Nathan Road, the main thoroughfare, passing through Jordan and Mongkok, passing the Ladies Market and Temple market. It's a god way to get a lay of the land. We will visit markets in the area later.
It's an interesting mix of fancy skyscraper apartments and working class neighborhoods, making Hong Kong affordable for its citizens.
One thing about the city, it s compact and has 2 million citizens, yet there is not heavy traffic. Everyone walks, takes the subway, ferry, or bus. My city of Austin, approaching 2 million population, could learn a thing or two about mass transit from Hong Kong.
We took a Big Bus Tour, a double decker, open top, hop-on, hop-off bus, with recorded narration, to see all the sections of this city. So, it isn't really a tour; you still get off and be independent, but with set transportation routes. Starting on the Kowlon side (mainland), we rode down Nathan Road, the main thoroughfare, passing through Jordan and Mongkok, passing the Ladies Market and Temple market. It's a god way to get a lay of the land. We will visit markets in the area later.
One thing about the city, it s compact and has 2 million citizens, yet there is not heavy traffic. Everyone walks, takes the subway, ferry, or bus. My city of Austin, approaching 2 million population, could learn a thing or two about mass transit from Hong Kong.
Next we go to the top of one of the top 10 tallest buildings in the world, the International Commerce Centre, 484 meters high. Overlooking Victoria Harbour and all directions, the Sky100 observation deck provides great views of the city. At that point, although cloudy, we could see everything. The elevator takes you up 100 floors in 60 seconds.
We didn't stay in the Ritz-Carlton (floors 102-118). Maybe next time.
Central, Stanley, Aberdeen
The next day, we crossed Victoria Harbour on a Star Ferry to ride the bus on the Central side. Central is the short name for Hong Kong Island, the main banking and commerce sector.
Still cloudy and colder, we see downtown, but just within a few minutes, we are on the other side of the island to see Repulse Bay and Stanley Markets. Its a much slower tempo than the city and beautiful sea vistas, even in the mist. Markets are what I missed in India. Endless stalls of people marketing their wares. This is where the bargaining is. I was looking at a cat figurine, and, not entirely interested in it, the shop owner kept going down on the price. Maybe that's the key, don't show interest, even if you are, you can get deals. After a quick dim sum lunch and a San Miguel Light, made in Hong Kong, we are back on the bus.
Further down the road, we arrive in Aberdeen, another juxtaposition of old and new Hong Kong. High rise condos overlook the bay. In the bay, the Tanka people live in sampan, "junks", and house boats.
These fisherman and families live in these boats and live traditional, "old ways" lifestyles. We ride a sampan boat among the fishing village. On to downtown and the ferry back to our hotel in Kowloon, and fish and chips dinner at the Old Monk cafe. The Crown still shows her influence here.
Lantau
Lantao Island is the home of the new airport, Disneyland, and the Po Lin Monastery, high in the mountains, reached only by a cable car ropeway. The largest Buddha in the world is there also. Nearby, another fishing village and market.
Remember the thing about tours? On this day, my birthday, Sunday March 13, hundreds of people were visiting Lantao, because the cable car system was to undergo maintenance for the next 5 days. The island itself is easily accessible via the MTR subway. But there were massive queues for the cable car entrance. Our tour credentials enabled us to bypass it all and get into our gondola car quickly.
It also enabled us to ride in a "Crystal Cabin", with a glass bottom. Organized tour, yet independent. That's the way I like it. What I didn't like was the weather. Rising up the mountain, we soar into the clouds, until nearing the end when we finally get to see land. It's about a 25 minute trip, ending at Ngong Ping village. More shops and restaurants up here. But first we meet our tour guide and take a bus to the Tai O fishing village.
The houses in Tai O are all stilt buildings on the water. Of course there are more markets and food stalls to check out. We board a small boat and tour the village to see how these people live. Back to the markets, the main foods are dried seafood snacks. That didn't sound too appealing to me. But one thing I needed to try was some street food, so I had some Jumbo Big Big Fish balls. Straight out of the boiling pot, to a stick.
The real attraction back in Ngong Ping is the Po Lin Monastery and Giant Buddha. You climb 268 steps to reach the statue. But on this day, the fog and mist were so dense we could barely see it, unfortunately. And since no cable cars are running, we can't go another day. I guess we'll need a return visit one day.
This part of the tour over, and a little shopping finished, we enjoy the cable car ride back in the fog with some new friends from Singapore and Chile. They say, visit Singapore, but not as a sole destination, pair it with Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam.
We had planned on a dinner on the 39th floor hotel restaurant with a skyline view, but the fog was so thick, we just walked down the street for Cantonese Tai Hing Roast Restaurant. I had roast goose, pork and chicken on rice with bok choy.
Three long, fun packed days in the books, we really have a flavor for this town. I highly recommend visiting and join the Big Bus tours to make sightseeing easier.
So long for now. Next up, Victoria Peak, markets, symphony of lights.
The next day, we crossed Victoria Harbour on a Star Ferry to ride the bus on the Central side. Central is the short name for Hong Kong Island, the main banking and commerce sector.
Further down the road, we arrive in Aberdeen, another juxtaposition of old and new Hong Kong. High rise condos overlook the bay. In the bay, the Tanka people live in sampan, "junks", and house boats.
These fisherman and families live in these boats and live traditional, "old ways" lifestyles. We ride a sampan boat among the fishing village. On to downtown and the ferry back to our hotel in Kowloon, and fish and chips dinner at the Old Monk cafe. The Crown still shows her influence here.Lantau
Lantao Island is the home of the new airport, Disneyland, and the Po Lin Monastery, high in the mountains, reached only by a cable car ropeway. The largest Buddha in the world is there also. Nearby, another fishing village and market.
Remember the thing about tours? On this day, my birthday, Sunday March 13, hundreds of people were visiting Lantao, because the cable car system was to undergo maintenance for the next 5 days. The island itself is easily accessible via the MTR subway. But there were massive queues for the cable car entrance. Our tour credentials enabled us to bypass it all and get into our gondola car quickly.
The houses in Tai O are all stilt buildings on the water. Of course there are more markets and food stalls to check out. We board a small boat and tour the village to see how these people live. Back to the markets, the main foods are dried seafood snacks. That didn't sound too appealing to me. But one thing I needed to try was some street food, so I had some Jumbo Big Big Fish balls. Straight out of the boiling pot, to a stick.
The real attraction back in Ngong Ping is the Po Lin Monastery and Giant Buddha. You climb 268 steps to reach the statue. But on this day, the fog and mist were so dense we could barely see it, unfortunately. And since no cable cars are running, we can't go another day. I guess we'll need a return visit one day.
This part of the tour over, and a little shopping finished, we enjoy the cable car ride back in the fog with some new friends from Singapore and Chile. They say, visit Singapore, but not as a sole destination, pair it with Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam.
We had planned on a dinner on the 39th floor hotel restaurant with a skyline view, but the fog was so thick, we just walked down the street for Cantonese Tai Hing Roast Restaurant. I had roast goose, pork and chicken on rice with bok choy.
Three long, fun packed days in the books, we really have a flavor for this town. I highly recommend visiting and join the Big Bus tours to make sightseeing easier.
So long for now. Next up, Victoria Peak, markets, symphony of lights.
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