We are having a wonderful time
in Hong Kong & so pleased that we decided to visit here one last time. Our flight
was delayed leaving Melbourne, but we were only 30 minutes late arriving here
& by the time we had cleared immigration, our bag was waiting for us. We
caught the bus to our hotel, as there was a stop in Water Street, right outside
– one of many firsts we are attempting this time.
Our 18th floor room
is compact, but has a stunning view of the Harbour across to Kowloon &
includes a comfortable KS bed, a big TV, free wi-fi & a good shower. The
package we took also includes access to the Business area on the 6th
floor, with free breakfast, coffee & tea all day & wine & snacks
from 5.30pm.
The weather is hot, over 30⁰
each day, with terrible humidity. Yesterday it felt like 40⁰, according to my
phone & I think I agree with it. We have been very pleasantly surprised by
many changes since our last trip here, where we first met our lovely Sydney
friends, Jane & David Knox & Terry McDonald & dear Norma Hutchins
from Freo, who died too soon from ovarian cancer.
Everywhere is very clean,
smoking is forbidden in many places, nearly everyone we have interacted with
speaks English (even cab & bus drivers) & the level of service we have
received in this hotel is second to none. Even our room housekeeper speaks
& understands a little English.
Long suffering old friends will
know that even though I think my needs are very simple, I am, in fact, a pain
in the neck at times – especially when travelling. I am in heaven here – congee
for breakfast every morning, with lots of interesting accompaniments; Jasmine
tea; an Australian TV station that is showing the footy (didn’t discover that
until after we paid for a week of Aussie Rules on our computer); quiet,
efficient air-conditioning & firm pillows!
On Thursday morning, we decided
to walk to the Peak Tram from our hotel in Sai Yin Pun district. We arrived
there to discover the Tram was out of action all week, and were encouraged to
catch the bus instead. This was another first & we loved it. Up at the Peak
we wandered around for a while, but it was too hot to do our usual walk around,
so we caught a different bus back to Central. I wanted to get us Octopus cards,
and we found we could at any railway station. We qualify for ‘Elder’ status
& that reduces the fares considerably.
Back in our hotel, we joined a
few others for ‘Cocktails’ which is red & white wine, beer & soft
drinks. After a couple of glasses of wine, we headed downstairs to the
restaurant here, which had a seafood buffet on offer. A few prawns &
lobster tails with salad hit the spot & I finished off with a squid ink
pasta, while Wes headed for the ice-creams.
We were replete & unready
for the surprise that greeted us in our room. Apparently, we had booked the
Romantic Package (we thought we had booked the Explorer Package) & there
was a bottle of Prosecco, a bowl of fresh fruit & a dish of chocolate,
complete with warming candle & matches. Needless to say, this was all put
in the fridge for the next night.
The next morning, we headed to
Pier 5 by taxi to catch the fast ferry to our favourite island, Cheung Chau. We
first visited it with Jane Danaher, many years ago, and we have continued to
enjoy it each time we visit Hong Kong. It cost us $2HK for 35 minutes on the
water. We retraced our steps by doing the walk that we first did with Jane
& David Knox & on the spur of the moment, Wes decided to enter the
traditional barber’s shop & have ‘the best haircut experience of his life’
– for $60HK, about $12AU.
Top to bottom: getting the customer ready; the barber begins; nearly
finished & outside the humble establishment
Afterwards we had lunch at ‘Morocco’s’
where we chose Indian curries, which were perfect with the heat. Wes had a beer
& I ordered a coconut. On the way back we went by the slow ferry, and sat
upstairs in the deluxe area – air-conditioning & tables.
Wes with his new look at lunch
Back at our hotel we discovered
that all the trappings of our Romantic Package had been cleared away, so while
we enjoyed tea & coffee on the 6th floor, we asked that they be
brought back again & they were. We didn’t need dinner after Prosecco &
fruit dipped in warm chocolate.
Yesterday we set off on the
hotel shuttle bus to catch the Star Ferry to Kowloon. However, we ended up at
Hong Kong station instead, where we were able to top up our Octopus cards &
discovered we could check ourselves & our bag into our return flights
before catching the train to the airport. As the shuttle bus travels to the
station hourly, this seems like the perfect way to get to the airport next
Friday afternoon.
Our favourite spot in Kowloon,
‘The Hong Kong Arts & Crafts Store’ was nowhere to be found, but we
strolled along Nathan Road looking for a new summer hat for me & a pink
shirt for Wes. We found the perfect shirt in Marks & Spencer &
celebrated with the most expensive cups of tea ever at Tea WG 1837.
The shop is wonderful to behold & we just loved our big pots
of tea with sorbets (mango for me & rose for Wes)
We caught the Star Ferry back
& wandered along the various laneways until we reached our hotel, where we
were very ready for the air-conditioning & footy!
The business lounge was serving
dim sum & other snacks when we headed down & that was enough (with some
glasses of wine) for dinner.
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