Hong Kong: High Tea at the Peninsula and Highest Bar in the World

On my very last day in Hong kong, I decided I wanted to do it in style. So I spent the morning chilling out, put my washing into the amazing wee laundry shop down the road, and updating the blog. Once the washing came back, I packed my big case, and took it to the in-town check in desk at Hong Kong MRT station. Up to 24 hours before your flight, you can check in your hold luggage, so you don't need to worry about it the next day. As I was going out for one last time in Lan Kwai Fong, I think this was perhaps the best decision of all!

Then off to TST I went, to the Peninsula. This is one of the world's best hotels, and in the Lobby you can take Afternoon Tea. I decided to treat myself, and waited out the queue which seemed to never move. I was there for about an hour, so I guess it wasn't too bad. It was funny people watching from the queue, as everyone was taking their time, chatting, taking photos of the tea and food. I couldn't get frustrated as this would be exactly what I would be doing. 

I met an American couple in front of me, and they gave me some advice about Bangkok (due to the political protests being held here). Then I was sat down, and messaged Yan, who came to join me. 

Whilst waiting for him to get to Kowloon, I ordered a cocktail called No.5, inspired by the Chanel perfume. It was yummy!

Yan finally arrived, and we ordered the tea. I had Earl Grey, and he had Darjeeling.

The food was then placed in front of us. For those who know me, I am not supposed to eat gluten. I think it is going to be very very difficult in Asia to avoid it, and I don't want to miss out. Sure, I felt really tired afterwards, so I went for a wee kip later on. No big deal, was worth it!

One of the highlights of the experience was the string quartet playing disney songs and random pop songs. We played the guess the song game.

My uncle had told me about a golden toilet at the top of the hotel, so we decided to go exploring for this mystical pan. Alas, there were no golden toilets, but look as how awesome the top bar and the toilets are. Kind of an awesome view from here too.

Later on, after Yan's hockey practice, we went to the Ritz-Carlton and went up the Ozone, claimed to be the highest bar in the world. It was really fancy, but as Yan says, you can get better views of the city from some of the lower bars. I felt like my shots from Wooloomooloo were much more clear. It seemed to be a place for tourists and bankers to enjoy, so off we went to LKF.

It was a crazy night, with far too much drink and drama. Was a shame really, but it didn't spoil my whole time there. Hopefully I will be back for Junk Boat season, and get to experience Hong Kong when it is really hot. Next stop, Bangkok!

Hong Kong: Learning About The Old City

On my second last day in Hong Kong, after a brief lunch stop at a Vietnamese place with Pete, I decided to go and explore Sheung Wan, which is also known as the wholesale district. There is one whole area which is dedicated to dried seafood and Chinese medicine. I still cannot believe how many shops there were, and also the amount of product on offer. Bags and bags, and more bags of the stuff. I wonder how long the seafood has been around for, as there seemed to be no sell by dates. I also had no idea what most of it was, as there were no English translations. I had fun trying to guess.

This area has a really strong, overwhelming smell after a while, and so I hop footed it along to the antiques of Hollywood Road.

Most of the shops here had no photo signs in the windows, which is completely fair enough. As I am travelling, I decided against even properly looking, as I knew I would fall in love with a piece and have no way of getting it home easily.

Further along the road came one of the oldest temples in the area, the Man Mo Temple. Again, the incense spirals were out in full force. Upon reading further, it turns out the name Hong Kong comes from the Cantonese 'fragrant harbour' or 'incense harbour'.

A little further down is the Cat Street Market, which sells memorabilia and general touristy tat. Again, I tried not to look too much, and would like to return again when I have a base somewhere.

The Hong Kong Museum of History was recommended to me, and it did not disappoint. I paid for the permanent exhibition and the special one, Images Through Time: Photos of Old Hong Kong. Again, no photos could be taken in the special, but it was my favourite by far. It was so interesting to learn how photography was introduced to Hong Kong by the West, and how the use of studios enabled families to fake being more wealthy than they were. I loved how even shots of prisoners had been faked, tell tale signs with the use of lighting and good looking models. It was also crazy to see the development of the city, on both sides. I also began to recognise a lot of the places the images were taken, as Sheung Wan was instrumental in the formative days of the city. Good thing I went there in the morning.

It was then onto the permanent echibition, all about the story of Hong Kong. This went through different eras, from prehistoric to the reunification with China. The displays really conveyed the sense of culture of Hong Kong and allowed me to fully understand how it has come to be now.

As Yan was at Hockey practice, his lovely housemate Leah took me to a famous dim sum restaurant, called Din Tai Fung (DTF). Again, the soup dumplings were had, and these were the best I had tasted. We were hungry, so got a lot of food! :)

Stuffed full, we headed back to the flat to watch another instalment of Breaking Bad.

Hong Kong: Spiritual Afternoon and Happy Valley Races

Did a spot of shopping in Causeway Bay, which is basically shops in every direction and mall after mall. This place would be my brother's worst nightmare! 

Met Pete briefly in TST to go to his tailors to get his suit altered. The shop we went to offered us beer and had made suits for the likes of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. The salesman then tried to get me to get something made, but I don't really want to spend all my money just now on one suit jacket. Maybe I will go back one day. 

Decided to venture further into Kowloon, and took the MRT to Diamond Hill. Here lies the Nan Lian Garden, which is connected to the Chi Lin Nunnery. It was an absolutely beautiful day, but still quite chilly being winter here.

What struck me was the impeccably kept gardens, and the vast presence of workers with straw hats pruning the leaves of the trees in such a careful manner. The garden is situated near a highway, but was completely quiet and serene. As you walk through you go through a series of themed gardens.

In the background there is the Song Cha Xie, a traditional tea pavilion. I wasn't allowed to take photos, so you know it was quite a special experience. I was asked to take my shoes off, and was given comfy slippers. I was then shown through to my own table with a view of the pond. The waitress then recommended a tea and some dim sum for me to try, and showed me how the table worked. It was fascinating how practical and technological it all was. She then performed a tea ceremony for me, and encourage me to replicate it. I can't remember which tea I chose, but it was a fruity Chinese tea. The dim sum was sweet buns with red bean paste, and were the best I have had my whole visit. The table even had a bell to summon the waitress for anything you might need. It was quite pricey, but I felt, when in Rome... :)

Watching my time, I made my way up to the Chi Lin Nunnery, and managed to look back at the gardens.

The Nunnery was very impressive. This is the initial courtyard, which had ponds with Koi carp and lilly pads. Further up, you go into another courtyard, but this time no photos are allowed as this was where all the deities were being worshipped. Fair enough. I find it awkward enough going into temples, not knowing the customs and taking snaps of everything.

Back to the MRT, and one stop down is the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple. This place was mental. I have never seen so many people bustling about, holding loads of burning incense and wafting it at each of the deities. Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and it looked like the temple was already gearing up for this with red bows everywhere.

With a bit of spare time I headed to TST East Promenade and went to the Art Gallery. It was great because I was able to get free wifi all the way along there, and so I Skyped the parents whilst watching the sunset.

After getting some ridiculously expensive but amazing sushi, myself and Yan went off to the Happy Valley Races. We got the tram there, which was really cool but cramped as they are really thin, and also some 8.4s (cheap but strong alcopops).

The races are only $10 HKD, so around the £1 mark. Inside we walked along the front and then headed up to the top floor. In summer months this place is packed, although it was busy when we went. We put a bet on, I bet on the Wrath of Fire, which came in third. I bet to win, so lost out :( It was really fun to watch, and seemed to be a place where everyone can go and enjoy themselves.

After the races, we headed into Wan Chai for Ladies Night. This happens every Wednesday and all females are given free drinks all night. I managed to sneak drink into Yan's glass too, so we were equally as drunk.

We ended up in Carnegies, where people dance on the bar. Of course, I was dragged up onto it. Here is a shot from up there.

All in all, this was probably my best day in Hong Kong.