Travelling Trio

Hong Kong for Four Days

• By Denise
• September 25, 2015
• 2 Comments

Its now 14 September and we have arrived in Hong Kong which was a pleasure. The flight was a short one and we arrived at night so got to see the beautiful lights the city is famous for. We caught the local bus into the city for $HK33 each (instead of the train which would be $HK100 each and a taxi just too much) and managed to get off at the right stop so that it was just a quick walk to our accommodation. However, our accommodation was a bit of a shock.

The USA Hostel Hong Kong didn’t have the best of reviews on Trip Advisor so we knew it would be a lot different to what we were becoming used to, however we were not ready for an 8th floor- 9m2 room fitting a double and single bed and a 1m2  shower toilet and handbasin area. All this to accommodate three humans and their growing set of bags. To top it off – Dave spotted live creepy crawlies on the double bed. Awful and yuck. We got the staff to come and change the bedding and give it a thorough clean although there seemed to be quite a difference between my idea of clean and theirs!! So, for the first time – out came our trusty silk sleeping bag sheets which my mum and I made just before we left. They worked a treat and we slept well without any creepy crawlies – or none that we could see….

We were staying in Kowloon and the first day again was spent finding our way and heading downtown to the Mong Kok markets. What a treat – everything you could think of from trinkets to coats to new shoes to flowers to animals…You might recall the very good bargain we got for Carter’s Asics shoes just some two weeks ago? Well if not – we bought some ‘original’ Asics in Vietnam and would you believe it – the soles are falling off already!!! That’ll teach us to buy cheap…..So anyway, we are now on the look out for some new trainers for Carter and Dave too is looking for some good walking/running shoes.

After a long day in the heat and high humidity it was time to head back to our digs. The building has two lifts – one for the even numbered floors and one for the odd. Unfortunately the lifts are slow and it can take a good ten minutes waiting before you get a lift to your room. Some would say a good walk up 8 floors would do us good – well I would usually agree but for some reason the heat is tiring me out something wicked. Just an excuse really – but the stairs actually don’t look a safe area to be walking – all concrete and not so clean.

Next day time for more sightseeing in a different direction – this time towards the sea and the Avenue of the Stars. The walk was lovely and it was refreshing being able to see Hong Kong Island just a bit more than a stone’s throw away however if you don’t have much time in Hong Kong I would give the Avenue of Stars a miss. We didn’t know the famous people – all Chinese with the one person we did know – Jackie Chan.

Off on the ferry and across to Hong Kong Island to see Victoria Peak – this is one of the famous sightseeing destinations in Hong Kong. We took the cable car up the mountain and marvelled at the scenery and sights from the peak. Hong Kong truly is a bustling city and its skyline filled with many monstrous buildings. The cable car was city planning at its best over 100 years ago.

View from Hong Kong Island

Inside the Cable Car

Dave and Carter taking a closer look!

The pricing in Hong Kong is again similar to NZ with restaurant meals on a par. Having said that, we could easily eat a lot cheaper by eating from the street side vendors or small hidden away Chinese restaurants which we did on many occasion. We had a lovely time in Hong Kong and I guess really just relaxed and didn’t over-exert ourselves in anything too much.

As it was now about 6 weeks since my last haircut I was getting tired of putting my hair behind my ears and so decided I would find it easier to get my hair cut in Hong Kong where I could probably explain what I wanted as opposed to waiting until China where the english speaking hairdressers are few and far between! Anyway – I found a salon which appeared quite good and proceeded to book my appointment that night. It was going to take an hour they said. First up was a short stint at the mirror and explaining what I wanted – my stylist got advice from another who could speak english so I felt I was in good hands. Next to the wash basin for the most wonderful head massage anyone could wish for – sublime! Then back to the mirror – my stylist got the back of my hair done beautifully but my fringe obviously caused issues – there was no feathering or thinning out like I am used to and I couldn’t explain either. So, I am stuck with a solid cut on an angle – oh where is my wonderful Amy from Main Divide in Oxford when you need her? Carter said “it looks terrible” and Dave said “Hmm its not what I expected” so I guess that tells it all….Roll on England where I can hopefully explain in english!

We’re now off to mainland China by train!