We had all intention today of getting up at a sensible time, however time zone differences and jetlag got the better of our normal toddler alarm clock and we ended up missing breakfast and laying in until 10.30.
Wandering back down to the harbourside, we went through Kowloon Park and stopped to look at the flamingos. Hong Kong isn’t the most pram-friendly city but I’m sure that there was an easier way into and out of the park – a large flight of steps up and an escalator down. In Hong Kong generally there always seem to be lifts – but normally from the 1st floor – meaning you have to negotiate an escalator or steps to get there first. Although the locals have been great towards our little boy, when out on the street they seem oblivious to the pram and you end up playing a game of chicken as you’re pushing your way along the pavements.
From the Southern tip of the Kowloon peninsula, we took the famous Star Ferry over to Hong Kong Island. Running since 1888 these ferries plough backwards and forwards all day long taking passengers on the 7 minute trip connecting the mainland and the original HK settlement. The Island feels a bit less gritty than the peninsula – although there are lots of premium brand shops in Kowloon, over here they’re magnified 10-fold – think Gucci, Cartier etc.
We stopped for lunch at the Luk Yu Tea House on Stanley Street– delicious dim sum and jasmine tea albeit with rather brusque service! Master W decided he wasn’t going to have any of it and instead just wanted snack bars!
After lunch, a bit more of a wander and then we ended up at the Peak Tram – a funicular railway that’s been taking passengers up to Victoria Peak for just over a century. Very busy and very steep, it deposited us at the top where we took a 3km walk around Harlech and Lugard Roads – the so-called Morning Trail. Lush greenery, peace & quiet and I’m sure, on a hot day, a lovely respite from the heat. Amazing really that in the heart of HK you can find some peace and tranquillity like this. A quick stop at the main viewing area before we took the tram back down the hill, and the ferry back across the harbour.
After the lack of dim-sum eating at lunchtime, we decided it best to for something a bit more Western for dinner, so in we popped to Pizza Express in a nearby shopping centre – consistent the world over, albeit the service a bit less attentive over here! We didn’t realise quite where the restaurant was until, 10 mins into our meal, the building opposite started to move – we realised we were right at the cruise terminal. The boat moved and revealed a quite spectacular view of the Hong Kong skyline.
We went back to the hotel via the Temple Street night market. This had been built up as an interesting place to go of an evening but unfortunately all we saw were a few stalls selling what can only be described as pretty tatty plastic souvenirs – not one worth going back to really.
Apart from that, we had a fab day in Hong Kong and are really quite sad to be having to leave it quite so soon.