Asia's World City: Hong Kong!

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Looking for serenity, a peaceful moment, a place to hear your thoughts? Hong Kong might not be the best choice for a vacation spot! However, if you're seeking a bustling metropolis, full of exciting things to engage all 5 of your senses, then look no further!

I visited what has been dubbed as "Asia's World City," Hong Kong, for a 4-day weekend. My friend Jennifer and I flew out of Okayama City in Hiroshima prefecture, had a 3-hour layover in Incheon Airport, South Korea, and arrived in Hong Kong about 9 hours after our original departure time. The flight from South Korea to Hong Kong was amazing! Never have I been so thrilled with a personal T.V. screen on the seat in front of me, a selection of of about 15 movies, video games if one so desired, and cheesecake icecream after the meal! Thank you Korean Air!

Jennifer and I stayed in Central Hong Kong on Hong Kong Island. From there we ventured out to Causeway Bay and the Stanley Market area on Hong Kong Island, and across the harbour to Kowloon. In a city of 6.8 million people, there was never a shortage of things to see or do.

Our first evening we walked to the harbour area near our hotel and watched the "Symphony of Lights," boasted to be the world's largest permanent light and sound show, which involved over 30 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour. Although the narration of the show was in Chinese, it was still beautiful to watch. The funniest moment of the evening came when a fellow tourist asked us if we understood what was being said...apparently, Jenn and I look as though we can speak Chinese! We also were able to see the skyline from different viewpoints, including from the Peak and across the harbour on the Kowloon side.

Our first full day included visits to Causeway Bay, a bustling shopping district, Victoria Park, a large, green space that serves as a refuge to the locals who engage in many activities there, including Tai Chi, roller skating and jogging to name a few, the Stanley Market, on the south side of the island, near the sea, the Peak for a bird's eye view of the city skyline, and finally the Central District, where a ride on the world's longest covered escalators was in order.

On our second full day we ventured across the harbour to the area of Kowloon. It's here that we saw market after market! These included the bird market, the flower market, the goldfish market, the jade market, the Ladies' market (where men can shop too!), and the night market. We also took a ferry across the harbour, giving us a view of the city skyline from the water....we made sure we had our skyline viewing area bases covered!

It was on this evening we departed, for a 8-hour layover at the Incheon airport. Unfortunately, due to landing at an awkward time in South Korea (5 a.m.) we chose not to venture outside of the airport. However, we did engage in some Korea handicrafts just the same (see picture)!

Hong Kong is much more than the island and Kowloon...there's many other outer islands to see and explore. Our trip was a short one, and just a taste of what Hong Kong has to offer. If I'm looking to return to a city with excitement, vibrancy, and life, I will look no further!

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Photos

Symphony of Lights
A view of Victoria Harbour from Wan Chai during the Symphony of Lights show. The show features the lights of over 30 prominent buildings along the harbour.

Dancing in the Streets
On our way to the subway station, we spotted these 2 women dancing in this square. Hong Kong must be a city with rhythm as throughout our trip, we would see the occasional "cha-cha"-er practicing their moves!

Wan Chai, Our Home Away from Home
Jennifer poses at Wan Chai Station. This MTR subway station, was the closest to our hotel, and the beginning point of all of our Hong Kong adventures. The subway system in Hong Kong is incredibly convenient and fast, and with names like Wan Chai (for which Jenn always cleverly sung the song "Everybody Wan Chai tonight"...), who wouldn't want to take it?

Victoria Park
A green oasis in the middle of the city, Victoria Park had some amazing greenery, as well as showcased the citizens of Hong Kong doing all kinds of interesting activities.

Roller Skating in the Park
These kids were so much fun to watch! They were taking their Sunday morning skating lesson in Victoria Park.

Searching for Some Zen
These citizens decided to engage in the much more self-reflective and calming activity of Tai Chi. Apparently it is common for people to gather in Victoria Park to do this every morning.

Stanley Market
On the south side of Hong Kong Island, about a 30-minute bus ride from Central is Stanley Market, where you can bargain for souvenirs.

The Waterfront of Stanley Market
The market is located in a scenic spot, along the water. This picture of Jenn and I was taken by a woman from Vancouver, who I instinctively knew was Canadian before even asking. Apparently, I didn't have the same effect, as when I told her I was from Canada also, she replied, "oh, I thought you had an American accent." Jenn, who's from Seattle, loved that one!

Going My Way?
This is the world's longest covered escalator, located in Central Hong Kong Island. It is over 800 metres long, and it takes about 20 minutes ride the whole way. From 6 a.m.-10 a.m. the escalator goes in the down direction, and for the rest of the day it takes people up. Not only does it take you to interesting shops on the different levels, but it's also a good place to people watch along the hillside!

Another Viewpoint
This is the Hong Kong skyline from the famous Peak. The exciting part is getting to the Peak, for which you take a tram that has been in operation since 1888. The incline is so steep that buildings look like they're leaning at a 45-degree angle!

Yuen Po Street Bird Garden
In Kowloon, the bird garden is an interesting place where bird lovers come to the market with their birds in cages to find new birds, bird accessories, and chat with fellow bird-lovers. Apparently, you can buy a bird in a bag...

Popular Packaging
You can also buy a fish in a bag! This was also in Kowloon, in an area known as the Goldfish Market, where many types of live fish are for sale.

A Busy Intersection
Better get out of the way...quick!

Yum, yum...
...Dim Sum! I must admit, this was one of the things I was most excited about going to Hong Kong for. Dim Sum, meaning "touch the heart" are snacks such as buns and dumplings filled with delicious delights, such as barbecue pork and shrimp, and are served with tea. They are often eaten for breakfast or lunch, and did indeed touch my heart, as well as my stomach!

All Aboard!
Jenn marvelled at how some of the main attractions in Hong Kong are the modes of transportation...the MTR, the Peak tram, the Star Ferry. This is aboard the Star Ferry which travels across Victoria Harbour, between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. It has been in operation since 1898 and also offers a good view of the city skyline, and is a "must try"!

Early Morning Intro to Culture
During our long layover, Jenn and I discovered the Korean Cultural Centre, located in Incheon Airport. The Centre provides opportunities for travellers on long layovers (like us!) to do tradtional Korean crafts. At 9 a.m., after having about 3 hours sleep, we painted fans...I was pretty pleased with mine, considering my lack of sleep!

Comments

[Steven]

WOW!
OMG! I really miss HK today! It looks like you had a great time and had lots of fun! Memories... do do do do da da da... oh barbara! Or is it Barbra? Hmmmm...hey guess what I'm marking the OSSLT this month! hahahaha... go figure! Anyhow, glad you made it to HK this time around Stacey, looks like you made the most of your 4 days there! Adios... or shall I say... ummm...omg...my cantonese is so bad... :-(

[Jaime]

... soooo jealous
Hey Stace.. i'm so jealous.. perhaps i should extend my visit and venture out your way and take in some of the sights.. oh if i only had the time! Looks like you had a fantastic trip... did you pick up any bootlegged dvds????