AROUND HONG KONG

One of the highlights of 2014 was the Hong Kong - Macau trip I planned for my mom's birthday weekend. You know how some people treat Hong Kong like its the extension of their backyard? Coming every so often, staying for days on end, and developing an understanding of the city's ins and outs? I'm not one of them. Although I've been there before, this trip was the first time I felt that I've never had a complete grasp of the city. Knowing this made Hong Kong all the more attractive for me. The old and the new, the cosmopolitan and the traditional, the British and the Chinese... it's a melting pot of contradictions that I cannot wait to immerse deeper into.

Why this realisation all of a sudden? Maybe it comes with age, but it was also the first time I actually took to the streets and explored places aside from the Mongkok night market, Ocean Park, and Disney Land. I can't wait to go back!!! But first, let me pass on the HK bug and share with you Day 1 of our trip. 

I booked Scoot to Hong Kong and it has easily become my favorite budget airline because of the spacious seats which are comparable to commercial airlines' making it waaaay roomier than the standard A320s.

Bye for now, Changi!

I waited 2 hours inside the HKIA Terminal parked in a bench, watching Scandal, as I waited for my mom's flight to arrive (which arrived later than scheduled, what's new Cebu Pacific?) 

Modern structures

Breakfast at Deli France

My momma :)

From the airport, we took the Airport Express which connects to the public MTR stations. Hong Kong's public transport is quite navigable and well connected, and it was easy getting from the airport to our hotel. 

We stayed at Rainbow Hotel, upon my colleagues recommendation, which is reasonably priced for HK standards. It's near the Jordan MTR station making it very accessible. By luck, we got to check in as soon as we arrived and it made life so much easier!

The busy streets of Jordan. Why Jordan? Because it was where my Rodriguez side stayed during my last visit and I remembered it was so convenient and you can even walk home from the Mongkok Night Market (which we didn't do this visit because of the protests at that time)

We went to this BBQ pork restaurant just behind Jordan Street for lunch. And mmmm, so good. The staff didn't really speak much English but contrary to stereotypes, they were still really nice and accommodating. 

The menu has pictures so even non-Chinese speakers can order with ease. The pork was soooo good. So much better than anything I've tasted in Singapore and Manila ✌️

Me and my mom all-smiles after our meal and posing with our food, haha

the mandatory Hong Kong street pose (which I've used in this post on Counter Indifference)

Cute their public bus, noh?

Taking a picture with the "Temple Street Market" sign as a marker for our evening plans, haha

Interesting detail in this residential building.

Introduced my mom to my current favorite ice cream - Green Tea Häagen-Dazs.

Kowloon Union Church's pretty facade

I love brick buildings and Hong Kong had a big share of it!

just had to take a photo with this capturing facade - the play of lines is very interesting, noh?

Kowloon side at night

Good night, Hong Kong!

Notice there are no dinner photos? I saved our superb and visually stunning experience for the next entry. ♥

xx