So I returned this afternoon from four magical days in Hong Kong! After a whirlwind of sightseeing, shopping, seeing friends, and eating a ton, I think it makes the most sense to start with a post about the first day. Although we landed the night before, we went straight to the hotel and saw very little of Kowloon apart from a quick view of the Hong Kong skyline (just as breathtaking as ever).
Bright and early the next morning, we found a dim sum restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui. After breakfast, I suggested we walk up Nathan Road to a few specialty markets. I didn’t realize it would heat up so quickly. We turned onto Waterloo Road, which used to be one of my favorites in Kowloon. Now it’s a glorified highway, with ramps to bypass the traffic lights below. But we did find some peaceful spots in Kowloon City.
We came to the flower market first, then the new bird market.
Some birds were sold alone in a portable cage.
Others were stacked like chickens, one on top of the other.
Here’s a toucan inside one of the stalls, away from the noise of the street.
We asked a vendor at the flower market (which sold more potted plants than fresh flowers) if he could point us toward the fish street. Instead, we turned over too soon and found we’d arrived at Ladies’ Street. So Tom and I strolled around this market.
This woman was selling sugar cane drinks.
And here’s smelly durian, which people liken to stinky cheese. I’ve never enjoyed the durian, although I’ve only tried it once, when my mom and traveled to Kuala Lumpur.
And then there are mangosteens, which I do like.
This is why it’s called Ladies’ Street.
Tom pointed out other things he noticed at the market. For instance, bamboo scaffolding, which seems to be everywhere.
Dodgy hotels.
And stuffed animals perched atop this lorry.
After lunch back in Tsim Sha Tsui, near the harbor, we crossed a little ways underground to see the famous skyline. And as luck would have it, an old junk was sailing nearby for a photo shoot with a model.
That’s worth the trip to Hong Kong!
Here I’m trying to keep the hair out of my face while the model next door does’t seem to be affected in the slightest by the heat and humidity!
After it turned dark, we met a friend across the harbor at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and dined on a gorgeous buffet of curry! Leaving the yacht club in a lightning storm was another matter. Not a single taxi would agree to drive us across the harbor, so we shared one with my generous friend, who dropped us at the nearest MTR (subway) station.
It was a lovely first day (back) in Hong Kong!
Susan, just getting to read your blog and I must say, the next best thing to returning to Hong Kong is to read and see it through the eyes of someone else who loves it!
You know what is so weird? I have no memory of seeing/smelling/eating durian! I’m sure I never ate it, but the rest of my family states I definitely saw it and smelled it. Maybe it was such a presence that I just thought it was normal??? No idea!
Thank you so much for your comment! That’s interesting about your memories (or lack of) of durian. I remember smelling it in markets, but not as a general smell out and about. One thing I didn’t smell anymore was cigarette smoke? Maybe durian from the markets permeated its way through more of the air now that smoking is banned in many places? Hong Kong still had its smells, but not as strong as from what I remembered.
How do you know they’re dodgy hotels?
It all looks great – glad you had a great time.
Happy to have you back to share all these fun stories, too!
By the hour kind of gave it away! Thanks for the kind words!
Great pictures and what a fabulous first day! I’m so homesick right now!! <3
Thank you so much! I wanted to make sure we saw Kowloon the first day so we wouldn’t miss out on anything there. I wish we’d had time to return to the fish market, though. I’ve already compiled a list for things to see next time!
Awww I just got back from HK too, I miss it sooo much!
Very cool! It seems like there is never enough time in Hong Kong. I miss it, too!
wow, great pics, and great trip! welcome back
Thank you!! We bought Tamiris some little gifts, so I’ll mail them to her soon.
Wonderful, Susan! I love all the wild fruit they have across Asia – even durian! 😀 I can almost smell HK from here…..
Funny you mentioned smelling Hong Kong from here, because I never realized that much of the urban outdoor area does smell like durian when it’s in season. I thought it was more exhaust fumes, cooking oil, cigarette smoke, and sewage. But this time I saw very few smokers and smelled durian everywhere!
Great post, Susan. Thanks!
Thanks so much for your comment!
Susan, I loved browsing your photos, reminded me of when I visited HK almost 10 years before. In fact, I stayed in a neighborhood filled with dodgy hotels (thankfully, mine wasn’t!). By the way, you look just beautiful and glowing in that last photo, I can tell how much you loved being in HK again.
Thank you so much, Mei! I’m glad you could see in these photos parts of Hong Kong you remembered from back then. I once stayed near dodgy hotels, too, in Hong Kong. Lots of times in China! I really did love being back in Hong Kong!