Lost in Hong Kong: Voyage Vignettes

Just when I thought my adventure was over, I was in for another one... at the airport.

Efficiency is the best policy.

I took the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui to Hong Kong Station, where the Airport Express ends before departing once more for the airport. Before I began my adventure in the morning I saw an Airport Express billboard just above the airport's exit. The sign boasted, "The fastest link to the city. Only 24 minutes." So of course, I just had to prove that for myself when the time came for me to leave. The train arrived at 6.30pm and left after a few minutes.

There are only two stops on the way: Kowloon and Tsing Yi stations. All throughout the trip I was still marvelling at the sights at night time as everything looks so different. And yeah, was wishing I'd stayed even for just one night. Heh.

Of course the train arrived at the airport by 7pm, which was also the time the check-in counters for my flight opened. I actually timed my travel back to the airport that way so I could make the most of my time in the city. And so indeed, it only took 24 minutes! Have I mentioned that Hong Kong's public transportation is efficient?

This was taken at the beginning of my adventure.

I really don't like shopping.

When I returned my Octopus card I got back my 50HKD refundable deposit plus the cash that I wasn't able to spend. That meant more money for me to buy some souvenirs. I preferred to get some souvenirs at the airport itself since it was more convenient. Like I said in a previous post, I did not want to be lugging around a shopping bag while sightseeing all day. The weight in my backpack was enough to deal with as the day went on anyhow, light as it was. But once getting myself some goodies at the airport, they were still few enough that I was able to stuff them in my backpack.  

Ms. Lotts the explorer.

Hong Kong International Airport looked and felt very much like the city, with its hustle and bustle contained in one place. So many sights to see there. Aside from the usual airport fixtures, there were a lot of cafes, restaurants, and shops which are mostly high-end. There was even a jazz band playing in one of the restaurants. It was a very busy airport, with people rushing about or simply lounging around waiting for their flights. I almost ate at McDonald's again but decided to get dinner at another concessionaire in the food court. Unfortunately I cannot remember what I ate (took too long to write everything, did not even record what I ate, so there) but I do remember adding a red bean drink to my meal. I remember that because I took the long plastic spoon home with me, and it's still sitting in the silverware drawer at home up to now. Haha!

Killing time

There was so much time for me to kill since my flight's information on the board was a glaring red DELAYED. I was actually not surprised there since September is in the middle of the rainy season in the Philippines; for sure there was another thunderstorm that day in Manila. And depending on the thunderstorm alert level, airport operations would stall until it is safe for the operations to resume. That includes the boarding or disembarkation of passengers. Cause of delay, sure, but that is for everyone's safety. And so knowing that, I just sat wherever I felt like sitting, checked out the shops, went to the bookstore, checked my flight info, sat and read a few pages of my book, chatted with my fellow passengers, got up, rinse, repeat.

No phone? No problem!

All throughout this time I wasn't able to use my phone. I planned to charge it once I got to the airport but unfortunately, the sockets were different and I had to use an adapter which I didn't have. Did not bring, to be exact. Lesson learned? The universal adapter is an essential in travelling. One good thing stemmed out from not being able to use my phone, though. I was able to explore the airport without any distractions.

Stop! Oh yes, wait a minute, Mr. Postman!

In one of my walks around the terminal I saw a post office. It was already closed but there is a machine that sells stamps and slots for putting the mail in for within Hong Kong and abroad. There was a sign that said that the mail will be picked up at so-and-so time so that meant I can send myself a postcard. It's another way of mine to get a souvenir from a place I've visited because at least it's light, it costs less, and it gets delivered straight to my home. Just one of the benefits of not carrying a shopping bag.

Another fun factor in sending myself a postcard via snail mail is that I will see something with my name on it when I open the mailbox. Oh wow, a postcard for me! Who's it from? Oh. Me.  

I went back to the bookstore to get a postcard and wrote what I could of my one-day adventure. And silly me, I almost couldn't find the post office when I retraced my steps but after carefully going around the area, I found it and was able to mail the postcard. It arrived after two weeks.

Postcard for me, from me. Harhar.

HKGHKGHKGHKGHKG

I kept a tight lookout for my flight's status despite feeling sleepy as the night wore on. That was no wonder because my day started at dawn, and what an eventful day it turned out to be. Then when I was deep into my book I heard my flight being announced on the PA two hours on the time when it was supposed to depart from Hong Kong. Oh well. Finally!

Was out like a light from the moment the flight attendants finished their safety demo and stayed that way until we landed in Manila.

The end.

Lost in Hong Kong: Epilogue

My nerdy sensibilities satisfied, I decided to explore the rest of Tsim Sha Tsui in a totally random manner with the boardwalk as my endgame. By this time it was already around 4pm, which meant I had approximately two hours to kill before heading back to the airport in time. My phone was also about to die so I had to shut it down eventually to conserve battery after taking exactly ten photos around the boardwalk (I literally counted them just now; didn't know they numbered ten back then).

The soy milk was so yummy I bought another one with a different flavour in a 7-11.

I saw a queue that led to this Vitasoy Go! van upon exiting the park. The tetra packs of flavoured soy milk were given for free so of course, get in line I did. I got the oat biscuit flavour which really tasted good. Perfect since it was also served cold.  

Right behind the Vitasoy Go! van is an ice cream truck called Mobile Softee that sells soft-serve ice cream, drumsticks, ice cream cups and jumbo orange. I got a cone of the soft-serve ice cream to enjoy along with my half-drunk soy milk. What? It was such a hot day, don't judge.

Those super sosi malls and high-end boutiques which I passed by on my way to the boardwalk didn't catch my attention that much, pretty as they are. But almost everything that I passed by along the boardwalk caught my attention that I wanted to see them all at once. So many people all around, locals and tourists alike enjoying the sights and sounds. Photographers who will take your photo with the Hong Kong side as backdrop. People boarding and alighting from the ferry. Junk boats gliding along Victoria Harbour. Stalls that sell fun souvenirs. A local band playing in the amphitheatre which I enjoyed watching. Hong Kong Island glimmering in the afternoon sun. It looked like it was glaring at me as if it knew I wouldn't have enough time to spare in exploring it. And oh wait, I found Jackie Chan's star along the Avenue of Stars (NOT Comic Stars haha)!

Recalling all of these brings such a silly smile. Normally I would shy away from crowds and ultra-touristy places, but I can really and truly say that I've enjoyed every bit of this last phase of my Hong Kong trip that I practically wrapped myself up in all of its touristy glory like a sushi.

Clock Tower.

Junk boat

To have gone on a solo trip abroad for a day is by far the craziest thing I have ever done as a traveller. Bloopers came out of the woodwork: I was mistaken for a local a couple of times (thanks to my generic features), shyness and nervousness got to me in the best of times that I nearly forgot how to speak; and the funniest thing of all, I almost had no idea what my next destination would be until I decided on the spot where I wanted to go... and then I would have to just begin the process of figuring out how to get there.

Talk about inconveniencing oneself, huh. But what the hey, I kinda find it funny. Even see it as an adventure. Something to tell my grandkids in the future. That is, if I ever get married and have kids first.

Here's a confession, though. Since I blended in so beautifully with the locals, I did not even have to try hard to pretend to be one as long as no talking was involved. And then there's also this little thing called running monologue going on and on in my head time and again. Am I walking in the right direction? Where's my map? Don't look too obvious! Look straight ahead! No eye contact! Oh wow, that's a nice view! Lemme call my friend... oops, cannot be. Time and place, there's a time and place for that. Just enjoy the freaking view!

Something to that extent.

When all is said and done, going  on this crazy Hong Kong day tour also happened to be the most fun trip abroad I've had in a long time. It was very much unlike the times I've travelled alone before. There were no family or friends to stay or hang out with this time. I was all by myself in a strange place where I had to rely on the kindness of strangers and even on my meager knowledge of the city. And while Hong Kong was a British Colony, not everyone spoke English, so there's the matter of language. Lastly, the decisions on where to go, how to get there and what to do when I arrive, they were all my own doing.

And it's all so new.

Fun.

Scary.

Exciting.  

Discombobulating.

Ha.

Simply fantastic.

Given the chance, I'd gladly do it again. Just not on a day tour anymore, though. Maybe a minimum of three days would be sufficient.

Very last photo I took in HKG before I shut off my phone.

Fin

Or maybe not. Nyahaha.

Get lost with me on my HKG adventures! :)

A Primer

Kat Hing Wai

Rambling Around Kam Tin

Mong Kok

(Mis)Adventures in Kowloon Park

Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre

Lost in Hong Kong: Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre

The Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre opened its doors to visitors back in October of 2005, but its history goes way, way back when Hong Kong was still a British Colony. Built around 1910, blocks S61 and S62 of the Whitfield Barracks was used to accommodate the British soldiers up until 1967, the year it was handed over to the government for public use. Today, the Centre occupies the two blocks and it houses magnificent permanent and thematic exhibition galleries, educational activity rooms, a lecture hall, and a reference library. Guided tours of the Centre are also available in English and Cantonese.

Let me just say that this is simply perfect for someone born with nerdy sensibilities. Like this silly solo traveller here, who first found the Centre a welcome respite from walking under all that heat. The lovely courtyard even earned only a slight glance as I came in. But it is when I reached the second floor that my sensibilities went haywire, I literally had to stop myself from giggling like a schoolgirl. I was that excited even if I was just by the exhibit's entrance, all because I saw the blurb "Explore Our Heritage". And so just like the little red hen who baked bread from scratch all by herself, I did! Explore Hong Kong's heritage, that is!

Simply amazing.

I wasn't able to catch the guided tour in English so I went on my merry lonesome way inside the exhibit. It is so amazing to discover that Hong Kong is a treasure trove of archaeological sites. Most dated back from the prehistoric period, and a lot of artifacts from China's dynasties were also on display. There is an  architectural exhibit as well which showcases the different architectural designs throughout history that could be found in Hong Kong.

I must say that I am awed at how the people of Hong Kong was able to preserve their historical and cultural heritage. The displays themselves speak volumes on how much they value them. Modern technology meets the traditional way in putting up the exhibit and everywhere I looked was a "Wow!" moment. There were times when I could not contain myself from marvelling aloud. I even jumped in excitement when I saw the Ming Dynasty display. And why wouldn't I, I haven't seen a museum yet in recent history that thought of putting up a display within the floor. The tourists there might have thought me crazy, all giggly and jumpy and excited and talking to myself. Haha!

The LED screen on the left is blank... until you place your hand on the handprint. :)

Pottery shards with different patterns

Audio guide to the artifacts display. The lighted button in the middle (green) is in English. The top and bottom buttons (blue and red, respectively) are for Chinese dialects, I don't remember which is which.

"Self portrait" on the Ming Dynasty display. I can't believe I'm standing on a museum display!

Well-preserved dishes from the Ming Dynasty

This Look and Turn display is within the architectural exhibit. As the name implies, people look in the small windows (there are three) to view the model of the featured historical building. And to see the model in all angles, one should turn the wheel at the base. This one is for the Tai Fu Tai Mansion.

And for the life of me, I cannot remember the name of this building is, only that it is a school. This view is from the bottom window of the Look and Turn.

After satisfying my nerdy cravings, I proceeded to the exit when I passed by an activity room where a workshop was ongoing at that time. The lovely lady at the doorway invited me in and I almost refused even if admission was free. I'm so glad I changed my mind in that nanosecond.

There were two college age-looking guys who were in charge of the workshop. One of them spoke to me in Chinese and he must have seen the confused look on my face so he switched to English. It was a DIY workshop in pen holder making, with emphasis on Hong Kong's archaeological past.

My map just made a cameo. Bwahahaha

The procedure was very easy: just colour the drawings on the sticker paper using markers, cut them out then stick them on the coloured paper. Don't mind the blue cardboard anymore; just put a strip of the double-sided tape on one end of the coloured paper and attach the other end to it, making sure that it will fit the base and the top ring once attached. And voila! Now I have a pen holder! (Not to mention a free souvenir!)

My very own pen holder! ^_^

 

I know I should feel awkward when I am the only adult among the throng of children making a pen holder, but I didn't. Not even when all the other adults in the room were helping their kids make their own pen holders as well as taking their pictures with the finished product. Making the pen holder was such a fun experience for me, it took me back to the time when I was a kid myself and enjoyed arts and crafts. I'm so proud of that pen holder that it has its own special spot in the house. :)

Visiting the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre is definitely a must when one is in Hong Kong. On my next trip there, when I am not so crazy as to go on a day tour, I'll be sure to spend more time in the Centre. In fact, it showed me how Hong Kong is more than just a shopping destination; it is a city very rich in culture and history worth learning. 

 

The Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre is in Kowloon Park along Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Admission is free.

Get lost with me on my Hong Kong adventures :)

A Primer

Kat Hing Wai

Rambling Around Kam Tin

Mong Kok

(Mis)Adventures in Kowloon Park

up next: photo essay, maybe epilogue. i dunno, we'll see. lol

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