Central Hong Kong / Ocean Park

So ... maybe daily updates was an over-ambitious target. Here's a quick update on the last few days. Wednesday I got a fairly late start, heading out to Central HK just before lunch. The concierge suggested I dine in Soho ("SOuth of HOllywood Road"), which is renowned for it's trendy cafes. Getting there entailed a one-block walk to the MTR (Honk Kong's "tube"), then a one-stop ride, and then a one-mile outdoor escalator ride up toward Hong Kong's Mid-levels.

(On a side note, this was my "day off" from my healthy eating kick, so I stopped at a little bakery for a yummy custard-filled cupcake thing, and also at McDonald's for a double cheeseburger ... yes, all this on my WAY to lunch ... lol. Anyway, it was fun to see the differences in Mickey D's over here -- they have Korean BBQ wraps, "Fresh Corn," and Honey Pear Tea ... the last of which went nicely with my double!)

Anyway, belly full, I mounted the escalators to Soho. I've never seen anything quite like these escalators. But getting almost anywhere in HK involves a steep climb, so they are really useful (as I learned when one of the segments ended up being out of service!) But after yesterday's mountain climbing, this wasn't TOO tough. So I circled around Soho for a while, burning off my burger and looking for just the right place to lunch. There were indeed many trendy-looking places, but most of them were empty. And I'm a little put off by chef, host, AND waiter all standing curb-side inviting you in. Tad desperate. Finally I found a place that seemed to be hoppin, and had a good looking menu. I had eggplant rolls filled with sauteed beef, fettuccine with salmon, and a chocolate mousse for desert. It was good but not amazing.

OK -- so -- during lunch I planned out the rest of the afternoon. Made a quick stop at Man Mo temple. After Lantau Island, this wasn't too impressive, but it's one of the older temples within Central Hong Kong, so it was worth the stop. The outside wasn't worth a photo, and on the inside photos weren't allowed. One interesting thing inside was that giant spirals of incense hung from the ceiling, keeping a constant scent hanging thickly in the air. On such a hot, muggy day, I couldn't bear the smoke for too long. I quickly left and headed for air-conditioning!

Next stop was the University of Hong Kong's Museum and Art gallery. On the way there, I walked the antique shops on Hollywood Road, where the shop keepers could tell I was mostly interested in their AC and couldn't afford their wares (beautiful though they were) ... so I didn't stay long there either. Finally jumped into a cab when I realized there was no escalator to the University!!

Again, no photos in the museum, but you can visit their site if interested (http://www.hku.hk/hkumag/). The exhibit I liked most is called "Through Our Eyes: A Photographic View of Hong Kong by Its Youth," which was a collection of images from the university's photography students. Liked it so much that I bought the book, which I can share with you when I return if you like.

At this point you're probably tiring of my "no photos" excuses, and wondering why nothing I'm describing matches the images. So the next stop I tried to make up for lost photo time -- Hong Kong Park. I hopped on a double-decker bus from the University and within a few minutes arrived at Hong Kong Park. Comparable to NYC's central park only in it's "central" location, HK Park is much smaller and more like a planned attraction. But there was much to see. As I entered, there was a mushroom-shaped walk-through fountain -- and given how hot and sweaty I'd been most of the day, you can bet that I did walk through it. Hopefully you can see what I mean in the background of my first park photo. From there I walked along the park's Lake, filled with beautiful, colorful carp. Next I came to something called "Olympic Square" which turned out to be a completely ROUND amphitheater. Hmmm -- loose interpretation of "square" to be sure. Then I wandered into the park's conservatory, which was also air conditioned thank god. Found one particularly beautiful plant there, which I photographed and included here.

Got some more great pictures from a giant tower in the center of the park. Then headed into a giant outdoor aviary, enclosed in a huge net tent (which I think you can just make out on the left in one of the tower pictures.) At this point I was getting pretty wiped out, and it was approaching 5pm. So I made one last stop at St. John's Cathedral, seat of Hong Kong's Anglican bishop. Quite frankly, I was underwhelmed and tired, so didn't take any pictures and proceeded back to the MTR for a quick ride home. (I guess being docent at Grace Cathedral in SF has me spoiled!)

Getting back to the hotel, I took a much needed shower and cat napped until Ed was home from work. Then we went out for a big dinner with all the Banana Republic people -- designers, fit models, merchants, etc. It was a fun group -- though the restaurant was a little cheesy -- an Italian place called Tuto Bene. I had osso bucco, which was excellent. And the company was great... not to mention the meal was compliments, once again, of GAP, Inc.

That night I also got the great news that Ed would have some time off the next day. So Thursday we decided to mix it up a bit with a trip to HK's amusement park, "Ocean Park." It's sort of an aquarium / zoo / theme park. Highlights included: the adorable giant panda "Jia Jia," a goldfish pagoda, gondola ride with stunning views of the bay, and a "Mine Shaft" roller coaster perched on the edge of the parks seaside cliffs. We didn't bring the digital camera for fear of losing it or getting it wet, but I'll have hard copy photos (which were taken with a temporary camera) when we get home.

Thursday night we ate at a BREATHTAKING restaurant at One Peking Road, just around the corner from our hotel back in Kowloon. You can see this beautiful new 29 story gem at http://www.hku.hk/mech/sbe/case_study/case/hk/pek/photo.htm. The interior was full of gorgeous Chinese antiques set within an ultra-modern steel-and-glass frame. The food was excellent -- especially their signature dish -- lamb prepared in the style traditionally reserved for Peking duck. Back on my health kick, I ate lots of vegetables, but those were wonderfully prepared as well.

It's now Friday morning -- our last full day in HK. Ed's waking up so we've gotta get going. I'll probably post some more tomorrow night before I leave for Singapore, so check back when you can.

Thanks to everyone who's sent messages. It's nice to hear from you -- and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Love -- Christopher

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