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Hong Kong

A 9-day adventure by Awesomes. Read more
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  • Trip start
    February 23, 2025
    AwesomesHong KongTraveler
    Hong Kong airport
    Hong Kong airportLook at how big the ginger is!!!St John's Anglican ChurchThe Peak Tram terminusHong Kong Botanic gardensWalking tourMost expensive parcel of land. Henderson building.Central Market.Central MarketTai Yuan Square, PrisonTai Yuan Square Police stationMak Noodle HouseView from our hotel.

    Free walking tour

    February 23, 2025 in Hong Kong ☁️ 14 °C

    We are on a family holiday to celebrate the combined birthday of my daughter and I.
    Kai dropped one ear bud into her seat enroute to Singapore where we were to transit. The chief stewardess waited till the plane was almost empty before stripping the cushions from the seats and having a good look. Unfortunately it fell right into the seat and the engineer was needed to undo the seat. We could not wait for that as we had to catch our connecting flight to Hong Kong from another terminal. Ruby and Kai made the report on arrival at Hong Kong airport whilst Warrick and I got the luggage and went to the counter to meet our hotel car.

    Despite travelling all night and arriving in Hong Kong at 11am, we hardly stopped for a rest.
    First place was lunch. The first restaurant we got to by recommendation, Sister's Beef Noodles had a 45 minute queue. We were too hungry to wait so we went to a Michelin guide restaurant Eight Treasures, found by Warrick , also selling beef noodles. This restaurant serves every dish with turnip. I guess that's why Kungfu Panda loves turnip with noodles. We then had an explore of the area Tin Hau near our hotel. Warrick is very good with navigation and got us to a Aunty Desert Shop next, where we were served by a very endearing 10 year old boy who spoke perfect English.
    After a quick unpacking, we went for a walking tour with a very enthusiastic and fast talking walking guide. She took us through a little history of Hong Kong, highlighting the superstitious practices and Feng Shui . We rode on the ding-ding tram ride, looked at Hong Kong Park and rode some of the mid-level escalator.
    We finished exhausted at Mak Noodle House for delicious albeit tiny bowl of wanton noodles.    Read more

  • AwesomesHong KongTraveler
    Incredible skill! At Temple Street Night MarketsQueue at 9 pm outside Sister Wah Beef Brisket Noodle House

    Sheung Wan Walk About

    February 24, 2025 in Hong Kong ☁️ 15 °C

    We did a self guided tour of Sheung Wan, headed up The Peak on the tram and walked down today, but before we did, we breakfasted at the end of the East Line ( Kennedy Town) to try a traditional dim sum place that opens at 3am and closes at 4pm.
    Kai and Warrick drew some kind comments and scrutiny from other patrons and wait staff, who observed them eating strange dim sum dishes like chicken feet and milk fritter.
    Had to squeeze in a congee feed at Kennedy market before heading to Sheung Wan.
    We walked and walked all around Sheung Wan looking in Manho temple and down Cat's Street, that had no cats, through laneways that had art, craft and antique, and finally the steep downhill from the Peak.
    For once, it was Kai instead of Ruby who was stopped on the way down by a passerby, who gave her a history and perspective of who lives on the Peak terraces, the prestige and connections of the who's who in Hong Kong.
    Although we were very tired after the very long walk down, we continued to the Temple Street Night Markets.
    Due to a blister on Kai's foot, we stopped for a rest at a sushi place.
    Temple Street Night Markets was an eye opener because Warrick and Kai pointed out the ladies of the night behind the stalls, standing out sitting in the shadows. We later read that it was also the red light district in Hong Kong.
    On the last train back to the hotel, both Kai and I were peckish so Ruby Kai and I went for supper at the Sister Wah Beef Brisket Noodle House. We couldn't believe that there was still a queue at 9.30pm. Satisfied and satiated, we retired to bed.    Read more

  • AwesomesHong KongTraveler
    Garden we walked through to get to the museum
    Garden we walked through to get to the museumShenzhen cityLEGO shop at Coco ParkCoco Park Food PavilionMarriott Hotel mascotExecutive Lounge Marriott Hotel, Shenzhen

    Shenzhen, China

    February 25, 2025 in China ☁️ 18 °C

    Despite having a late start this morning , and looking for breakfast only at about 10am, there was very little open near our hotel. We looked along Electric Road, the food street very near our hotel and settled for a noodles shop. Breakfast was a bowl of noodles and a sandwich shared amongst 4 of us.

    Grace spoke to our concierge about Shenzhen, and was reminded that most places in China do not accept credit cards but most will accept cash. They all accept AliPay, WeChat and a couple other pay modes, none of which we have. We were unable to get Chinese Yuan out of the ATM near our hotel with our foreign cards although Bank of China ATM had an option for Yuan withdrawal. So onward we went in the MTR to Shenzhen and managed to get Yuan from the ATM on Shenzhen side of the train station before we got into the taxi.

    Immigration and customs proceeded easily although we had to fill in a form for the visa at immigration. When we got into the taxi at the taxi rank by the station, the driver insisted on charging us ¥100 for the ride and not use the meter. We exited the taxi, walked away from the station, hailed a taxi. Grace gave him the address written in Chinese by our concierge for the Shenzhen Museum, and the lovely young man pointed to the meter. During the ride, I asked the driver, in my very rusty Mandarin if there was anywhere for lunch near the museum that we could have lunch at then walk to the museum. I specified that we wanted Chinese food and he replied that is Chinese food everywhere, export l except MacDonalds. He dropped us off at a place with a few eateries about 1km from the museum. He pointed to the direction of the museum so we'd know where to go after lunch. As the ATM dispensed only ¥100 notes, the driver just came onto his shift and did not have much change, we told him to give us his ¥35 and we'll give him the ¥100 note. He was horrified as the meter showed only ¥18 (so much for the ¥100 taxi shark) , but we insisted and he thanked us profusely. What a lovely young man. Takeaway lesson from this, NEVER take a taxi from any train station, even if it's from an official taxi rank with a marked taxi.

    Lunch was most delicious, with great service. We were even escorted to a toilet that was not a hole in the ground. As we could not work out how to cross a highway to get to the museum, we walked directly to Coco Park Shopping Centre. It was a big shopping centre but nothing appealed to us except more food.

    We have a special dinner booked at 7pm tonight and did not want to fill ourselves even more than the substantial lunch we had. So, at about 5pm, we decided to go to the Marriott Hotel where dinner is booked at their Restaurant Man Ho to relax at a lounge or bar before dinner. When we inquired at reception, we were led to the Executive Lounge.. Grace and I refused to pay almost $40 aud at the Executive Lounge so we didn't eat nor drink anything except from our water bottles and the sneaky tonic water in front of Warrick and Kai. When Kai and Warrick went up to pay, the manager told them that he "could not charge them and has cancelled their bill".
    Dinner was a gastronomic experience with silver service. We even had a tea sommelier who brewed us a most delicious blend red dates and goji berries in our chrysanthemum tea. She gave Kai 4 packets of the chrysanthemum tea.    Read more

  • AwesomesHong KongTraveler
    Our daily coffee fix
    Our daily coffee fixTin Hau Temple in Tin Hau just round the corner from our hotelFlower MarketAlien succulentSkewers restaurantGoldfish marketLadies Market, MongkokTin Hau Temple in Ya Mei Tei. Tin Hau is the good for seafarers.

    Mong Kok

    February 26, 2025 in Hong Kong ☁️ 17 °C

    We had planned a hike at Lamma Island today but we all woke up a little sore from the unaccustomed walking that we'd done in the last 3 days.
    So when in doubt of what to do, the group consensus was to go for dim sum again and rethink the day's plan. Yuen Long, Wanchai, Chi Lin Temple were suggested but I was amazed that I mentioned Mong Kok and Ruby came up with a plan ever so quickly.
    Mong Kok was interesting because there was the Flower, Goldfish, Birds and Ladies Markets.
    Warrick came with us to the Flower Market but was leaving us to do indoor golf, so he wanted some lunch before he went. We were in a huge shopping centre MOKO, and the first food outlet we picked needed a queue number, we got a number but was told that it would be a 30min wait. So we scouted around for more restaurant/cafes however everyone had to half an hour to 45min wait. We gave up searching for a cafe and settled for finding a bakery when the young lady from the first restaurant shouted out to us across the centre that they had a table for us. It turned out to be really nice food of bbq skewers and hot spicy noodles.
    Warrick went off his merry way leaving us without navigator.
    Ruby took over the role and we then went to the rest of the other markets.
    Poor fish at the fish market were in cramp living conditions. Poor turtles didn't even have room to turn around. Saw some pretty rare species like blue jellyfish, axolotl and albino turtles.
    Didn't spend much time at birds because Kai took fright.
    We walked the length and breadth of Nathan road, zigzagging through one market after another. Of course stopping for congee, and Guilingou and tea eggs. Tea eggs were so yummy, Kai had 2.
    We meet Warrick back at the hotel and had a quick visit to Salvation Army Store next door to our hotel before an early dinner at Sister Wah Beef Brisket again.
    Early to bed for an early start tomorrow.    Read more

  • AwesomesHong KongTraveler
    Yung Shue Wan VillageLive Seafood restaurantYung Shue Wan VillageFire BroomsKamikaze Cave's where the Japanese hid boats during the warTin Hau. Temple at Sok Kyu Wan VillageLight show

    Lamma Island Hike

    February 27, 2025 in Hong Kong ⛅ 18 °C

    We were up and ready by 830am, bought takeaway breakfast and coffee from the street and brought it back to our room to eat in comfort then the concierge ordered us a taxi to take us to the pier. The Lamma Island Ferry did not accept the credit card tap-on that the kids have been using for the MTR. A nice steward at the turnstiles got us to tap each of the Octopus Card twice and got us through.
    The boat ride to Yung Shue Wan terminal was very scenic which helped distract me from the rocking and rolling of the very strange catamaran ferry. The hike begun through the villages on Lamma Island that transported us back in time. They were quaint little villages and in 15mins we had walked through 5 villages. Once away from the village, we started the ascent to a small peak
    with views to a power station that was coal, oil, wind and solar generated, and views of beaches and bays. In the forest, there were fire snuffer brooms to be used in the event of a bushfire. I know what I'd be doing if there was a bushfire and it isn't snuffing it out with a broom.
    The walk finished on the other side of the island at Sok Kyu Wan village. There were quite a few live seafood restaurants but we decided to ferry back to mainland for congee and noodles at Sang Kee Congee. We were squeezed into a table shared with 2 diners, so Ruby and Kai were squeezed into a corner. When the 2 diners left, we were able to spread out, and no others were squeezed in with us.

    After lunch, 3 of us went to Tsim Sa Tsui whilst Warrick went onto a Pokemon shop in Ya Ma Tei. Ruby and Kai found the shops here more interesting than those in Coco Park Shenzhen. We walked through a large Giordano shop, M&S and K11 mall. Ruby found nothing to purchase and Kai only 2 trivets for her dining table. Warrick met us carrying a large bag of Lego. Whoever said women were shoppers didn't know this family. We stopped for afternoon tea at a Japanese cafe with a "plate and drink" special.

    Kai searched the internet for a dinner place nearby and found Gwing Kee for smoked goose . Too tired to translate the Chinese menu, we settled for the Banquet for 4 menu Kai spotted as we entered. We knew we were in for a veritable feast when the waiters pushed another table to join our table and told us to spread out, so 4 of us occupied a table for 6.
    Unlike most of the restaurants we've been at where they squeeze as many as they can to a table. The meal was outstanding, and there was a queue outside when we left.

    The light show at the bay looking towards Hong Kong skyline was nothing exciting. A few lasers beaming across the skyline towards Kowloon, projections on some buildings and dancing lights. We caught the Star Ferry back to the island and the Ding Ding bus back to the hotel.    Read more

  • AwesomesHong KongTraveler
    The Pear TreeFrench EmperorsChinese EmperorsClock made in Guangzhou

    Art Galleries

    February 28, 2025 in Hong Kong ☁️ 20 °C

    Ruby and I went to the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, whilst Kai and Warrick went for the cable car up to the Big Buddha and Tai O village.
    Hong Kong Museum of Art had a special exhibition of works by Cezanne and Renoir, paintings with the same theme hung together for comparison and appreciation. We learnt that they were good friends and painted and visited together. Beautiful works of still life, landscapes and nudes. There was even Picasso 's painting to showcase the influence of these two Masters.
    We started at the special exhibition and when we continued in the 4 remaining floors, we had to go back to Cezanne and Renoir again before we left. Tickets to the special exhibition was only HK$50 ($12aud) each.
    As we could not find an eatery on route to the Palace Museum, we went back to Gwing Kee smoked goose restaurant.
    Palace Museum was a little hard to get to and the stops weren't clearly marked on Google. So we stopped a bus stop too early and walked some to get there. Palace Museum was showcasing an exhibit of The Forbidden City and Versailles. Interesting exhibition showing the difference in the ceramic and pottery, buildings and grounds. We saw lots of people posing for selfies and photos. There was a lady posing for the camera on the steps of the Palace Museum that was most hilarious. She was a lady in mid 70's sprawled, leaning and sat in various alluring postures for the camera.
    We met up with Kai and Warrick at Time Square for a spot of shopping and then dinner. Kai found a Shanghai Restaurant close to our hotel and Ruby and I decided we'd wallk to the restaurant so we could look at the shops along the way. We just about killed Warrick. It turned out to be a much longer walk then we had anticipated. The Tong Sui ( desert) finish to the meal, made up for it.    Read more

  • AwesomesHong KongTraveler

    Chi Lin Nunnery and Nanlian Gardens

    March 1, 2025 in Hong Kong ☁️ 20 °C

    We had a really nice drink of tea and coffee mixed at Tak Tou Cafe instead of our regular coffee. Warrick started his morning later from being exhausted the days before. He met us at Tak Tou at 11am.
    We went for another beef brisket feed at Sister Wah before heading to ChiLin Nunnery and Nanlian Gardens.
    ChiLin Nunnery and Nanlian Gardens were serene and manicured. All the plants looked like they were trained to grow a certain way.
    After a quick shop at a shopping centre near the nunnery, where Warrick and I bought clothes and not Kai and Ruby, Warrick found a place to have drinks before dinner. He picked the bar at St Regis Hotel. It was wonderful to finish the trip with cocktails and nibbles at such a fine establishment. We were even invited to a special champagne tasting tradition where the champagne cork is removed with a sword everyday at 530pm.
    We then proceeded to a restaurant highly recommended by a friend, Sang Kee Restaurant to have braised pomelo skin, "mui choi chee yoke" and suckling pig.
    It was a grand finish to our trip together as Warrick and Kai were leaving us tomorrow morning to stay at Disneyland hotel.    Read more

  • AwesomesHong KongTraveler
    Yuen Long
    Yuen LongPing Shan Clan GalleryBridal CarriageHeritage trailTang Ancestral HallYu Kiu Ancestral HallOld WellYueng Hau TempleTsui Sing Lau PagodaTat Tak Communal HallStart of the fog phenomenon. View from Cardinal PointProgress of the fogBefore we left Cardinal Point

    Yuen Long Heritage Trail

    March 2, 2025 in Hong Kong ☁️ 23 °C

    We had a quick breakfast with Kai and Warrick then they checked out and were off to Disneyland for the last night in Hong Kong.
    Ruby and I chugged slowly for an hour on a bus to the walled city of Yuen Long. Before we started on the heritage trail we had congee at a restaurant that had no English menus and Google translate gave some pretty hilarious translations. With the little Cantonese I spoke we managed to order. I was starting to have congee withdrawals not having had congee for 2 whole days. We were planning to walk to Ping Shan where the trail started but it was very humid today though the forecasted temperature was only 22⁰C so we caught the light rail instead.
    The heritage trail traced the Tang clan from 1800, through the Japanese occupation to present day. The buildings were very well preserved and restored.
    As the Pagoda and Communal Hall were closed between 1pm-2pm, we stopped at a tiny restaurant to have a light lunch to while away the time. We were glad we did because the buildings were very ornate inside and will preserved.
    We had to have second lunches at a recommended noodle shop in Yuen Long called Ho To Tai Noodle Cafe.
    We had booked for dinner but decided we had eaten more than enough today. Instead, we indulged in a cocktail at a rooftop bar. We went to Cardinal Point on the 45th floor, where we had sweeping views of the Victoria Harbour. A strange cloud, fog phenomenon was most interesting to witness too. The wait staff said that the phenomenon was most unusual.
    With our one drink costing about Aud $30 each, we sat from 430pm till 7pm, after sun set.
    Disaster one struck when I discovered I had dropped one octopus card and the hotel key card just before boarding the tram to local Chinese "Tong Soi" dessert at Ching Ching Desert House.
    Disaster two was, the one time I was left in-charge of navigating, Ruby and I got hopelessly lost. The tram I chose did not take us back to the hotel but took us to Happy Valley instead. Ruby solved the problem by suggesting we take a taxi. Never leave me in-charge of navigating. I have no sense is direction.    Read more

  • AwesomesHong KongTraveler
    Otters at HK Zoological Gardens
    Otters at HK Zoological GardensWhite Faced SakiRing Tailed LemurSloth and babyEmperor MonkeyVietnamese Mickey Mouse PlantBus ride to the airportHong Kong IslandBridge to Lantau Island

    Homeward Bound

    March 3, 2025 in Hong Kong ☁️ 23 °C

    We had the morning to visit the Hong Kong Botanical and Zoological Gardens, a green haven in the middle of the city at the base of Victoria Peak. We had to have congee for breakfast and coffe- tea- mix before catching the tram to Pedder Street. From where the tram stops, the hike up to the botanical and zoological gardens was steep and long. It was worth it though when we got there. It was small but had quite a good assortment of little creatures. The lemurs made quite a racket in their enclosure. It was also the first time that I've seen a sloth.
    After the gardens we headed back to the hotel to shower, pack and check out. Our flight wasn't till almost 7pm so we went one last time to Sister Wah for beef brisket noodles and wantons in chilli oil. We had planned to take the airport express which was the MTR and then another train change. However the concierge suggested we take a bus A11 that takes us straight to terminal 1 from just outside our hotel. It was a quarter of the price and for the same duration as the trains without the need to navigate a change of trains.
    We met Warrick and Kai at the airport and Kai retrieved her earbuds without any problems.
    Flight back was very comfortable. Singapore Airlines does delivery on service and flight experience.    Read more

    Trip end
    March 3, 2025