Today started early (7:30am) to find that no one else in Hong Kong is awake at that unearthly hour. The packed city streets of last night were now empty, with most shops closed and not a hawker in sight. Desperate for some breakfast, I wandered around for ½ hour looking for some authentic Hong Kong food. Disappointingly, all I could find was a Macca’s. So yes, my first overseas meal in 2008 was a bacon and egg McMuffin, with a hash brown and orange juice.
My plans to travel to the peak and then onto ocean park were destroyed as thick fog obscured everything 150m away. Grumpy, I wandered off for the more cultural activities Hong Kong has to offer. Smack bang in the middle of Kowloon is a park, which is surprising as it looks like another building from the outside. The whole park is enclosed in concrete walls. But once inside I forgot I was in one of the most developed cities in the world as I roamed through various themed courtyards and over Bird Lake. I was amazed to see hundreds of flamingos in the shallows. Flamingos? What the hell!
It had been 12 hours in Hong Kong and I still hadn’t seen the famed cityscape from the harbour, so I thought I’d further my cultural awareness and go to the museums and exhibitions on the promenade. Lame, but free. After a long walk escaping the city streets I discovered that the space, art, science and a fancy looking museum (don’t know what it was) were all closed on Thursdays. The only one that was open was the history museum. Totally lame. And not free. Despite forking over 1.30 for an exhibition ticket, I practically ran through, stopping only to take pictures of the stuff that looked cool. Outside on the harbour I found a big statue of Bruce Lee, which was a lot more interesting than the museum.
Thankfully I had spent more time finding the harbour than at the museums, so with my stomach grumbling for some authentic asian cuisine I headed off in search of a cheap restaurant. Hong Kong isn’t as cheap as I’d hoped, with a lot of places charging over 10 bucks for a meal. Eventually I found a nice little place called Mandarin, which yep you guessed it, sold Japanese and Italian food. Not being able to read the menus, I pointed and ended up with some Japanese chicken and rice. At least I hope it was chicken. I asked for a Hong Kong beer, but ended up with a Blue Girl Beer with IMPORTED stamped all over it. Not quite yet a Hong Kong meal, but better than the breakfast attempt.
With a few hours to kill before the titty bars opened, I decided to head up to the peak anyway, resolving that I’d do it again on a clear evening to watch the harbour light show. Caught the star ferry to Central then got the tram up to the peak tower. In the tram you’re at a 45 degree angle to the city, so it’s odd going up it. Again I was amazed at how much vegetation was in and around Hong Kong. After climbing the escalators to the top of peak tower, got some kickass but foggy views of endless, oversized buildings that put Sydney to shame. The bank of china tower was a lot higher than any of the other skyscrapers. They must be compensating for something.
Heading back down, I saw a lot of chinese people crowding around a games store. It was some company allowing people to try their games out on playstations/computers. But the odd thing was that it wasn’t just little kids playing, but the whole families – mothers and fathers included – were seriously competing against each other. Sneakily got a good picture of a Grandfather and grandson playing an MA15+ shooting game.
Also managed to get a picture of the dildos in the souvenir shop. Wasn’t easy but, as the shop lady wanted me to buy a giant Buddha.
