Saturday was really a travelling day. Got the hugely impressive High speed rail from Taichung to Taoyuan, very clean and tidy. I like the way you actually stand on the platform where your carriage arrives. I had to get the airport bus to the Taoyuan airport which was a bit of a queue but nothing horrendous. The good thing was that I was able to check in my bag at Taoyuan HSR.
Flight was pretty swift so got to Hong Kong by about 4.30. Got a taxi to the hotel which was in Mong Kok. Just nipped out for a bite to eat then back to the hotel to “Skype” home and type up some notes.
Off to bed early, shattered.
Sunday
Day of rest and a bit of wonder round Hong Kong. Got the Metro (MTR) from Price Edward Street Station out to Central station in Hong Kong, it goes from Kowloon side, under the harbour to main Hong Kong Island. Very cheap, about £1.
My wife Sharon (she was born and grew up in Hong Kong) had left me precise instructions, I was to visit her favourite Dim Sum restaurant in City Hall for lunch, how could I refuse!!!!! After a bit of “map dancing”……..you spin round several times staring alternately down and up, do a fake right then back left etc., I located my position and headed towards city hall.
It was quite cool for Hong Kong, everybody was in overcoats and quite a few had face masks to stop the cold air going up there nose (I am told). I was in a t-shirt and on the point of sweating!!!!
I noticed the “Gold Finger building”, famous in the James Bond film with Roger Moore, which was right behind City Hall. After a short wait, after all it was the start of Chinese New Year so a lot of families were out together, I got my seat.
I had no hesitation in ordering a bowl of fried rice and a plate of char sui (Chinese roast pork – my favourite). The dim sum (sort of little starters) comes round on trolleys so you just stop the waitress and ask for what you want, they all carry different dishes. I had some har gau (prawns in a soft casing) and sui mai (chopped pork and prawn in a sort of soft won ton case). Left very full but very happy!!!!!
After that I decided to take the Ferry back to Kowloon to the famous shopping area of Tsim Tsa Tsui. The Star Ferry is great, old 1950’s boats chugging backwards and forwards all day long to the various Islands, very cheap, about 20p. Took loads of pictures as I knew this would bring back many memories for Sharon. Headed up to the main shopping area on Nathan Road, passed the very plush Peninsula Hotel with loads of Rolls Royce’s parked outside (again I think Roger Moore pulled up outside here in the James Bond film). I resisted the temptation to walk in as if I was staying there, come to think of it the chances of getting in were slim with my “NBA City” t- shirt, light Peter Storm walking trousers and carrying a bag of cheap market trinkets!!!!!!!
Spent the rest of the day wondering back towards My Hotel (it’s about a couple of miles) through the shopping area and then in the evening the famous Temple Street markets. The market stalls are very colourful but you are expected to haggle and being British I am not very good at it “No, I insist on paying double, you work long hours in cramped, hot conditions……….” They just look at you.
Some of the most interesting places are the food stalls, especially the fresh fish and meat. And when I say fresh……. There are buckets of living fish, frogs, crabs act being sprayed with water, and you just take your pick.
Got back to Price Edward Street quite late so grabbed a grilled chicken sandwich and drink a restaurant near the hotel and looked excitedly through my bag of Chinese gifts, full to bursting but cost about £30 in total…..that’s my kind of shopping.
Got home just in time to Skype the kids to bed and do a few admin jobs then off to bed. Really enjoyable day.
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