Dear Pipsqueaks,
To wake up this morning was more difficult than I had imagined. As the traveling days go by, that seems to be the case. Maybe my battery is running low again...really need a vacation after this vacation, haha.
As agreed the night before, we met up with Apes this morning for dimsum breakfast. Best part was, even the semi-local needed to map her way there. We also ran into the restaurant we had supper last night, and the walk there seemed shorter than the way Apes took us last night! Jokes.
A good 20 minutes walk from our hotel, we finally arrived at Lin Heung Tea House. You could tell it was a place with history, and in many ways have grown to become the eatery that it is today. Why do I say that? Because the waiters were so fierce to keep their so-called 'order' on how to do things - you need to wash your cup and utensils in tea, cannot touch the leftover set on the table in case someone wants a seat (common to share tables), and telling us some food cannot be cut into smaller pieces. I'm like, uh, we're tourists from Taiwan or Canada...whatever floats your boat. Not from mainland, hello. Geebiz, like so the fierce for what. Anyway, at least the food was good and the parents enjoyed their first-ever dimsum breakfast in Hong Kong. All smiles! And of course, thanks to Apes who made the time to come out before her shift~ always nice to spend time with the BFF. Thanks for the treat too!
(Which by the way, I'm blowdrying my hair in sessions as I write because it keeps dying off...bleh!)
Then, she dropped us off at IFC for us to start our random journey in Hong Kong. Something weird to note: Men's toilet is very scarce for some reason. My papa kept saying this toilet has a long line up, then we walked to the next and that also had a long line up. Finally, by the 4th toilet, he was able to go in without a line. Actually, in general, I don't feel Hong Kong is as convenient as Taipei in making toilets available. FYI, toilets are available in malls, metro stations, temples, and convenient shops (7-11 and Family Mart). So yes, make sure you know where to find a toilet if you intend to load up on liquids.
Having heard about the longest escalator in the world, we just had to go check it out!
"In Hong Kong, the Central - Mid-Levels Escalator system is the longest outdoor covered escalator in the world. The escalator runs a length of 800 meters and climbs 135 meters in elevation. To ride the length of the escalator takes approximately 20 minutes."
We had a blast taking the escalator through Hong Kong, passing a supermarket who's entrance was literally right at the end of a section which shared a small platform with the next flight of escalator. The most bizarre place to be seeing a door to a supermarket actually - quite out of place is what I'm trying to say. Anyway, we went in for a branch of bananas in case we get hungry later.
It felt longer than 20 minutes, but we made it to the top! After a quick water break, we decided to go up The Peak. We hopped on the next taxi and HKD22 later, we were at the ticketing area for the tram. There was a slight line up, but expected since it's one of the main attractions of Hong Kong. We reached the counter and asked for four adult tickets, and was told CASH ONLY.
You cannot imagine the number of swear words floating in my head at that moment. I mean seriously, you're a tourist attraction for heaven's sake! How can you not accept credit card?! I mean, it's not like the ticket was only a few dollars. It was HKD83 per pax, totally about HKD332. As a tourist, I'd rather spend the cash on smaller purchases than spending it buying higher priced items. And really, it's just inconvenient! If you wanted cash only, at least say so somewhere?! It didn't say cash only on your website or anywhere at the ticketing area until we reached th counter. That's just poor. Not something I'd expect from an international hub like Hong Kong. Even Machu Picchu had better signs! But okay, done venting.
After another hunt for the Bank of China to exchange money, we were on our way up the peak. Luckily there was a bank within walking distance, or else we'd just skip it altogether. Anyway, now that my parents have also gone up to see the view, I probably will not be taking the tram ever again. The Hong Kong skyline is worth the hassle once. Never again.
Oh, and if you're looking for a place to eat up there, you can try Wildfire. Their supreme pizza, risotto and quesadilla were surprisingly delicious! But it does come with a tourist location price, expected.
Returning to the bottom of the peak, we hopped on the bus towards the harbour and paid a shockingly cheap price of HKD2 per pax to cross the Kowloon. What to do in Kowloon was another mystery to solve when we get there.
Arriving at Harbour City, we had Movenpick ice cream and looked for the Avenue of Stars. Unfortunately, it was under construction so we enjoyed the river scene instead. Of course, the night scene would have been even more beautiful, but one, we had dinner plans, and two, it's the same view taking the normal ferry. So meh.
We thought it'd be a cool experience for parents to ride the ding ding, but completely forgot about the fact that we were clashing with people getting off work - super jam. So we switched to metro instead. Man, was that the longest walk ever from transport to transport. We literally walked a good 20 minutes from Wan Chai dock to reach Wan Chai station. On top of all the human traffic, I think I was nearing the end of my ability to focus. I was just happy we got on the train!
Apparently, my sister said the metro didn't accept her HKD100 for our tickets. They only take HKD100 bill only if the purchase is over HKD80. I mean, isn't that just bizarre?! I honestly can't think of why they make rules like these. But anyway, we're only visitors.
Dinner was at Fu Sing Shark Fin Restaurant at Causeway Bay. Don't worry, we didn't have any shark fin. The food was great - my favourite cha siu so far at all the restaurants we've had on this trip. Nice and juicy with a bit of crisp. And of course it was good - this restaurant was on the 2015 Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurant list! Definitely spoiled by awesome food on this trip - I'm a happy girl!
A taxi ride back to the hotel, I'm ready for bed! Well, after another session of blowdry...nights peeps!
P.S. We had a day of taking different modes of transportation! From escalator to taxi to tram to bus to ferry to metro. That should be a record in the Sung books!
P.P.S. Hong Kong needs to fix it's aircon-dripping-water-on-streets issue! Just fine anyone who's aircon drips, then problem solved!
(You literally have to bring up your bill paper to grab the dimsum from the trolleys, or else by the time it comes around to your table...all gone!)
(Apes and le sister discussing where to go next)
(At the top of the world's longest outdoor escalator trying to figure out how far is The Peak tram)
(After all the hassle of getting cash, we're finally on our way up!)
(Wildfire's pizza...YUM!)
(So trueeeee)
(Look at the view from the pier...wow)
(After a good 30mins of walking only to find this notice...GREATTT)
(THIS IS THE BEST CHASIU EVER!!!!)
(Their siu-yok is also nice and crispy)
(Can't go wrong with fried tofu - soft on the inside, crispy on the outside!)
(Their famous roasted duck - really thumbs up!)