First stop on the Asian adventure is Hong Kong. I arrived late Saturday and had the weekend to get adjusted and also see the city. After a lengthy flight that began in Chicago Friday morning, I was looking at Hong Kong as my jumping off point, my adjustment zone into 30 days abroad. Here is what I found out with less than 48 hours in Hong Kong.
View from Victoria Peak.
Sunday I took a half day tour of Hong Kong island. Started by taking the tram to Victoria Peak. The tram runs at a steep 45 degree angle, but only 8 minute trip to the summit which is 550 meters above sea level. Great views and got a chance to snap some photos and walk around the peak. Great views of Hong Kong and Kowloon penisula and the Victoria Harbor.
Temples, statues and a view of Repulse Bay.
From there we took a drive down the backside of the hill to Repulse Bay. Cool little beach, spend time looking at temple statues and walking on the beach. Drove by the beach at Deep Water Bay as well which seems to be a great beach site as well despite the shark netting.
The fishing vessels of Aberdeen.
Headed finally to Aberdeen and hopped on a Sampan for a 20-30 minute cruise around the inner harbor. Pretty interesting contrast between the million dollar vessels at the Hong Kong Yact Club and the floating fishing community.
The 73rd Floor Pool at the W Hong Kong.
After the tour, spent some time back at the hotel trying to beat the heat at the hotel pool. With the highest pool in Hong Kong, the views were on point, as were the Coronas. Relaxing, swimming and reading - it was a solid wind down afternoon.
Pork Dumplings with Noodles in Soup at Mak's Honk Kong.
After a relaxing afternoon I was up for exploring the subway, so headed on a short train back to Hong Kong Island and the Soho district. The temperates and humidy were opressive in the city and despite the worlds longest outdoor escalator, I was sweating profusely enough to try my hand at some soup and dumplings. You would think a bad choice at this heat, but worth it. I checked out Mak's Noodles, considered some of the best in Hong Kong. I tried both the Pork Dumplings with Noodles in Soup as well as the Beef Brisket with Noodles. Neither disapointed and for only $108 HK including drinks (about $14 US) it was well worth the heat and electrolites surrendered to the mean streets of Central Hong Kong.
So after a quick weekend I felt more aclimated, in a city that boasts being somewhere in between Asia and the rest of the world, somewhere between modern and ancient I found myself on that more Eastern path and more prepared for the time zone, culture, food and logistics of the days ahead. I found it a terrific transition city, with the language, the culture being that right mix of what you know and what you dont, enough to get me excited for the days ahead without shocking the shit out of my western brain. A city not unlike San Francisco in a lot of ways, it is the "Pearl of the Orient" and a welcome begining to this adventure.
Next, its off to Borneo!