Left to right: Tien Hun, Mei, Yun Fen, Xiang Hong, Samantha, Janelle and Me!
DAY 1:
Departed Singapore at 7.35am, my flight to Hongkong with Singapore Airlines is really a nice experience. The staffs were wonderful and super friendly. The way they greeted the passengers, you can feel their warmth. I guess that is why Singapore Airlines is one of the best, (nonsense - probably the best) airlines Singapore has to offer.
Second time to Hong Kong in the same year. Not alone, however, with a group of friends - BHSO committee member (not all though).
Once touched down at Hong Kong International Airport, the captain briefed us about the current weather at that point of time. I was quite amazed because he announced that it was 15*C and it doesn't feel like 15*C at all. What's worse, one of my friends took off her jacket because she say it's hot. I reckoned probably we're indoors. That's why we don't really feel it.
Once we stepped out from the station, we felt the strong wind blowing. Everyone started wearing their jacket. Looked for this restaurant where one of us have reserved. Food ordered ranging from Chicken and Beef fried noodle, Roasted Chicken Wing and this huge ass soufflè. Shared among the 7 of us.
Took the MTR to our apartment and we realised that the apartment is actually very very spacious and clean. 3 bedrooms all for the girls. And we guys (being gentlemen) sleep on an airbed at the living room. Plus point, we have a huge television and a playstation set all to ourself. So not so bad afterall.
Our apartment right in the middle of Causeway Bay, just a 5 minutes walk from the Times Square and Lee Garden.
We set off to our second destination of the day which is Sai Kung (West Province in Cantonese). This town is near the seaside, therefore famous for their seafood. About an hour journey from our apartment, we took the MTR and this public light bus (Bus No. 1A) which only carries 16 passengers. And trust me this light bus is very fast and it feels like a roller coaster ride up and down the hills. It reaches the speed of 80 km/hr. You only need to pay HK$8.40 or you can tap your fare using the Octopus Card. I got mine at the Airport for HK$150 with a stored value of HK$100
Arrived in Sai Kung and we quickly head to a seafood restaurant. Ordered and with 7 dishes and desserts which cost HK$1443 thats about SG$40 per person for 7 different types of seafood dish. Cheap isn't it?
Headed back to apartment and had a good night sleep.
DAY 2:
My morning was greeted by rude neighbours as they were chatting loudly at 7am and it disturb me and a few of my other friends.
Got up and I'm all ready by 9am. So I decided to walk around Causeway Bay first while waiting for the rest to be ready by our planned time - 10am. Walked from Leighton Street all the way to Henessy Street with a cup of tall Vanilla Latte to keep myself warm in this cold morning. Well, having a Starbucks directly below your apartment is good isn't it?
Once done, all of us wanted to have this famous milk pudding for brunch. However once we reached the place, it only open at noon. So we look around for other things to eat. We found this restaurant which sells good breakfast just opposite The milk pudding shop.
I had this set B breakfast set which comprises of Satay Beef with Instant Noodles, Scrambled Eggs, Crispy Bun and Coffee/Tea. All for HK$32 (SG$5). Cheap.
After this heavy breakfast, we set for Tom Lee Music Store nearby. However, what I wanted is kind of limited there and the design is not really nice. Its a violin shoulder rest anyway.
Once done, I left the group. We promise to meet up back at the apartment by 6pm. Went back to the apartment (nearby only) for wifi to look out for address. Save addresses and then I depart for Tung Chung, where the factory outlets are.
Once I reached City Gate, I realised something, I forgot my Masters Card which is in my Singapore wallet! Therefore I have to shop with whatever cash I have left. And that is HK$ 1020 (SG$175). Bought a Timberland shoes and Puma running shorts and I'm left with HK$ 300 (SG$51). I felt so stupid.
Have to go back to the apartment just to collect my card. I've decided not to join the rest for dinner and shall complete my shopping by tonight since they wanted to go Lamma Island tomorrow.
Once back to Apartment, saw the MARCOMM just finished with their meeting. Told one of them what actually happen and that I'm not joining for dinner.
MTR-ed to Tsim Tsha Sui and straight I went to Tom Lee Music Store. Spend close to 2 hours exploring this building. Its bigger and have more choices of instruments, books and accessories compared to the ones at Causeway Bay. Bought my violin shoulder rest and more exercise books for my theory exam in March because its generally cheaper here.
Went to eat Phad Thai with Iced Lemon Tea at this Thai Restaurant nearby. Apparently the person who took my order is so cute and we kept on having eye contact. Can't tell if the person is chinese or thai. Maybe mixed. Haha.
Head to Fa Yuen Street, Mongkok - the shoe haven - to look for a shoe for my nephew. Its an advanced birthday present for him. He wanted a Nike Roshe. But Nike Roshe is too expansive. I decided to buy for him Nike Air instead. And bought myself a running shoe also. New Balance. Somehow its more comfortable than the one I have and its cheap. Shall try tomorrow morning. Spend about 2 hours looking for his shoes and being the indecisive me, its difficult for me to choose the design that suit him because most of the designs are the ones that I'd prefer.
Enough with shoes, I decide to head back to Causeway Bay to put my stuffs in the apartment and decide to rest for the night & wait for everyone to come back.
Once I reached apartment, everyone was back. So we chatted, planned and decided to head to Lamma Island tomorrow
DAY 3:
Woke up earlier to run today. Planned my route towards Hong Kong Park and its only 3km!
Decided to run again this time with jacket. Managed to run 2.5km and trust me you wouldnt want to run at this temperature. Its effing cold and I my brain is about to explode that I decided to stop and cab back - I brought HK$100 with me.
Went to this Dim Sum restaurant nearby for breakfast. Learnt something that after pouring or being served chinese tea, we have to knock the table using two fingers bent to thank the person who's pouring.
Then we headed to Central Pier by MTR to Central Station to take a ferry to Lamma Island. We can use the Octopus card or by paying HK$21 to take the ferry at Central Pier 4. The rest of the pier will bring you else where for example Tsim Tsha Sui. There will be two ferry routes to the Lamma Island. Either through Sok Kwu Wan or Yung Shue Wan pier. We chose Yung Shue Wan since the ferry is saliling in 5 minutes.
In the ferry, I fell asleep even though the water was quite rough. Once we reach Yung Shue Wan Pier, the scenery of Lamma Island is really awe-inspiring. I didnt know that there's such place in Hong Kong. It's actually a village and there's a trail for tourist to explore from one pier to the other. The whole trail - or hike i should say - will take half a day.
We started from Yung Shue Wan Pier, full of cantonese speaking ang moh (locals) or english speaking chinese. Probably these people grew up here.
There're decent cafes as well. Like for example The Book Cafe, patrons can enjoy the books provided in the cafe, or thier own, plus enjoying delicacies the cafe have to offer. What a good idea isn't it?
We stopped this beancurd stall "Ah Puo Tau Huey" which means Grandma's Beancurd. Instead of sugar syrup, they used honey.
We continued the trail which forks to a steep slope to a wind turbine and another road to the Beach. This turbine is built to generate electricity for Lamma Island. Built in 1996, they also installed solar panels to generate electricity to the lamp posts nearby. Here you can get a good view of Hong Kong Island too.
Only four of us manage to climb that steep slope while the other 3 gave up halfway.
We came back down to the path and continue the trail to the beach. There the other three was having thier teabreak and so we joined them, to rest our legs as well. Had Iced honey lemon. We also ordered Fried Samosa and Spring Rolls to share around.
We continued shortly after and we stumbled upon a organically-grown herb farm named Herboland. Couldn't take photos there so we just walk around the farm trying to recognise some herb plants like eg Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Lavender and many more.
Back to our track we head up all the way through the Family Trail which leads to the top of the hill. About 30minutes later we're at the hill top. Got myself a frozen pineapple there and after phototaking we're back on our track down to the other side of the hill (to Sok Kwu Wan pier).
Came across a few pavillions to take photo of the amazing view and also a grotto (a cave-like place) which named Kamikaze Grottos. This grotto, which was dug by the Japanese during the Japanese Occupation, having a plan to hide some speedboats for surprise attacks on the Allies' warships but the war was over before the grotto is completed.
Continued to Sok Kwu Pier which is 15 minutes away from the grotto. And after much walking up and down, we've reached and on our way back to Central Pier.
Back at Central, we went to this famous chicken and goose rice stall to have dinner. Cross over we found this shop recommended by Xiang Hong to try thier egg tart at Tai Cheong Bakery. The egg tart just melt in your mouth and i finished it within 4 bites! Wanted to get one more but I decided to get sugar puff instead. This sugar puff tasted like you-tiao coated with sugar. That's all. But it's nice!
After that we split. Walked around Central and Sheung Wan and headed back to apartment as my legs started to feel the sore from the hike. On my way back, i bought stuffs like mask and shampoos at Sasa and Watsons to replenish my toiletries. Its cheap there.
Oh! I tried this dessert too. Hui Lau Shan. That's the name of the store! Its everywhere in Hong Kong. Their specialty is mango. I bought this drink with sago, coconut juice, mango juice and mango bits. Although I wanted Mango Pomelo Sago but it ran out of stock.
Pack and sleep!
DAY 4:
Went down to starbucks to get a cup of yogurt with muessli to have something before we checkout. Checked out apartment at 9.30am and we cabbed straight to Hong Kong MTR Station to in-town check in our luggage. This is very good for night flights like us and we don't want to carry our luggage around. This facilities and service is really good.
Mei and Janelle left us after that for their flight which is at 12pm! Then the five of us head to Jordon, Kowloon for breakfast. It's there that I've tried one of the best milk pudding ever. Its damn delicious.
We went to Tom Lee there, the one that I went to to get my shoulder rest. We walked from Jordan to Tsim Sha Tsui to kill time.
My friends thought me how to pronounce Tsim Sha Tsui which is Chim Sha Chui. Basically, replace Ts with Ch! Its quite of a tongue twister at first. After that I got the hang of it.
Reached and again I bought another music book for my practical exam - Bach: 6 Cello Suites arr for Solo Viola.
After that we split and promised to meet at SOGO (Causeway Bay) at 4.30pm. Having not much cash left (HK$180), Octopus card (HK$6.4) and realising that I've checked in my mastercard in my luggage, I've got nothing to shop with. So I decide to head to Tom Lee, bought a manuscript book, a music writing set for a total of HK$80 and head down to Causeway Bay.
With 3 hours to spare, I went to a Starbucks near SOGO and work on a random arrangement of "We wish you a merry christmas".
At 4.30pm, we meet up and walked around SOGO to do our last minute snacks shopping (not for me and Xiang Hong), and we head to airport for our flight back to Singapore!
A short and enjoyable trip to close the gap between me and the BHSO guys which I rarely talk to during Sunday practices.
On a short note, I'm missing Hong Kong weather right now.
