Lost in Hong Kong: (Mis)Adventures in Kowloon Park

My next and which turned out to be my last stop is Tsim Sha Tsui, located in the southern part of Kowloon. It is a major tourist hub where hotels, restaurants, parks, museums, and the like abound. Tsim Sha Tsui is also a shopper's paradise. In fact, there are several shopping malls down one road alone, among other malls that dot the area. So when I got off the train at Tsim Sha Tsui Station... 

I had no idea where to go next since I only planned on going to Tsim Sha Tsui, but not exactly what to do there (cue in my trusty map and the extensive map in the MTR station). At that time I only knew that Tsim Sha Tsui is a touristy place, that's it.

I carefully studied the map in the station and saw Kowloon Park. The map stated that I should go out at Exit A1. I would just like to say that I was by the N and P exits at this time, in which its distance from A1 would be like walking from the end of Building A to B in Megamall. Or at least it seemed like that because my legs were starting to protest and more importantly, I needed to eat already. So I guess walking towards A1 is a mean feat for someone who walked practically nonstop for the better part of the day and only had snacks for nourishment so far. Yay me! Hahaha!

I actually asked the lady at the customer service desk if I could ride a bus from Exit N5 to Kowloon Park, but in a stern voice she told me that it is too near so I should just go to Exit A1. Gulp. It was a loooooong walk from N to A1 but thank heavens I finally got out of the station. Looking at the map again now, I could have gotten out through Exit C1 which is just across from where I was and saved myself some energy. But I guess the lady's directions worked out well in the end. 

There was a Mc Cafe (McDonald's) on a street just off Nathan Road and I made a beeline for it. The place was packed and I didn't care anymore that I was once again choosing the familiar over trying something unique. Arguing with myself proved to be futile since my mind was already set on filling my stomach with something substantial, and fast. I settled on a stool on a table among strangers and enjoyed my cheeseburger meal. Hey, no one can go wrong with cheeseburgers and fries. Ever. :)

While I was studying my map in Mc Cafe, I saw the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre to be within Kowloon Park so that became my main destination. Little did I know that on the way there, I would be wonderfully sidetracked by several other attractions in the park, which included the Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars, the Chinese Garden, the Aviary, Pool Complex, Bird Lake, and that fateful bridge, which will have sort of a special mention later on.

Upon entering the sprawling 13.3 hectare Kowloon Park, the first attraction I saw is the Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars. It opened in 2012 and features twenty-four larger-than-life-sized famous comic characters and ten bronze handprints of comic artists. Actually had a blooper here. I mistook this attraction to be a part of the Avenue of Stars at first since I thought "comic stars" meant comedians. Learned that it meant comic book characters and it is a whole different tourist attraction from Hong Kong's Avenue of Stars, which is located right at the promenade overlooking Victoria Harbour. Hee-hee, my bad.

Walking further, I arrived at the Chinese Garden. There was a covered walkway on one side where a lot of women converged to relax and have their lunch. In the middle of the garden is a pond with a gazebo and bridge which spans the breadth of the pond. Would have loved to sit for a while in the gazebo but seeing that there were several people already lounging there, I opted to hang out by the other end of the bridge instead. In the lake were several turtles sunning themselves on rocks and fallen tree trunks. There was also a sign there stating not to feed the wildlife that live in the park. 

Chinese Garden

Terrapins

Just sitting there for a while was enough for me to marvel at seeing lush greenery and wildlife in the middle of the metropolis. It is easy to think that I am in some place far away from the hustle and bustle of the city even if parts of the city skyline peeked over the treetops.

The Pool Complex and the Aviary were a nice surprise since I came across them by accident. The pool was open to the public and there were many families enjoying the cool waters on that day. And why shouldn't they, the weather was perfect.

As I rounded the top of a hill, I saw the grand rocky entrance of the Aviary. I had to go down several steps to get to the Aviary but get there I did. The Aviary houses several exotic bird species in addition to the wild ones that reside in the park. I like how it is very well-kept. The birds seemed content in their surroundings too. 

When I exited the Aviary, I finally spied a sign pointing to the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. I followed the path leading to the place; however, the lovely flamingoes hanging out in Bird Lake caught my attention. I was so excited to see real-life flamingoes again since it's been eons since I've seen some. Photo ops, then? You bet. I took as many as I could from my camera phone.

The nearest my phone can reach

Tranquility in the midst of a bustling metropolis

After taking photos, I went on the path which I thought was still the way to Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. But lo and behold, there was no Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in sight. Instead, I found myself standing before a bridge that led to China Hong Kong City instead. Since I was already there, it wouldn't hurt to take a look what's beyond the bridge, and so I crossed it under the heat of the scorching sun.

Taken from the bridge

There were more buildings than trees in this area so there was little protection from the glaring light and heat. Still, I pressed on. There is a view deck just beyond the ferry dock where I had a great view of Hong Kong Island. It just became too hot for me eventually so I retraced my steps back to the park with the intention of getting to Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, making sure to follow every sign that pointed to my destination. 

Victoria Harbour

There were no more lovely distractions this time, except for a group of Filipinos in the thick of a cheerdance rehearsal which I watched for a little bit. Then, continuing on my way, I finally found what I was looking for.

*insert victory cry here*

Get lost with me on my Hong Kong adventures :)

A Primer

Kat Hing Wai

Rambling Around Kam Tin

Next: Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre

Lost in Hong Kong: Mong Kok

After my historical rambles in Hong Kong's New Territories, I took the train once more to the two most touristy districts in my book: Mong Kok and Kowloon. In Manila, Mong Kok and Kowloon are synonymous to Chinese restaurants, as are Wan Chai and Aberdeen (Court). Little did I know that the names of these restaurants originated from the different districts in Hong Kong until I travelled there. Funny thing is, I didn't eat in any of the restaurants in Mong Kok and Kowloon. With the exception of having some street food, I forgot to eat a proper lunch because I was so enamoured walking and enjoying the sights.

But here I go again, I'm getting ahead of myself. So let me begin with the time I stepped off the MTR and into Mong Kok Station, which I found to be a very bustling place at noontime.  

I recalled the helpful guy at the tourist counter in the airport say that the Ladies' Market in Mong Kok opens at noon, so that was definitely in my itinerary as well as Sneaker Street. To do that, I got out the exit nearest Sneaker Street and was treated with a visual delight of signs, signs, and more signs. Wow! is the first thing that came to mind. It must look more impressive at night time when all of them are lighted.

My first view of Mong Kok as I exited the station

Busy-not-so-busy street.

While it was a Sunday and there's the underlying tranquility that goes with the day, the tourists and locals made the general atmosphere of the place more alive. I would have loved to stay in a corner and people watch for a while but there were no benches to be seen so I did the next best thing: try out the street food.

Electronic stores and massage parlors abound on one strip with a smattering of street food stalls in between them.  As I walked along the street, I met a couple of Filipinos walking by and chatted them up for a bit. It was fun meeting people from my own country and just getting to know them even for a short while. The couple then took me to a stall that sold interesting-looking street food.

There were the familiar isaw (chicken and pork intestines), fried tofu, lobster balls, squid balls, siomai, and roasted squid on sticks. Then there's waffles, and this bubble wrap-like pastry and most probably another kind of innards stewed in a spicy sauce. On closer look it looked like it's the part that Filipinos cook to make chicharon bulaklak but I'm not entirely sure of it. Bottles of different sauces are available for each. 

What IS that bubble wrap pastry called? It looks so yummy. (regrets, regrets)

These I am more familiar with except for the one in the pan on the right.

I don't know why I chose the common squid balls and not the unique pastry that looked like a bubble wrap that's shaped like a taco AND came in different flavours. Now I'm left wondering what it tasted like. At any rate, the squid balls were still unique as they were stewed in curry instead of fried, which is what we commonly have in the Philippines. The couple I met suggested that I put some sauce on my curry squid balls and I chose hoisin sauce instead of the angry-looking chili sauce that they put on theirs (they also bought the bubble wrap pastry). One styro cup of curry squid balls cost 40HKD.Yum!

Let me just stay that how I wished I had someone with me to share my huge serving of curry squid balls.

Top view. But this is really big I almost couldn't finish it.

After thanking the couple, I walked on, checking out the different stores that sold sneakers of different brands. I was so tempted to buy a pair of Adidas Superstar in one store but the idea of lugging a shopping bag for the rest of my day did not appeal much so just as with my decision back in Kam Tin, I put the notion of shopping off for the next time I visit.

Everywhere I looked, there were signs as to where a tourist can go within the district so it was easy to get to Tung Choi Street, where Ladies' Market is located. Like I mentioned before, no one would have a hard time getting around Hong Kong as there are signs everywhere. Even the street signs are large enough that one can't help but take notice of them. 

Yep, no one would get lost with these signs. :)

Now this IS a street sign!

A large pink sign at the entrance of Tung Choi Street described the street's history. It's interesting to note that most of the streets in Mong Kok are named after vegetables that were previously grown in the area after it was cleared for development in 1924. Tung Choi means Water Spinach. The sign also stated that much of the Street and its surrounding area's development took place between 1924 and World War 2. It was a residential area up until the 1960s when it became a commercial district. The international oil crisis in the early '70s paved the way for the unemployed workers to put up their own stalls along the street, eventually bringing in the trade of inexpensive but fashionable women's clothes and accessories which used to be in Temple Street in Yau Ma Tei. 

Most of the vendors already had their wares up for sale when I arrived at Tung Choi Street. I'm glad I caught the early shopping rush as there weren't a lot of people yet.

The entrance at Tung Choi Street.

This reminds me a lot of Carriedo St. in Quiapo, Manila

Traditional Chinese blouses and dresses are sold alongside more contemporary ones in this stall.

Strolling around Mong Kok felt very much like home. I'd like to stay longer but being on a schedule, I hied myself off to Kowloon by bus. 

Or should I say, I tried. But again, since I was too shy/scared to ask around, I took the train once more, which by now felt like second nature already. 

To be continued :)

Get lost with me on my Hong Kong adventures :)

A Primer

Kat Hing Wai

Rambling Around Kam Tin

waiting game

i originally planned to moan and groan about my present situation. but like in the much-beloved series of books called choose your own adventure, i decided against it. instead, i turned to page 100 and chose to listen to music, hymns to be specific. i love hymns, the one below being one of them. i guess i can also say it somewhat convicted me.

 lyrics are in the video so won't be adding them here. hit play!!!





I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

sunday currently vol.16

 currently reading: still warsaw requiem. also reading supergirl fanfiction. :)

writing: this post

listening: cherish by the association. just hit play!


thinking: of life

smelling: the fresh smell of rain

wishing: on a star

wearing: maxi dress

loving: some stuff

wanting: a lot of things

needing: necessities

feeling: frustrated

i think this post should also be entitled "vague." haha.

good night!