Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong International (Chek Lap Kok) is a tourist friendly hub for travelers. It is easy to navigate even for someone who does not speak the language, there is no problem finding help should you need some. I think the first thing to do when arriving is to buy an octopus card which is readily available at a kiosk as you enter the arrivals hall in the airport terminal. It will allow you to ride the mtr, the buses, the star ferry and airport express in addition to 711 stores, Watson's and Mannings. It is handy so that you are not always trying to find change and you can reload the card should you have a longer stay.

I personally chose to catch the #A21 bus for my 2005 trip and the #A11 my 2008 trip which both stop right right outside the airport. Just follow the signs in the airport to ground transportation. The signs at the bus stops are easy to read and understand. It was about a 40 minute or so scenic ride into Kowloon and/or Hong Kong Island. I very much enjoyed it and a bit less expensive than the airport express.

There is also a left luggage section which you can use should you want to do something on Lantau Island before leaving for Hong Kong Island or Kowloon. It is very inexpensive and they will keep your luggage safe while you go about your business.

There are also many restaurants and stores there for a quick bite if you are hungry or need to snack on something while on your way to your hotel. Flying back home in the departures terminal there are also many duty free shops where you can pick up some last minute gifts for your friends and family back home. They require your boarding pass in order to buy there.

The restrooms are spacious enough for you and your luggage within the stall and they are also extremely clean and tidy. I was pleasantly surprised. There is also a money exchange desk which I used though realized I could get a little better rate within Kowloon at a small kiosk located within a mini mall or even any of the Cheqepoint kiosks in Kowloon. Or, if you have the time to visit any of the banks you can find the best rates there.

All in all a tourist friendly airport with a knowledgeable and helpful staff. I actually like it much better than San Francisco International. It was much easier to navigate

Transportation

The transportation system in Hong Kong is the most efficient and on time system I've ever seen. The buses, which I frequented this time ran on time, the MTR (mass transit railway) which is much like BART in the bay area has now merged with the KCR and taken over the routes. All of the stops are announced in both English and Cantonese and also displayed prominently with a light showing you exactly where you are. The City Flyer buses are what I use to and from the airport. They are cheaper than the Airport Express car though take about 15 minutes longer. They do however offer the scenic route into Hong Kong. Taxi's are everywhere. There are 18,000 taxi's in Hong Kong and although that may seem alot, given the fact that there are almost 7 million people in Hong Kong plus tourists, the taxi drivers always complain there are just not enough of them to go around. One tip, make sure whenever you take a taxi you have a map on hand. The drivers don't always speak English and it's good to be able to show them where you are going. Also, the flag fall is HK$15.00 = to about US$2.50

Also, this is very important. The first thing you should do after collecting your baggage at the airport upon arrival is buy an Octopus card. This card will let you ride all the major transportation routes on all their buses, mtr's, star ferry, trams and mini buses in addition to the airport express. You buy it for HK$150.00 = to about US$25.00. You can even use it in any of the 711's, Mannings and Watsons stores. It keeps you from looking for change etc... I can't tell you how many times during this trip I saw tourists trying to get on buses without the exact change and ended up arguing with the drivers and holding up the buses and ended up not being able to even board the bus and I just thought to myself how ridiculous when they could have just bought this card. If you need more money on the card, which I did you just go to any 711 store, which are all over and give the clerk the amount you want to add and they do it for you. When you're returning home all you have to do is take your card back for a HK$50.00 refund. It's very simple, easy and saves on headaches when using public transportation while there.

Shopping

Hsu Yu Min

Senior Merchandiser

Hsu Yu is a street artist who makes his living by selling his artwork along the promenade in Tsim Sha Tsui. I was walking along there one afternoon and spotted his table and fell in love with his artwork. He is inspired by what he sees in postcards and paints his pictures with an Asian flair by looking at the postcards. He does some excellent work including black and white paintings. Of course I bought a few pieces and he unfortunately does not have a website but says that he is able to email photos of his work to anyone interested. I've taken a couple of photos of his paintings so you can get an idea of what he does. The first one is of a beach in Lantau called Pui O and the second is a street scene in Central, Hong Kong Island. Photos above this text. My photos of his artwork do not do his work justice. His prices are very affordable. Below is his email address and info.

Hsu Yu Min

Email: hkstudio2000@yahoo.com.hk

Phone: 852-2352-5636

Laurence Lai Gallery

www.laurencelaigallery.com

This photography gallery is located at the star ferry station on Kowloon as you walk up the stairs to take the star ferry towards Central. This is not a bargain store. They sell photographic images of Hong Kong from past to present in black and white and color, matted and mounted. Although not a bargain store the prices are competitive. His photography is stunning and has a wide variety of work available.

Customer Hotline: 852-2191-2097

Address: Shop KP-41, Star Ferry Station, Tsim Sha Tsui,

Kowloon, HK. (To Central Upper Level

Direction)

Temple Street Night Market

Temple Street night market located in Yau Ma Tei on Temple Street near Jordan is just a stones throw away and within walking distance of Tsim Sha Tsui. It opens around 4:00 pm and is an area of brightly colored stalls selling men's clothes, electronic gadgets, clothing, artwork & more. There are also street performances such as opera singers and many food stalls. The prices are very inexpensive and it is expected that you bargain with the merchandisers. The protocol is to offer half of what they are asking. If they say no, you walk away. If they want to sell the item they will come back with a counter offer. The prices however are so low that personally I don't even bargain. It's quite an experience to buy there so definitely have a look while you are in Kowloon.

Elegant Tang Dynasty

This little shop formerly known as the Ribbon Emporium is now located on Nathan & Haiphon Road in Kowloon. Nathan Road known as the Golden Mile of Asia. This shop is a retail outlet selling at below wholesale prices and specializing in souvenir type merchandise. Keychains, chopsticks and placemats, purses, lipstick holders, compacts, watches, and much more. They sell many items in bulk which is great if you're picking up souvenirs for many people. It is a small shop but large in merchandise. I like this store for it's souvenirs and prices. There are by the way many shops such as this in Hong Kong and a welcoming site for tourists purchasing gifts to bring back home.

Phone: 852-2377-4341 & 852-2367-6231

Address: Shop A, G/f., Po Fung Building, 33 A Haiphon Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Stanley Market - Hong Kong

http://www.hk-stanley-market.com/

Stanley market located on Hong Kong Island is a cornucopia of bargain shopping. Hundreds of street stalls huddled together in this quaint little shopping area town amidst restaurants, pubs, temples and the bay it is a destination for tourists looking for bargains. And, that's exactly what you will find here. Example: I found a cotton burgundy shirt/jacket for HK$10.00 which basically translates to about $US$1.50. Yes you read that right $1.50 and that's not unusual. There are souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, artwork and more that I can't even list all at incredible low prices. These stalls sell at below wholesale as do many retail stores within Hong Kong. If you want to do shopping, this is THE place to go. Of course there are your regular high end shopping malls such as Harbour City in Kowloon though you will pay what you'd pay at home at these malls.

The Aberdeen Jewelry Factory, Ltd.

We stopped off at this jewelry factory while on our Hong Kong Island tour in 2005. You are guided through the entrance which displays an ornate Asian shrine then upstairs to the factory where you can view first hand artists crafting jewelry. Then you are guided into a room filled with jewelry of every type and style of stone imagineable. Prices ranged from about $29.99 US dollars on up. Everything was displayed delicately and the salespeople surprisingly enough were not pushy or intrusive which was welcomed. All of the jewelry was very tempting to me and I had to restrain myself from buying everything I saw so I ended up with a Chinese zodiac necklace for both me and Sony. I got a great price and what I really liked about this place was the fact that you're getting the real deal here and your purchase is guaranteed and authenticated. Whereas some of these shops on Nathan Road and elsewhere you really don't know for sure what you are buying unless of course you are an expert. Another great thing about this shop is if you want to visit there on your own, they will send a car for you and pick you up directly at your hotel. We did not spend alot of time here because we were on a tour which for me was probably a good thing or I would have gone broke. If you love jewelry then this is the place to visit.

Aberdeen Jewelry Factory Ltd.

33 Yip Kan Street

Kingley Industrial Building

Block 2, Flat G, 1st Floor

Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong

Phone: (852)2555-9488 Fax: (852)2873-1357

Email: ajfsales@ajf.com.hk

Website: http://www.ajf.com.hk/ (website is under construction)

Hong Kong Restaurant Reviews

Fat Angelo's

I LOVED Fat Angelo's and ate here almost every night. It's located in the Soho area of central on Elgin street where you can either dine outside or inside. You walk in and Sinatra's performing on the tube and turn towards the bar where you see autographed pictures of Tony Bennett and Old Blue Eyes. The music is jazz and blues and is a constant while you are dining. The food is down home Italian with huge portions. I have to emphasize HUGE. I knew this in advance and ordered from the mini portion menu which is still huge. The dinner roll they brought me was as large as a softball. Dinner consists of salad, entree, drink and coffee. The food is very good comfort food and is cooked to perfection. I tried the lasagne, the linguine pesto, the steak, different salads etc... Very friendly waitstaff, good prices and all around fun and satsfying experience. I wish they were here in the states.

The Flying Pan

My friend Tammy owns this place so I had to check it out. It's also in the Soho area of Central near Lan Kwai Fong. They specialize in Breakfast and cater to the late night party goers in Lan Kwai Fong. It is a small, cozy and charming little spot. They have an extensive western breakfast menu but I love waffles so of course I had to have the Belgians. Good, tasty and filling with hearty portions. I'd also love it if this place were in the states. Tammy, open one up here in North Beach.

The American Club - Legends Bar

My friend is a member of the American Club and took me here for drinks. It is located in the Stock Exchange building right behind the tallest IFC building on Hong Kong Island. She told me the view was like being on top of the world. Well she was right. The view from that venue was absolutely breathtaking. You could see the Kowloon and HK Island waterfront as well as much of Kowloon very clearly. We also went to a bar, don't remember the name, in the same building which gives you a better view as the IFC tower was to the right of us. It was spectacular to see. Thanks Becky.

Uncle Russ Coffee

Okay this is not a restaurant but rather a small kiosk type counter located on the star ferry pier in Tsim Sha Tsui. They have coffee, muffins, pound cakes, sodas, sandwiches and small salads and snacks. I love it here because not only were the mother/daughter team from Thailand who worked there so sweet and friendly, but the food was great and I usually for lunch would grab a salad here, they even had Greek salad - yummy and a soda then head over to the promenade and have my lunch. Sometimes I'd grab a coffe or latte for the Symphony of Lights show here as well. Great little spot for a quick bite.

Pacific Cafe

This is a chain much like Starbucks though the coffee is much better. There are many located on Hong Kong though I would always go to the one by the New World Center in Kowloon along the promenade. They have free internet there if you buy something so I'd usually grab a blueberry muffin and a latte. I liked the location of this particular one and it was usually very quiet and peaceful.

Grissini restaurant is located within the Grand Hyatt on Hong Kong Island. We went there during my trip in 2005 to splurge and celebrate. It was well worth it believe me. The food was delicious and served with an artistic flare. I had the raviolis and my friend had the black mushroom risotto. We began the dinner with a salad and breadsticks. The breadsticks are freshly baked and just melt in your mouth. We topped off the dinner with chocolate pudding served to perfection.

The service was excellent. Attentive waitstaff who were there when you needed them but were not overly attentive as some are.

The ambience' very quiet and romantic if you want to share dinner with that special someone. The furnishings were bathed in sleek black and the walls a rich brown wood with parquet floors and floor to ceiling windows which gave the room a modern yet warm and comfy tone.

We were there while the Symphony of Lights was taking place over the harbour so our view was of the Kowloon side and the roofs of the lighted/towering Hong Kong Island skyscrapers right outside our window. It was a spectacular sight to see from that venue.

It is expensive. The bill totaled about $150.00 for the two of us which included three glasses of wine an Evian water and the standard 10% service charge. Note that in Hong Kong it is standard for restaurants and nightclubs to automatically add a 10% service charge. As a result it is not necessary to tip though it is appreciated.

Grissini's was well worth the money though if you want great food, nice ambience' and a spectacular light show.

Tip: You have to make reservations so when you do make sure you are there for the 8:00 p.m. light show and try to get a window table.

Prices: US$41 and up
Phone: (852) 2588-1234 ext.(7313)
Address: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
Directions: Wanchai
Website:http://www.hongkong.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment/restaurants/index.jsp

Flamingo Lounge

The flamingo lounge is located on the second floor of the BP International House Hotel. It serves a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. I had my breakfast there during my 2005 trip every morning. Omelets are prepared right there with your choice of the usual suspects, cheese, mushrooms etc... Croissants, fruit, salads and more accompany your meal with choice of coffee, teas and fruit juices. Great breakfasts at great prices.

Favorite Dish: Mushroom and cheese omelet

Phone: (852) 2376-1111
Address: 8 Austin Road, Tsimshatsui - Within the BP International House Hotel.

BP International House Hotel - Review

B.P. International House Hotel ~ Kowloon

A Three Star Hotel With Five Star Amenities

I booked the B.P. International hotel online at http://www.asiarooms.com  so I was able to get a very good rate.  Asiarooms is one of if not the best online hotel booking business.  They have comprehensive detailed information of all the hotels along with user reviews. Once I was there I decided to extend my stay by one night and therefore had to pay the going rate which was double the interent rate however it was well worth the money.

The hotel staff is very friendly, accomodating and helpful.  They will walk you to your tour bus and also walk you to the airport shuttle.  They provide currency exchange and also will take care of your postcard mailings and all of your tour details.

The rooms are small though very clean and include a mini bar, fridge, tv, hairdryer, coffee maker, slippers and wake up call should you need to awake early in the morning.  The hotel maids were efficient in cleaning the room everyday and stocking the mini fridge.  I had a standard room so my view was of Kowloon and not the harbour though still a great view of Temple Street and the Jordan area of Kowloon.  I would suggest if it's your first time there, spend a little more and get the harbour view. Though at the time in 2005 there was not yet a no smoking policy in Hong Kong I was never bothered by cigarette smoke.

The location of this hotel is fantastic.  It is close to the airport shuttle and the mtr stations both in Tsim Sha Tsui and Jordan are only a few minutes away within walking distance.  The front of the hotel is on Austin road.  If you turn right on Austin and walk about a block you are on Nathan road which is known as the Golden Mile of Hong Kong with it's eclectic eateries and shopping boutiques.  If you turn left when exiting the hotel you can walk about a block and arrive on Canton Road which I did every morning and only about a 10 minute walk to the Star Ferry and the Avenue of the Stars promenade.

The hotel is situated almost right within Kowloon Park.  You are near the Temple Street night market, the jade market, the Harbour City shopping center on Canton Road and all the exciting attractions are within your reach.

There is also a great little cafe called the Flamingo within the hotel which serves a buffet style western breakfast with your choice of omelets, scrambled eggs, croissant, fruit, coffee and teas.  As you walk into the lobby area you will see a stairway to the right headed upstairs where the Flamingo is located.  I had breakfast there many a day.  There is also room service provided should you want to eat in your room.  I had a very pleasant stay at BP International and would definitely stay there again if I were to stay in Kowloon.

Just a tip:  If you do decide to stay there booking through http://www.asiarooms.com is the way to go.  You'll save alot of money.

Phone: (852)2376-1111
Address: 8 Austin Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon Hong Kong
Directions: City Center
Website: http://www.bpih.com.hk

The Garden View International House Hotel - Review

The Garden View International House Hotel - Hong Kong Island

I booked this hotel through www.agoda.com as the BP International hotel was booked through March by Asia Rooms etc... I chose the Garden View because of it's location being near the Botanical Gardens and Hong Kong Park within the residential area of Hong Kong Island. However I didn't realize how far away it was from Central and the Star Ferry pier and because of that I spent each evening having to take taxis in order to get back to the hotel as there was no other means of getting there. Other than the location, the hotel does have it's good points.

The staff is very friendly and helpful, the rooms were kept clean and the shower massager was wonderful especially after a 14 hour flight and days of walking and sightseeing. There is also a mini bar which in comparison to the prices I've seen at other hotels, is very inexpensive. The room was small though fine for one person. I booked a standard room but was upgraded when I arrived to a superior room which basically just means you get a king instead of a queen size bed.

I did not have a view of the gardens but rather a view of the 12 apartment buildings surrounding the hotel right outside my window. I wasn't happy about it because I like having light from the windows in my room at night however due to the proximity of the buildings, (you could literally see tv within the windows of the apts.they were so close) I had to keep the curtains closed while sleeping. Despite their literature stating they provide airport shuttle service, they do not. They also do not provide mailing services for your postcards. These are minor details however most hotels do provide these services.

This hotel is good for backpackers, people who like the quiet or anyone who doesn't mind walking through to central. For myself, I would have rather been on the Kowloon side which I will do in the future. I will say though that no matter what hotel you book, for a great price use either www.asiarooms.com or www.agoda.com they are both easy and efficient.

Address: 1 Macdonnell Road Central Hong Kong

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

InterContinental Hotel - Lobby Lounge

The Lobby Lounge @ The InterContinental Hotel

Well I spent every evening in the Lobby lounge at the InterContinental Hotel on Salisbury Road during my 2005 visit as my friend vocalist Sony Holland was performing there, photos above. I spent a couple of nights here this visit having drinks. I had dinner and drinks there each evening in 2005 and the food was delicious. You can order everything from barbecue wings, to a tortilla wrap with chicken and a vegetarian spring roll dish. It is all excellent and even though it is served in the bar lounge, these are not appetizers. There is enough for a full fledged dinner. They have a great wine list as well. I loved their mixed drinks as you can find mai tais, chi chis and their signature dragon drinks among an extensive array of exotic spirits. This visit I had the tangerine mojitos which were to die for. During my 2005 visit, was the first time I had a chi chi since I had been in Hawaii many, many moons ago.

The service is the "best" I've had in Hong Kong. They are efficient, helpful, courteous and very friendly. They treat you well and are happy doing so.

Also, you have an awesome view of Hong Kong Island and the harbour - best venue in Hong Kong other than the promenade for viewing the Symphony of Lights. You are located right on the waterfront with floor to ceiling windows. It's gorgeous. We saw the fireworks there on Chinese New Year 2005.

The room is very spacious yet very cozy and good lighting with great acoustics. This visit there was a quartet, keyboards, drums, sax and guitar playing a little jazz and some pop.

Favorite Dish: The vegetarian spring roll.

Phone: (852)2721-1211
Address: The InterContinental Hotel 18 Salisbury Road.
Directions: Tsimshatsui

Website: http://hongkong-ic.dining.intercontinental.com/honic/di05.html

Museums

There are several different museums in Hong Kong and I decided to check out the art museum and history museum this visit. The art museum has an extensive calligraphy exhibit which I love. However, they did not allow photos.

The highlight of the history museum is the Hong Kong story permanent exhibition which depicts the natural environment, folk culture and historical development of Hong Kong from 400 million years ago to the return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. The culural traditions and history are fascinating to see.

Stanley

Stanley is located on the outer boundaries of Hong Kong Island and is the mecca of bargain shopping. There are street stalls which is much like an outdoor flea market type setting within the confines of this quaint town. There are also some restaurants, pubs, a Tin Hau Temple, (Tin Hau - God of the sea) and the maritime museum. The shops located within Stanley Market have everything from souvenirs, to jewelry, to clothing, artwork and anything else you can think of. More about the shopping in my shopping link. Below are pics of Stanley Bay and the Tin Hau Temple.

Lantau Island

Lantau island is home to Hong Kong International airport and the Tian Tan Buddha. It is twice the size of Hong Kong with only a few people calling it home. It is the greenest most beautiful island filled with majestic mountains, trees, hiking trails and beaches. It is virtually unspoiled land. I took a bus through Lantau in order to get to the "Big Buddha" and view the scenery. It is truly gorgeous. There is also what is called Wisdom Path which is right near Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery which you can view photos under the Wisdom Path link on this site. Right across from the path you can see and almost touch Lantau Peak which is the second largest peak in Hong Kong. Being there was truly exhilarating and inspiring.

Hong Kong Arts Center

This was an unexpected treat. While walking through Hong Kong Park I came across the arts center. I didn't know beforehand that it was even there. I walked up to the door and saw a guard there with no one else around so I thought it was closed. He then opened the door and motioned for me to go inside which I did. I'm so glad I went inside. There was a poet/artist, K.C. Chow who was exhibiting his artwork in the gallery. We were the only two there and though I speak only a couple of words in Chinese and he a little more in English we were able to carry on a conversation. His art pieces were so creative and he welcomed my taking photos of some of the pieces. He was such a kind and gentle soul and I so enjoyed meeting him. He gave me his book of essays which I didn't realize until I left was completely in Chinese. The only thing I could read was the ISBN number. I'll have to have it translated.

K. C. and the Arts Center

We greet

with a reverent bow

and warm handshake.

Reverent – irreverent

artifacts decorate

desolate walls.

Haunting, amusing

eccentric mediums,

creative illusions

brought to life

upon canvas and paper.

Panoramic calligraphy

vertical poetry

spotlights stories

of rivers and ponds

as K.C. explains

in broken English,

my reply

a reverent bow

and broken Cantonese.

We relate, communicate

in poetic harmony

both poets and artists

from different lands

together as fate

would dictate

the creative connection.

Hong Kong Park

Hong Kong Park was also not very far from my hotel. It was absolutely gorgeous there. Lush green foliage, plants and ponds and the largest aviary I've ever seen. There is a wooden footbridge of which is located above the aviary and allows you to see all the bird species below. I love it here. I sort of went crazy with all of the photos but I just couldn't stop - it was too beautiful.

The Aviary

Hong Kong Park

Birds harmonize

Cantonese tales

weaving heirlooms

among lotus flowers.

Nicobar pigeon

rests upon bamboo planks

while orange leafbird

poses for photos.

White crested hornbill

the virtuoso of dance

pirouettes across

rippling ponds.

And the chorus

through pond spice

and tree cotton

echo against bamboo clumps.

Tai chi garden

sits calm, serene

against a backdrop

of kapok and candlenut trees.

The air warm, humid

the sky grey, misty

as I revel within nature

amongst a bustling metropolis

of tree fern and

the feathered chorus line.

Hong Kong Botanical Gardens

The botanical gardens is the reason I chose the hotel I stayed in during this visit. The gardens were down a half a block and over a foot bridge to the entrance from the hotel. I loved getting up early and walking thru the gardens into central. The zoo also resides in the gardens and is home to many bird species, monkeys, tigers and a very scary burmese python. So scary in fact I couldn't even get a photo - he just gave me the creeps. The gardens are beautiful, very quiet and filled with locals early in the morning doing tai chi and exercising.

Burmese Python

A camouflage predator

he melds into branches

sleek as an eel

cunning as a fox.

Fire hose thick

an ominous hug

around gnarled branches

the death grip.

Still as a moment

housed and caged

by a wooden pagoda

alone and feared.

I attempt a picture

interrupted silence

with a sharp turn

he glares at me.

My fear mirrored

in dark, black eyes

and I retreat

never to return.

Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong Island holds some of the most beautiful sightseeing destinations in the world. Victoria Peak, Repulse Bay and Aberdeen, just to name a few. The island has many districts and central is the one in which I stayed during this trip. Central is full of narrow, steep streets and alleyways which can seem like a maze when you're trying to find something. Many a time I was lost in this maze. It is brimming with street stalls and a flea market atmosphere in many areas with a 24/7 nightclub area called Lan Kwai Fong which is much like North Beach here in SF only a smaller scale. It is literally a street party in this area at night. There is also the Soho district which boasts some great restaurants and haunts. The interesting thing is that you can be walking along a street and all of a sudden come upon a temple right along an alleyway. As you venture further down central you find yourself in the midst of skyscrapers and hoards of people. There are the mid-level escalators which is known to be the longest escalator in the world and can take you from the waterfront area of Hong Kong Island to the Northern most tip of central within a few minutes. It was a great idea since the hills are so steep on the island, you need the escalator. Hong Kong Island I found to be an interesting mix of old and new. Unlike Kowloon it is much more quiet on the island yet has it's moments. The photos below depict some street scenes and an outdoor temple amidst the street stalls.

Jubilee Street

Smoky incense

orange, mango and pear

offered to buddha

in a wooden alcove.

The street lined

as a red carpet event

with paper lanterns

green, pink, red, gold.

Hand woven baskets

home to fruits, flowers

bok choy and cabbage

strewn among street stalls.

Neighbors along the street,

raw silk, pots and pans,

souvenirs and toys

compete for attention

and the Hong Kong dollar.

Wisdom Path

Wisdom Path or the heart sutra is a 260 word prayer which is displayed on thirty eight 10 foot tall wooden beams or obelisks written in Chinese calligraphy and form the number 8 which means infinity. It is really a spiritual and serene sight to behold. Getting here is about a 20 minute walk from the big Buddha through a forest like setting.

Po Lin Monastery

Po Lin Monastery with it's temples and gardens is also a must see. Po Lin, Tian Tan Buddha and the Wisdom Path are all in the same area and can be seen in a half day. The monastery is also a calm and serene sight with it's large incense burner outside the temple where worshippers burn incense and offer prayer to the Buddha. Inside the temple monastery is a sight to behold. I have pictures below so they speak for themselves. I always feel bad about taking pictures at temples and sights such as these because of the worshippers who are praying there but it is allowed and everyone does it so I could not pass up an opportunity of catching these gorgeous scenes. In this area of the monastery there is heavy incense burning so if you are allergic to scents of any kind, this may not be the sight for you. There are also many street vendors around the buddha and monastery selling their wares as well. If you want more information as to transportation here or anywhere mentioned on this site, contact me.

Tian Tan Buddha

Tian Tan was the highlight of my trip. He is the world largest seated Buddha weighing in at 250 tons at 80 feet tall and carved in bronze. He sits on a lotus throne and is surrounded by his statue court giving offerings of lotus, incense and fruit. He is modeled after the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Tian Tan is massive and magnificent to see. There are 282 steps to climb in order to reach the viewing platform and once there you are, or at least I was overwhelmed with a sense of peace and serenity. Locals visit and get down on there knees and pray when reaching the top of the stairs. From that platform you also get a beautiful view of Lantau Island. There is also a memorial hall within the Buddha grounds which houses pictures and names of the deceased. There is Buddhist chanting music within the confines of the hall which makes for a very solemn setting. The Buddha a DEFINITE must see if you are ever in Hong Kong.

Tian Tan Buddha

Serene majesty rests atop

lotus flower throne.

His bronze elegance

adorns the Lantau sky.

Facing North

a mountain peak

on earthly ground

the temple of heaven.

Right hand raised

affliction begone!

Left hand rest

a gesture of giving.

Serene in stature

overseer of peace

worshipped by mortals

and immortals bearing fruit.

A massive stone symbol

human of spirit

energy of life

they offer praise.

Climbing step after step

warmed by his smile

captivated by his eyes

humbled by his presence.

A hypnotic fog

emanates around him

as visitors encircle

and offer prayers.

Hours entranced

in a spiritual kinship

with him, tranquility

occupies my spirit.

Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak

Our HK Island tour took us to the top of the peak where we really lucked out because it just happened to be a warm and sunny day. The view from the top of the peak is breathtaking. You can see across to Kowloon and view much of the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island. It must be incredible at night which I plan to check out next visit.

There are several cafes, restaurants, shops etc...There are also street vendors who sell their artwork there which I very much enjoyed. It's definitely a spot to visit for photo taking.

Victoria Harbor

With it's gorgeous panoramic views Victoria Harbor which sits between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon is not only one of the top tourist attractions in the world, it is also one of the busiest ports in the world. Just watching cruise ships along with speed boats, sampans, yachts and the star ferry navigate their way through this harbor is an amazing sight to see. The nightly "Symphony of Lights" show has become an event for tourists and locals alike. The skyscrapers along Hong Kong Island along with the waterfront hotels of Kowloon light up the night skies with a spectacular light and sound show that is a must see for anyone traveling to Hong Kong. I have a video on this page which believe me does not do the show justice. I was lucky enough to see first hand the light show along with a fireworks show during the Lunar New Year celebration in 2005 and it was absolutely fantastic to say the least. This trip I made sure to attend the show each evening.

Aberdeen Fishing Village

Aberdeen Fishing Village is the epitome of old vs. new.

The high rises blanket and surround the old style traditions of this bustling fishing village.  On our Hong Kong Island tour we had a stop at Aberdeen fishing village and took a ride on a sampan. The sampan was decorated with red lanterns for Chinese New Year and the woman navigating through those busy waterways told us that she had actually made the boat herself.  She lives in the village on a small junk boat and makes her living by offering sampan rides around her neighborhood village and over to the Jumbo Floating Restaurant which is lavishly yet ornately adorned with red and gold artwork and tradtional dragon sculptures.

We stopped a bit to photograph the Jumbo Floating Restaurant and just cruised along taking in the sights of the local people on their junk boats and watching them decorate for the Lunar New Year. It was so much fun just seeing how these people live.  Families of four and five living on small junks with basically the bare necessities yet they wouldn't have it any other way.  There was one boat in particular which had a small black and white tv perched on a wooden table on the deck of the junk and because of this the family was considered to be "well off" because no one else even had a television.  Yet, this simple village is surrounded on land by luxury skyscrapers and on the water by luxury yachts.

The families in this village make their living by fishing and selling their catch to the nearby restaurants.  They work sometimes 16 hour days and 7 days a week. This is a family tradition held down from generation to generation and is considered a gift.   As a result they would never leave their surroundings.

Learning about these people, their lives and being able to visit their homes by way of the sampan navigating its way through the maze of junk boats was indeed an inspiring and wonderful experience.  To learn more about the Aberdeen Fishing Village visit http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/hongkong/island/aberdeen.htm

Below is a poem I wrote after I returned from my triip. This poem won best travel poem of the year for a local magazine called Muses Review.

Aberdeen Fishing Village

Home to fishery locals
amidst a sheltered harbor
of luxury skyscrapers,
junks, sampans and trawlers
lavishly designed
with red, gold and pink
papier mache' lanterns,
navigate the maze of currents
surrounding this simple habitat.

Locals make their homes
within this ancient port
playing mahjong - practicing Tai Chi.
The catch of the day
salted fish hung to dry
serve as feast for their families
and money in their pockets.
For unfruitful the fate
should they venture ashore
as tradition dictates.

There it stands
a gilded oasis
Jumbo Floating Restaurant
enticing starved tourists
hungry for Asian flair.
We digest the experience
aboard a wooden sampan
where our sea legs
savor the journey.

Repulse Bay

Repulse Bay

We had a stop here during our Hong Kong Island tour. What a gorgeous spot. The South China Sea as the backdrop to this beautiful beach outlined on a rolling green hillsided coastline with magnificent luxury homes and apartments was just a sight to behold. The sea was so still and relaxing with sunlight cascading upon the waves in perfect symmetry. I wish we had more time there. It is a quaint little seaside community with the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. Some small boutiques and cozy pubs hug the coastside making this spot a paradise for tourists and I'm sure locals alike. If it's your first time there make sure you visit Repulse Bay.

A poem I wrote about Repulse Bay upon my return home.

Repulse Bay

In motion

yet still

dawns an infinite canvas

of Western colonized

Chinese archetypes

where lavish mountain hideaways

rich in ginseng, bamboo

and crescent moon white sands

sing acappella

amidst a rapturous seascape

playing chopsticks

at high tide

while the South China Sea

sleeps.

Kowloon

The name Kowloon is derived from the "Nine Dragons" which represent the nine peaks in Kowloon. This densely populated territory hosts several different areas to include Tsim Sha Tsui which is the touristy area in and around the waterfront, Jordan, Yau ma tei, Mongkok, Kowloon City, The New Territories and I'm sure many more I'm not even aware of. What I enjoy most about Kowloon is the hustle and bustle. There is always something happening on the promenade. On Sundays, there are festivals, musical performances, street vendors selling their artwork and jewelry and so much more. There is always something to see. I decided to take the free tai chi class which is taught by tai chi masters each morning at 8:00 am along the promenade. I should say "attempted" the tai chi class. You have to have a good sense of balance, which I do not but then again it was fun just trying. There was a festival going on the Sunday I arrived and I have some pics and video below of a lion dancer and some adorable school children entertaining the crowds. Kowloon is also a great spot for shopping which I'll have more information under the shopping link on this site. The clocktower was once the hub for the Canton railway station and is now a landmark along the waterfront. The pictures below are of a fitness float which is prominently displayed in front of the clocktower and was used during their Lunar New Year celebration. Since the first time I stepped foot onto that promenade in 2005 I have always felt as if it were my home and I still do.

nameless faces

Walking foreign steps

to the rhythm of taiko

the pulse of erhu

dancing buddhas.

Cantonese croonings

lotus flower soft

silk smooth

operatic chants.

Lanterns parade

a welcome smile

nameless faces

yet known.

Humid mist

Eastern breeze

incense fog

scents of life.

and the journey begins

Morning tai chi

Eastern sun

slowly rises

warming

Victoria Harbour

erhu strings

windswept

saturate

dawn rituals

and we move

slowly

in unison

as one

unspoken vibrations

musical meditations

enlightened affirmations!

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Tribute To A Taoist God

Wong Tai Sin was a Taoist God who is widely respected and revered in Hong Kong for his healing powers.

This was an incredible experience. I spent an entire day here in February of 2005 which just happened to be during the Lunar New Year. I went the day before Chinese New Year which just happened to be my brithday. I planned it that way. And, what a fantastic day it turned out to be. Although very busy with worshippers and tourists it was a very serene and peaceful setting.

The temple itself is absolutely gorgeous with it's ornately designed and colorful structure. There were many people there worshipping at that time. They would burn incense at the main altar and then congregate in front of the temple where they would place newspaper on the ground with their offerings of food, usually fruit to Wong Tai Sin. It was fascinating to see and I have to say that because this was a place of worship I felt somewhat uncomfortable taking photos of the altar and the people though they do not mind.

I did also explore the grounds around the temple which were so beautifully sculpted that I just could not leave.  I had to explore over and over again. There was a waterfall, bamboo trees, archways, rock alcove formations and bridges.

It is free to enter the grounds though donations are welcomed.

There are also many fortune teller stalls within the grounds should you want your fortune told.

To get there take the MTR to Wong Tai Sin station and it's about a 5 minute walk to the temple.  For more information visit http://www.wongtaisin.com.cn/

Below is a poem I wrote about Wong Tai Sin Temple which is written in a haiku series.

Wong Tai Sin Temple

odorous incense

imbues the stone oasis

with fruitful worship

the faithful gather

sacrificial offerings

praising Wong Tai Sin

ancient waterfall

ornamental pagodas

an archaic bridge

man made testaments

to the shepherd diety

in honor they bow.

Avenue of the Stars

Avenue of the Stars is located along the waterfront promenade of Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. It is the Asian version of the Hollywood walk of fame and boasts stars like Bruce Lee, who has his own statue along the promenade, Jackie Chan and Jet Li among others. This is my favorite spot in Tsim Sha Tsui. I would walk along the promenade every morning and evening taking in the sights of the harbor and enjoying the festive atmosphere. This is "the" place for shutterbugs and people watching.

Avenue of the Stars

Hong Kong

By night

by day,

a glittering galaxy

of stars

align the promenade

in Hollywood fashion

Asian style.

A tribute,

standing proud

stone carved

is the Hong Kong film award.

A curvaceous monument,

she gallanty welcomes

tourists to the waterfront.

Her native son

posed

in martial arts form,

Bruce Lee

the star of the show.

Handprints outlined

in etched stars.

Colorful kiosks

hawking memorable

tidbits of cinematic

glory.

Statuette film directors

provide backdrops

for curious shutterbugs,

as visitors stroll

dazzled and beguiled.

Avenue of the Stars -

an iconic symbol

of celebrity,

a testament

to Eastern pride.

The Star Ferry

The first news report of the star ferry seafaring vessel was reported in 1888. Since that time the ferry has endured many a hardship with typhoons and wars. Today it is the main mode of transportation between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Each vessel can carry up to 200 passengers and runs every few minutes. The star ferry has a charm about it and is loved not only by the locals but by tourists alike. I would ride the ferry at least twice a day if not more - just for the sake of taking that ride.

A Symphony of Lights

Symphony of Lights

The stage is set.

The performance about to begin.

An air of excitement hushes the crowd.

Shutterbugs line the promenade.

The towering facades

of Hong Kong island

come alive;

a cabaret of lights

about to strut their stuff.

The harbour illuminates

a rainbow ebb tide.

Skies explode

a disco ball - Asian style.

Beams of light

reflect upon

Victoria Harbour,

the water dance in full swing.

15 minutes of fame

and I suddenly remember,

I left my camera back at the hotel!

The poem which won the Cathay Pacific Airways contest.

My Hong Kong Adventure - myhongkongadventure

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