Hong Kong Trip 2009 - Part 1 (The Story)

I visited Hong Kong again after 2.5 years apart. This was not the first time that i went back to a same place twice; the last time i did the same thing for Shanghai too. Some people might think that is a waste of money of doing so but i look it in a different way.

Visiting a place for 2nd time gave me a chance to see how the place has progress in time. It also gave me a chance to visit places & do things that i've missed from the previous trip. Traveling back to a same place with different companions also allows me to experience different kinda enjoyment & enlightenment. Best of all, i get to taste again the food that i've missed so much since the last visit....hahaha

It was only two of us (supposed to be 3 if not bcoz s'one has accidentally washed his passport...hahaha). Alden was my companion this time. During 2006 trip was 11 of us.

Not so much about shopping since we tried not to spend too much due to the economy down turn. We decided to make this trip more relaxing, quality instead of quantity. At least after some time when we look back, we can remember more than just the memory of “touch & go” from place to place.

It was a complete 4 full days trip. On the 1st day of arrival we reached HK airport slightly after 10am & started our sightseeing immediately. I cant believe that we went up to Po Lin Monastery & bronze Buddha carrying our luggage with us...haha. (kinda regret that i brought a luggage!!) Basically we did Lantau Island & TST that day.

On the 2nd day, Macau day tour was replaced by HK Island & Lamma Island. But here what i remembered most is Lamma Island. Lamma Island consist of two villages (Yung ShueWan & Suk Kwu Wan) that both connected by an hour walk trail across the hill. We were there for the Seafood. Compared to Sai Kung & Lei Yu Mun (also famous for Seafood), this place is relatively cheaper.

The fun part was, we kinda under estimated the trail distance between the villages. When the local told us that it is an hour walk, I thought the time measured as one can stop & take time to indulge in the green scenery. But we soon found out it really meant walk without stopping. We departed from Yung Shue Wan around 6pm, we walked and stopped for photos thinking that we can reach earlier than an hour. (sigh! Sundown at 630pm!)

The nightmare started after 15minutes of walking. The trail was getting higher & the sky got darker. While I was trying to keep up with Alden's pace, he suddenly stopped & said : " Errmm..can u manage to walk faster?? Errrmm…Look around, we are passing by a cemetary. We still dont know what's infront & how long more to go."

Gosh! With goose bumps all over me, we started to walk faster & run at the same time. In my heart I was praying hard to see the village soonest. We didnt make it before the sunset; the last 20minutes walk was visible only with the help of moonlight above. Hmm...the seafood dinner was a good compliment though after all the excitement of walking. ;p

3^rd day was less hassle as we have Kiki (Alden’s friend) brought us around the northern part of HK mainland. We did Sai Kung, Tai Wo & ended the day in Mong Kok. With a local around, we get to do & taste what normally HK people do. It was so nice of Kiki that she took a day off from work.

On the last day we did quite a bit at Yau Mah Tei & Shum Sui Wan before meeting another Alden’s HK friend for Japanese lunch at North Point. We left for airport after 4pm.

Overall, it was really a good trip. Good companion. We plan as we travel & was totally stress free. Thank God for the perfect weather throughout. Evergreen hotel was clean & at strategic location (recommended!!). Food wise, we eat until the very last minute before boarding. And of course, nice meeting new friends abroad. ;p

* PS : Photos will come in Hong Kong Trip – Part 2