After Kat Hing Wai, I decided to take a short walk around the area of Kam Tin. It was a Sunday morning so the atmosphere was pretty laid-back. Very few cars were on the road, and there was the occasional bus or mini bus that passed by. People milled about a small commercial complex which houses a Wellcome store, a few restaurants, a flea market and wet market. I was tempted to buy some fish and vegetables, they looked so fresh.
I felt the sun beating down on me already as I walked. Good thing I brought an umbrella. I looked strange among the locals as I was the only one walking around with an umbrella, but what the hey, nobody cares. There was a 7-11 where I bought water for 8 HK$ since my meager water supply is almost gone. Felt such a relief when I entered the store. Airconditioning is heaven-sent!
Even if I planned to have lunch in Mong Kok or Kowloon, I know I shouldn't leave Kam Tin without having a bite to eat. Well, well, what do you know. I found a friendly neighbourhood bakery! It reminded me of Gduho bakery in Tondo which is also owned by a Chinese. The bakery in Kam Tin is full of sweet and savoury breads on display, and the atmosphere was very much like the ones here at home. So... homey. I'm so at home with the breads.
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| Doughnuts are on the top left. I bought one for 2 HK$. |
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| More yummy treats on display in front of the bakery |
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| I just have to capture the left-hand side of the road, cos I am a nerd like that. I almost forgot that the roads in Hong Kong were different than the roads here in the Philippines. Thank goodness I was able to remember that itty-bitty fact. |
By the time I decided to return to Kam Sheung Road Station, it was almost lunchtime. And then... this happened:
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| Ooh, tricky, tricky. |
Granted, that blue sign leads me to the station, but the sign beside it spells more things to see. I am not mistaken: another walled village is at hand. Tsz Tong Tsuen, I presume.
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| The red paper that is stuck on the wall looks like a temple of sorts. The structure is a corner house and on its right is a small alley that leads to more old houses. |
Walking nonstop for approximately an hour and a half warrants a break. I rested in a part of the alley where I won't be an obstruction to the passing cyclists and took a few bites of my doughnut. Augh, so, sooooo good.
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| Picnic for one, anyone? |
Towards the end of the alley I passed by a structure whose walls are covered in climbing ivy. It was so pretty and I was glad to see that it was another shopping complex called Kam Tin Red Brick House. It is more like a bazaar, and inside it was big and airy, the shops divided by one hall. At the end of the building is a small fountain with several food concessionaires and chairs and tables surrounding it. I got one table where I finished off the rest of my doughnut and studied the map once more to decide where to go next.
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| Just look at that beautiful climbing ivy all over that wall. |
The shops in Kam Tin Red Brick House are diverse, from fashion to home decor, to cedar wood to art, such as paintings. Another temptation to buy here, a block of cedar wood or something that's equally nicely scented from the shop that sells them.
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| Display in a shop in Kam Tin Red Brick House |
I enjoyed my walk around Kam Tin immensely, just soaking in the sun and
sights. Since it is quite far from the usual touristy Hong Kong stuff,
the place is so relaxing and laid-back. I love the provincial feel of
it. Also, I blended really well with the locals, just as long as I did
not open my mouth. Funny when someone tries to talk to me, I get
tongue-tied.
Parting shot: These shelves greeted me as I rounded an aisle in the Wellcome store. I was like, huwaaaaat?!
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| Some of my favourite snacks from home, available in Hong Kong thanks to Oishi. No, this is not an advertisement. |
Then again, I should not have been surprised.
next: Mong Kok and Kowloon
