A Day in Hong Kong
Central Mid Levels Escalator
It’s Valentine’s Day in Hong Kong. I breakfast on Onigiri (triangle shaped rice filled with eel and wrapped in seaweed). I love this snack and eat it every chance I get when I’m anywhere in Asia that sells it. I am enjoying the view over Victoria Harbour from our eighteenth floor window.
We head out to the Central Mid-Levels Escalator which is the largest covered escalator system in the world. Its a pedestrian connection between the neighbourhoods built on the steep slope of the mountain and takes 20 minutes to go from bottom to top. Along the way you can get off at various points. There is just one escalator so it’s paired with stairs. In the morning the escalator goes down until 10am as people go to work in the city and the rest of the day it goes up.
We make a stop off at the small Tai Cheong Bakery for their famous Egg Custard Tarts which I can personally vouch for as being totally delicious. This bakery was established in 1954.
Today and yesterday have been sunny and warm. I am dressed in summer clothes but I notice most people are in long sleeves, sweat shirts and many are wearing jackets. I am actually super hot at times in my sleeveless top. Maybe it’s the Canadian in me.
Afternoon at the Country Club with Chris and his Family
Next we take the very efficient public transit to the Hong Kong Country Club where we meet Chris and his girlfriend Margot. Chris shows us the sign that lists his grandfather as one of the founding members. We have a delicious dim sum meal before heading out to the pool where we meet up with his brother who is visiting from the Netherlands, some friends and his mother.
The time passes too quickly. We say goodbye.
On our way out of the country club, I hear a loud squawking. Up in the tree is a white crested cockatoo. It is gorgeous.
Star Ferry Ride and the Sunset
John and I take transit to the Star Ferry terminal where we catch take the ferry across Victoria Harbour to the mainland where we make our way to West Kowloon Art Park. We walk the promenade looking back at Hong Kong Island and watch the setting sun.
Hong Kong Palace Museum
The nearby Hong Kong Palace Museum is open until 8:00pm. We get a general admission ticket. The exhibits are interesting and the viewing decks looking over and across the harbour are gorgeous. I especially love the Immersive Digital Exhibits. Click here for a short video.
Heading back to the Hotel
On the way to the subway station we notice that one of the tall buildings has Valentine’s Day messages flashing up its side.
We take the subway public back to our hotel. It is so efficient. Sadly it makes me realize how inadequate our Toronto transit system is for the size of our city.
