Hong Kong

As I finally seem to have sorted out the blog, rather than now post all days, thought it better to do a summary and include photos.

Our first stop was Hong Kong. Highlights included:

VICTORIA PEAK - beautiful views, and the haze wasn't too bad. Ate lunch at Mak's Noodles - apparently Mak invented wonton noodles, or so the newspaper clippings around the walls claimed, and it is recommended by the Michelin star people. Anyway, it was great. The tram ride up to the peak is amazing, and the houses do look like they are built at an angle.

NGONG PING VILLAGE and the giant Bhudda on the island of Lantau - yes, we did walk the 260 steps up to the top, and it was a hot and humid day. We also walked on to see the Wisdom Path, a set of very tall timber posts set out in the shape of an infinity sign (every maths teachers dream display). We also ate a vegetarian lunch at Po Lin monastery (well, some of it); rode the glass bottom cable car for 5.7km/ 25 minutes - amazing and we saw the fishing village of Tai O.

STANLEY, Aberdeen and the eastern coast of Hong Kong Island- very pretty area around Stanley and Repulse Bay. Very windy road to get there! Aberdeen not so interesting anymore, there are still a few sampans around, but not many. Stanley has by far the nicest market in Hong Kong.

Deep Water Bay, taken from the bus

Stanley foreshore

FOOD - apart from those already mentioned, we found Tim Ho Wan - the cheapest Michelin star restaurant in the world. We didn't have to wait even 5 minutes for a table, had the good fortune to sit next to a mother and daughter who had lived in Sydney for years, and helped us with suggestions from the menu. The food was delightful, total cost about AUD$11!!

I must admit that a lot of the time we weren't very hungry, it was just too hot.

MARKETS - visited Temple Street Night Market, Ladies Market, Flower Market (all in the Mongkok district), Western Market, Stanley Market. Many stalls sell the same things, but Stanley had good quality and a greater variety. Did a little buying, and coped okay with the currency.

TRANSPORT - as this part of our journey was done without a guide, we had to manage the local transport ourselves. We managed the ferry without any problems at all, buses were okay too. The MTR (train) took a bit more getting used to, but we did master it, even managing to change lines. The octopus card made things very easy, and getting to the airport was a breeze. The Airport Express train has a terminal in Kowloon, here you can purchase your train ticket, check your luggage, and get seat allocation. Then just have to go to the airport and find the right gate.

Tai O fishing village - fish out to dry in the sun. Not hungry!!

OTHER - these are things that just didn't fit into one of the other categories:

Symphony of Lights - saw the light show over HK harbor on the first night. Okay, but not super.

Walked along Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, along the foreshore, including Avenue of the Stars. This is just like the stars in the pavement in Hollywood, but for Asian stars.

Spent a few hours wandering around the Museum of Art - some very good displays. The age of some is just amazing.

On our last morning, we walked down to the Bird garden. Locals bring their caged pet birds down and hang the cage from hooks in the trees. The birds get outside time to chat with other birds about feathery stuff, while their owners catch upon human news!!

Explored the western district of downtown HK, including: Hollywood Road, Cat Street, Man Mo Temple. Caught the Ding Tin Tram (we can do any type of HK transport now!!)