Lunch in Aberdeen

There were several signs for sampan cruises around the harbour for 100 or 120 dollars, so 10 or 12 pounds for 40 minutes. And from what I could see, they just kind of went in between some of the boats and then came back again. And then as I was walking along, I saw a sampan that was full of local people. I realised that people were getting on it and just tapping their Octopus card. So this was a commuter sampan that was just going to take them across to the other side. I decided to get on it. It was only HK$2.50 - about 25 pence to go across the water and see everything that I would have seen from a tourist sampan. I got off at the other side, took a few photos, but there was really nothing over that side except offices, so then I jumped back on the ferry, tapped my Octopus card again and came back. For 50 pence it was a great round trip - I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Back where I started from, I went up Aberdeen High Street and watched all the locals doing their shopping. It's clearly a fishing community. It felt very local.

By this point I was ready for my lunch, so I found a local restaurant. Again, it was full of local people - no tourists. This time, when you went in, they gave you a little slip of paper with a QR code and your table number. When you scan the QR code, you can opt for the menu in English. You place your order on your phone and they bring the food to your table. I ordered a lunchtime special for $42 plus a bit extra for a Coke Zero. I got a big bowl of rice and diced pork, hard-boiled eggs, lettuce, and a savoury, soy-based sauce. It was good. It was a big plate of food - enough to keep me going for the rest of the day for not much money. Once you've eaten, you just take the QR code to the till and they know exactly what you've had and exactly how much you need to pay, which I just thought was brilliant.

After lunch, I got the bus back to Central District and the MTR back to the hotel. In the station, I bought a couple of pastries for my breakfast tomorrow. It fascinates me that every single metro station has its own shopping mall!

I struggled to check in for tomorrow's flight, and did some photo editing before going to bed.Read more