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Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Big busses aren't always the best

Hong Kong is huge and at times overwhelming, but we know there is more to this area than just skyscrapers and Dim Sum, so we decided to take a ride to Stanley, a small town on Hong Kong Island.

We were initially going to take a Hong Kong Big Bus (hop on off type) as these can be a great way to get an audio commentary, and not need to think about which bus to catch and where to catch it.  But on research realised it would have cost us about $70AUD each for the pleasure.  I then looked into doing it in public transport and yes it could be done and for less.



We started with a bus down Nathan road to the ferry terminal where we then embarked on a Star Ferry across the harbour. Next, we passed the hagglers trying to sell Big Bus Tour tickets and walked about 6 minutes to the bus terminal where we caught a double decker to Stanley.


Stanley was basically deserted compared to Central Hong Kong, and this came as a relief. There is not all that much for one to do in this little village however that was fine with us, it has been a few busy days.


We walked along the waterfront and then had some lunch, then continued exploring taking in Blake Pier, Stanley Plaza, The Tin Hau Temple (with a skin of a Tiger on the wall) and the local supermarket.

 




 



An aisle dedicated to rice
According to the note next to the Tiger skin, the beast was shot by a Policeman out the front of the Police Station in 1942.


We then went into the Stanley Market where Katie purchased some scarves.


By now we decided to start our journey back into the big smoke.


We managed to find our bus this time 6X and were also fortunate to get a seat each.  This bus brought us back to the central bus station where we retraced our steps to the ferry terminal, not before having a brief walk along the waterfront.


The sky does have a brown hue, it is smoke and haze.
Just a point of note with regards to the ferry pricing on the "Central / Tsim Sha Tsui Service, when you catch the ferry there is an option of either the upper or lower deck which is then a difference in price.  The upper deck is $2.70HKD and the lower deck is $2.20HKD per person each way (different pricing on weekends, about $1HKD extra each way). Realistically when you convert this price difference into $AUD it works out to be about 50cents.

We then walked back to our hotel via Canton Road, Austin Road and then detoured via Temple Street Night Market which was just starting.  We also noticed there were some 'ladies' in the darkened doorways.


A standard Hong Kong Taxi




Ohh, the transport on the busses and ferries cost less than $10AUS total, for both of us, saving around $130AUD.

Hong Kong is huge. There are more than 7.3 million people living here, each having a story to tell,  things to show, food to share and.... well the list goes on.  Hong Kong, until next time.


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Monday, January 22, 2018

History then time for food.

For those interested, last night we went to bed at 05:00pm and we slept through til this morning, Katie woke at 06:30am and I woke a little before, at 5:45am. We are still a little jetlagged but do feel we have broken the beast.





Today we started with a tour of Hong Kong Museum of History, this is a very well laid out and informative museum and provided us with about two and a half hours of entertainment.  We were expecting to pay a fee for entry, but it was free.

Looking inside a Chinese fishing boat
The museum obviously covered the history of Hong Kong from the geological formations through to recent events like slum fires in the 1960's and then reunification with China.

 
 


In the words of the great man 'Do yourself a favour' and next time in Hong Kong, drop in, it's free, open every day (apart from Tuesday) and is open from 10 till 6.

After finishing at the Museum we walked toward Nathan road and then caught the MTR (subway, or tube). We had about three stops to pass and also the waterway between Kowloon and Central.

The subway is efficient here and has arrows painted next to the doors so those getting off have a clear path and those waiting are instructed to stand to the sides. We waited at the platform, which looked about 500 meters long and the train arrived, it was packed. I thought surely these people would get off and make some room but no hardly anyone got off, the others on the platform managed to squeeze on the train. Katie and I looked at each other and I said, nope this is not going to happen.  There was no way we could have fit on the train. I said let's wait for the next one surely they all can't be as packed as this one.

About two minutes later the next train approached, we moved forward to our assigned arrows.  This train was packed but not as bad as the last, also people got off making room for us.

We hopped on and took the few stops to central.  It was quick, it was packed and it is something I am glad I don't have to do often.

Happy to be off the train.
From here we went to the start of our Hong Kong Foodie Tour, Central & Sheung Wan.

The tour was run by Yammy and Ed from Hong Kong Foodie Tasting Tours, they led us up and down the streets of this area which in our opinion is much nicer than the Kowloon area.  Whilst on tour we visited 6 different establishments and were able to sample Hong Kong specialities.

The venues and food sampled were;

  • Tsim Chai Kee Noodle
    • Wonton Noodles
      • Won Tonne Meen
  • Dragon Restaurant
    • Barbecued Pork Rice
      • Char Siu Faan
  • Kung Lee Sugar Cane Juice
    • Sugar Cane Juice
      • Jeh Jup
  • Wong Wing Kee (preserved fruits factory limited)
    • Preserved fruits
      • Gwo Zi
  • Dim Sum Square
    • Shrimp Dumpling
      • Har Gao
    • Pork Dumpling
      • Siu Mai
    • Deep fried Spring Rolls
      • Jaa Chun Guen
    • Crispy BBQ Pork Bun
      • Char Siu Bao
  • Hei Lee Cake Shop
    • Egg Tart
      • Daan Taat
It was an amazing tour that was also very filling, in both the culinary way and information about this spectacular part of Hong Kong.  On tour, we saw (in no particular order) Chinese coffins, the beating heart of a fish, a hearse, animal intestines, the difference between a roast duck and a roast goose, and an 82-year-old man cutting hair.





Sugar Cane Juice
The Cat - Kung Lee Sugar Cane Juice Shop
Man Mo Temple

 
 

Would you let him cut your hair?



In all, we took many photos (over 380 combined) and made many steps, it was a great day and a great way to see inside Hong Kong.

 




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