Sneak Into Hong Kong

I would just say that I was just sneaking into Hong Kong - the greater Hong Kong that is.  Literally short time to explore despite the 8 days..  It was cold winter in Hong Kong and sunset comes around 5.. Meeting ended at 5:30.  So most of my time is well spent in this avenue.. here at the Asia World Expo..

So in my 8 days in Hong Kong, I just have time to do some window and real shopping - its indoor and open till late... Only night time is free and weather is too cold, so for me going to attraction like The Peak is almost impossible. I'm glad to discover, despite the remote location of the meeting avenue near the airport, there are factory outlet quite nearby - Tung Chung Outlet, about 10 minutes shuttle travel from Marriot Hotel, FOC run at half an hour interval to and fro. 



One of the favorite outlet at Tung Chung is this Coach Factory Outlet.  Many items at half price and favorite spot for tourist and locals alike..

On second night I try to explore further with few friends.  Take the shuttle to Tung Chung, then take train to city center.

MTR Tung Chung also serves next station to Disneyland Resort

After an MTR line exchange, I stop at Mong Kok Station which is famous for street market namely Ladies Market.  If you go to Hong Kong, you need to see Ladies Market.  It's where the locals and tourist shop or just be there to see the Hong Kong happenings.  There are rows and rows of shopping arcades, business premises and banks. Then there is this street market call Ladies Market but does not necessarily sell ladies goods.  You need to haggle because the price is high.  Aku memang tak suka tawar menawar so this place is not for me.  The place looks just like Petaling Street, and some retailers are crooks, if you get the bargain price but you didn't purchase - wait for the loud swear.  Memang sebijik macam penyangak kat Petaling Street.  Even the things they sell also almost similar.  I have read all about their rudeness over the forum so I'm all prepared.  I just bought some fridge magnet and wools socks/handglove. 

Just outside Mong Kok Station on Monday night - the busy street mall will get busier on Friday and Saturday night..

Me on Nelson Street - Ladies Market is the picture of Hong Kong, dynamic, condense, colorful and vibrant..

There are many mid-brand shops here as well.  Many things are on sale.. You name it.. shoes, handbags, branded cosmetics, facial care, jeans, shirts, watch...  Its ori so its not like cheap cheap, but it's definitely cheaper than Malaysia.  You can get a Reebok/Nike/Adidas shoes for a price of Bata shoes.  Geox macam 80% off dari harga Isetan KLCC.  Cerrutti 1881 setengah harga.  Coach, Esprit, Guess, Timberland.. dan banyak yang worth membeli.. tapi aku tak shopping sangat sebab budget sangat ketat..he..he..he..memberontak jiwa (Zalitun separuh kecewa - not that I don't spend at all arrr) .. Yang pasti banyak beli sneakers utk budak2 kat rumah.  Seriously, if you want to shop for branded goods, its worth to come here.  I supposed December is good month with sales at every nook and corner.  The best thing is almost every MTR station you stop, there is definitely a shopping place at the station's door step..

Move on to the next night, me and few friends sneaking out to see the light/laser show at the Avenue of Stars.  It is located near TST station.  It is free and runs at 8:00 pm everynight.  The show comes from Victoria Harbour and you really can see how dense Hong Kong is from here...

The view of central Hong Kong by night - not so good images shoot on my E72

Me after the light show - cosy view and tonight is coldest - I think it nearly hit 0 degree

At the Avenue of Stars - me and arwah Bruce Lee...

The symphony of lights is just average show - ok la for free show.  But it is awesome just to see Hong Kong at nite at this very location.  It is well justified to be named city of lights.  Beautifully lighted.

On the last day, we decide that we need to sample some halal food in Hong Kong.  Finding real halal food in Hong Kong is pretty difficult.  One indon I met said that even food looks halal, but Hongkee love to use oil with lard.  So if you want 100% halal, just eat at the Mosque.  Thats why I bring my mini rice cooker with rice and Brahims.  But sampling local food I must.  Lucky we have Hajar who have quite a good bearing on where to find good halal food.  The meeting finish half day on Saturday, so we gave a quick run to the first must taste food i.e. Dim Sum at Masjid Ammar, located at Wan Chai, I think this place is under Kowloon district.  I swear that I can never find this place if I were to come here again.  It's not that straight forward and it is not so close to MTR, we literally run to ensure we get to taste it as it closes at 3 p.m.  I should know by now if Hajar says its not that far, you have to multiply that by 3.  Kalau aku yang selalu berjalan ni pun tercungap2 tak tahu la kalau you all yang memang bawak keter sampai pintu ofis nih.. pengsan kot..Finally we arrive at the 5 storey mosque cum islamic center and the restaurant is at level 5.  We finally made it with not that many choices left for us, so we take everything.. I tell you it sooo worth it as it taste sooo good..and the price is sooo reasonable.  Around RM6 per plate/bowl.  Anyway, you should know that Hongkee is not so friendly people.. Muka masam dan agak kurang ajar la bila layan kita nih.. Tapi perut aku dah lapar..so tak kisah sangat la muka masam ke apa ke..

After the food, we continue to walk along Central, where we window shop and walk along street market.  As they say, if you haven't take ferry in Hong Kong, you have not yet in Hong Kong, we take the pride for a ferry ride back to the other side of the Island.  We arrive at areas around TST and as the night set in, we are ready for the next good food in Nathan Road.  Again, Hajar says this restaurant is errr.. very close to the TST MTR station (Hajar's close that is).  Setelah menapak hingga berpeluh badan di malam yang sejuk itu, kami sampai ke tempat yg bernama Ebeneezer's Kebab - serving arab food, sort of a lebanese restaurant, serving liqour as well, the towkey is chinese, with Pinoy's waitresses.  Its full house and I'm surprise that many Hongkee fill up the restaurants because the food is rather hot and spicy..So another 10 mins wait..

Ada tanda Halal, macam copyright dari logo Halal Jakim la pulak... Aku confident la jugak..lagi pun perut lapor..

Ni beriani ayam tanam - its good and its hot and spicy.  The green sauce taste good with balance mixture of coriander, tairu and green chilli.  Simply marvellous - cost around RM25 with tea...not bad at all

After the good meal and some rest to my foot, we headed back to Mong Kok coz me and friends need to do real last minute shopping.  Then we ended back to Tung Chung, and finish all our cash money with a bit of credit card swipe to end the sneak preview of Hong Kong.  Kalau tak sneak preview tak tahu lah berapa banyak aku shopping..

All in all I think Hong Kong is a nice place for family trip.  They have many tourist attraction for family vacation, the public transport is excellent and shopping is sooo goood....  Price of food and lodging is relatively more expensive than KL, but still manageable.

So Hong Kong.. Hold on there..I'll be back...