Friday, June 27, 2008

My Hong Kong & Macau Trip - Day 4

7 November, 2008
We departed at 0900, and headed to Restaurant that serve Dim Sum, which recommanded by the owner of the Hostel. Actually we were not really satisfy with the dim sum that we had yesterday. The taste just didn't suit us.
Just by a 5 minutes walking distance, we reached London Restaurant. Luckly! They have promotion today. We ordered quite a lot. Yet the taste still didn't suit our taste. I wonder, is it HK dim sum taste like that? However, what can I say here is, the dim sum all looks very filling :)

It is almost 1000, time to Po Lin Monastery(寶蓮禪寺), a Buddhist monastery, located on Ngong Ping Plateau, on Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Ngong Ping 360 was closed due to the cable broke incident years back then. The place consisting of the Ngong Ping Village and a gondola lift running between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, was built near to the Po Lin Monastery.
We thought it was only take a while to reach the place, and we all got wrong. After came out from MRT, we waited for 30 minutes to catch No.23 bus. Many people on that day. We only able to ride to the second bus.
The place was the last stop of the whole bus trip, plus there was a road construction took place. It took almost 45 minutes to 1 hours of journey(longer than usual).
The monastery was founded in 1906 by three monks visiting from Jiangsu and was initially known as "The Big Hut". It was renamed to its present name in 1924. The main temple houses 3 bronze statues of the Buddha representing his past, present and future lives as well as many Buddhist scriptures.
Tian Tan Buddha, a giant Buddha statue completed in 1993, is an extension of the monastery.
We left the place round 1430. The journey took much much longer than we thought. Actually we planned to head to Disneyland. However, it was not worth to go with little time we got. We swap it with Shen Zhen. Yes, next destination is Shen Zhen! Luckily everyone bring along their passport.
We simply buy some buns for lunch in the MRT station. We have took train - KCR East Rail(九广东铁) with approcimately 45 minutes journey. We reached Luo Hu Commercial, a shopping mall with a lot of prirated and cheap stuff, much much cheaper than HK.
After passed the check point, we stopped a van cab and all the way to the Window of the World.
The Window of the World(世界之窗 or 小人国) is a theme park located in the western part of the city of Shenzhen in the People's Republic of China. It has about 130 reproductions of some of the most famous tourist attractions in the world squeezed into 48 hectares. The 108 meter (354 ft) tall Eiffel Tower dominates the skyline and the sight of the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal all in proximity to each other are all part of the slightly kitsch appeal of this theme park. The sky getting darker the time we reached there. That really hindered us from enjoying the sight. We only able to catch photo in the dark. Even so, we still want to try to walk to every corner of the garden as this was the one time trip and no turning. (Too serious lah!)
Around 2100, there was a show on stage. We only able to sit and enjoy the show at almost the end of it. The show ended around 2200 and thing didn't end here. Another event was waiting for us - Stormy Amazon show and valcano show which simulating as the real.

I bought a bun along way back in Shen Zhen with RMB3(RM1.50). The filling of bun was so rich - fruits, chicken floss and squid floss. Don't you think it was cheap!
It was a tiring day. We depart back to Hostel around 2345!

Monday, June 16, 2008

My Hong Kong & Macau Trip - Day 3

6 Novermber, 2007
We had our wonderful time at Ocean Park yesterday, therefore some suggested not to go to Disneyland today and yet change it tomorrow. Without arguing much, we all agreed.
Dim Sum, a famous and tradisional breakfast of Hong Kong, a must for our trip. and, 莲香楼 with 80years old, which located Willington St. Central Park (中环威灵顿街160-164号) is place that we going to have our dim sum.
We reached there around 1000 and yet hardly found any seat for 10 persons. It was a norm to share table (搭台)with other actually. However, HK people is so friendly. Even they were in the middle of enjoying their breakfast, they still willing to move to other table and spare a empty table for 10 of us. We were very grateful.
Well, we were hungry and quickly we had ordered food and eat!
Next destination: The longest elevator in the world, Opened oct.1994. It is 800m long and links the Central Districts with the Mid- Levels. It has 29 entry and exit points.
Along to way to there, we come across the morning market. Here, we saw the life of HK people in the morning. I saw a senior couple walked hand in hand, aunties bargaining...etc. No matter how, smile was the one that always showed on their face.

We stopped to have a drink of the famous signature milk tea of the coffee shop, 兰芳园. The milk tea was really smell good, smooth and delicious! Here we go! The longest elevator!We decided to walk up till the end of the road. It's took about 30 minutes walk (felt a bit of wasting time on doing that~blah).
Everyone who read the summit of the mountain will catch a photo, so did we. :) (Bus, cab, walk) x3 we were undecisive on that. Strange thing was, we were talking that while we were walking. LOL, so walk lah! Our next destination is Hollywood Road!
We have walk passed by buildings and tall buildings and taller buildings.At last, we reached after another 30 minutes walk. Hollywood Road is filled with trinket and antique shops of all sorts. The street runs between Central and Sheung Wan, with Wyndham Street, Arbuthnot Road, Ladder Street, Upper Lascar Row, and Old Bailey Street in the vicinity.
Hollywood Road was the second road to be built when the colony of Hong Kong was founded, after Queen's Road Central. It was the first to be completed. The Man Mo Temple was a place for trial in very early years. The Man Mo Temple is one of the oldest and most beautiful temples on Hong Kong island. Built in the 1800s, the temple is dedicated to two deities: Man, the god of literature, and Mo, the god of war. Just simple down to a small stair case and left, we reached Upper Lascar Row.
Upper Lascar Row, better known as Cat Street(摩羅上街), is a narrow alley in Mid Levels, Hong Kong that runs parallel to Hollywood Road on the north side. "Lascars" were seamen from the East Indies who frequented the area, giving it a reputation for lawlessness and criminal behaviour. There was an Indian police dormitory in this street.
In the past it was a common joke that, if you had something stolen, you were almost certain to find it for sale back in Cat Street. In Cantonese slang thieves are called rats, and the dealers who purchase goods from the rats are cats. Thus this street is also known as "Cat Street" in Cantonese. On 11 February 1911 a fire burnt Upper and Lower Lascar Row destroying 16 houses and damaging 24.
Now Cat Street is mostly occupied by antique shops, and is a popular destination for tourists.
After this, we splited to two group. One will go to start venue tonight and yet another will continue to walk around. Next to Sheung Wan (上環).
Sheung Wan is located in the north-west of Hong Kong Island (in between Central and Sai Ying Pun). It is part of the Central and Western District. The name can be variously interpreted as Upper District (occupying relatively high ground compared to Central and Wan Chai), or Gateway District (perhaps a reference to the location where the British first entered and occupied Hong Kong).
There is a tram station. We definitely took a ride on a tram! A back to time experience. The tram is operated by electric. I don't know how the electric is generated in HK, at least this kind of transportation doesn't cause any pollution. The tram moved steadily and really had a rest of myself and my legs after a long walk from the beginning of today trip.
We had ride about 30 minutes and now we were no way! (Actually we were at the most western part of HK island). To not waste any time, we took bus to Causeway Bay (銅鑼灣) to shop. The rent in the shopping areas of Causeway Bay is ranked the as being one of the most expensive in the world, near that of London's Sloane Street and New York's Fifth Avenue. There were traffic during our ride. Then we decided to drop off the bus and change to MRT straight to the destination. This waste some penny and yet save time.
Upon reaching, we drop by to a Coca-cola collection shop! Quite a sight! We spent quite some time there and brought some souvenirs.
After that, we walk around the area. This area really a shopping heaven. Plenty and variety of shops are here and there.
We came to this shop - milk specialty. This is one in our list that we need to pay visit and taste the dessert. :) We had our order - two ginger stew milk and two original stew milk. It was so smooth and tasty! I wonder why there is no such thing sell in my country? Really can't believe it! Its look simple to stew. Perhaps I'm wrong and big wrong! :)
This was a experience that I prous of myself while shopping in a mall. A foreigner lady (well, I'm foreigner as well) had came to us and asked me how to get to Starbucks. Well, Startbucks in the mall is not a easy place to spot, because it located at a corner and only the entrance show. The body hide inside.
Luckily, my memory and observation didn't fail me. I told her how to get there and even able to tell which floor (am i good or what! Proud! Proud! :P). Yes, she got it and I thought she will treat me a drink then. Well, my hope fall. :)
Here come the Timesquare! Ladies decided to walk inside the square and gentlement decided to walk outside around the square.
We met at the entrance around 1845. Next stop, eat! Can you see what we had! OK, I purposely enlarge it! We have plenty of time tonight. Someone suggested to go to space museum and we thought that was a good idea.
Today is Tuesday. This was what we got after reached the place. Shot! It's closed!!! This information actually is written in my memo and yet...crab!
Seem we were here already, we took photos as much as we like. Then we straight back to hostel and had our own activities. What's mine? Ok, I took a shower then sleep! Good night!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

My Hong Kong & Macau Trip - Day 2 (Part 2)

5 November, 2007

It was around 1900, a refreshment came from a simple cold breeze blew. We knew a colder night is waiting for us at Hong Kong Victoria Peak, 554 meters (about 1,817.6 feet) above sea level, the highest point within Hong Kong and occupies the western part of the island, a good location to view its night scene.

We took the Peak Tram, a pleasant ride ascending the mountain. The tram has been in operation for over one hundred years, and to date, no accidents have ever occurred. The journey aboard the tram took approximately eight minutes.
Upon reaching the summit there is a seven storied building in the shape of a ship. This is the Peak Tower in which there are several attractions namely, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium, and the Peak Explorer Motion Simulator.

We had spent a long night in Madame Tussauds and the night scene view spot at the top of the building.

(Above: Entrance of Madame Tussands)
(Below: Don't you think they look like brother? Ata!!)

(Above: Don't dream too much ok?!)
(Below: 参见师傅!!)

(Above: Every girl's dream to be James's girl!)
(Below: SweeT!甜蜜蜜!)

(Above: Let's Beatles!)

We walked to the top of the buildingand its time to cold. Strong cold wind blew on the day and yet, I didn't bring along my windcoat.
Luckily, the weather was great and we able to catch a nice photo.

We had ourselves exposed to the cruel wind more that 45 minutes, yet nobody want to move. Strange! perhaps we freezed!
Therefore, next stop was Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong's trendiest nightlife street. When the sun goes down, Lan Kwai Fong is the place to party, with its collection of bars, pubs, and restaurants, is a great place to get warm :)
We ended up nobody like to take a drink of beer or wine. What a lame! (Including myself :P)

After a few walk, we headed to our hostel. We rested for tomorrow trip - Disneyland!.