Hong Kong is a place I know very little about. Sometimes I research, and other times I enjoy letting a new place unfold before me. I have a great resource – someone who knows enough about the city make it interesting but not “ex-pat-been-there-done-that.” I have only ONE day and I’m not working, so I am going to enjoy seeing Hong Kong as a tourist. There is a quick easy train that leads straight into the city in 30minutes or so… (I was delirious – don’t quite remember – but it was painless amount of time after a 10 hour flight)
Wall of Skyscrapers
My hotel is Shangri La – because it’s available, and of course because I like the name, (the concept of Shangri La may well be the motivation of my wanderlust). The front desk staff are professionally intense – handing you items, with both hands and full eye contact, in both the most gentle and elaborate ways. Note to self: Practice the ‘grace’ thing. My room is on the 45 floor – which flips me out, as I edge toward the window to see the view of the city (The wall of skyscrapers is astounding) and harbor. It’s so high up. I don’t look out often.
I walk to the Victoria Peak trolly first thing in the morning …wait in the line for a painless 15 minutes, take the steep trolly up, up. up the mountain. Really an incredible view – I had no picture in mind of Hong Kong except stories people have told me of the old airport, and planes landing between buildings. Now that I’m here I wonder how that would have been possible. When I make it to the top – I find along with the view – a Starbucks – of course, they are following me everywhere. My next mission is to find The Aviary – “a treed enclave in the middle the tall buildings” my resource tells me – pleasantly surprised to find it’s walking distance from the hotel and victoria peak trolly.
The Aviary
More Hong Kong
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Malls and More: Pacific Centre, The Landmark, IFC
On the Ferry to Kowloon to see the city from the water. Outstanding recommendation from my source –who hasn’t steered me wrong yet. I stop by the Peninsula Tea Room for a scone…the line up is forever and cutting into my tourist-time, however, I am completely occupied watching the crowds go in and out of Cartier making purchase after purchase. This hotel houses a Prada Store, Versace and more. The myth is true – absolute utter label obsession – women with huge GUCCI and LV shopping bags. Mass consumption – wow.
Kowloon Bound
While I’ve been eating scones – it starts to get darker – Time to catch the ferry back.
The Lineup at the Peninsula Hotel for Tea & Hong Kong at Dusk