Hong Kong Revisited, Part Trois

Day 4 was our Hong Kong half-day tour.I knew some of you must be wondering why I joined the tour as I've been to HK before.. The reason is because it was part of the condition that my dad would allow me to travel to HK without my family. And also because this is Macho's first time in HK. Hence, the half-day tour.

The tour guide came to pick us up around 7 a.m. There were also another group of Malaysians who participated in the tour. We were then brought to a Dim sum restaurant for breakfast. After a so-so and rushing breakfast, our first stop of the day was the Tin Hau temple in Repulse Bay.

Apparently, this temple in Repulse Bay is one of HK's famous tourist attraction because all the tourists will be brought here (I've been here once before this). The reason it's famous because it is the only temple that is located at the beach. This is also because of the shrines that were located at the temple.

L-R :The Laughing Buddha, Kun Iam, Tin Hau

Most of the shrines were built using mosaic tiles. Impressive, aren't they? Since it was quite cold that day, Macho and I only stayed for 10 minutes before going back to the tour bus.

Love this shot. So serene.

Then, we headed to the Aberdeen Fishing Village; where we were all cheated by the tour guide. Since I've been on the fishing boat ride before, so this time I decided not to go. However, the tour guide leave no choice for us and we were practically forced into the boat. She didn't even tell us that we have to pay for the ride until the boat leaves the dock. Hence, we were poorer by 55HKD.

Fishermen's Village

Also spotted some beautiful yachts that were parked at the docks

We were cheated for this---JUMBO floating restaurant that were located in the middle of the sea!!!

It was the longest(and coldest) boat ride ever! According to the boat controller (does such word exist?), those fishermen live and go about their daily routines on the same boat.

Can you spot the washing machine?

After the "joy" ride, we were brought to the Golden Bauhina Square; located outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Golden Bauhina was a gift from China to HK during the 1997 handover of Hong Kong. According to the tour guide, it was entirely made of gold. The bauhina is also Hong Kong's national flower. After 10 minutes at Bauhina Sq., we were then brought to a jewelry factory owned by Jackie Chan. If I recalled correctly, it's called the J.C. Jewelry.

Yours truly with the Amethyst Geode

We were there for about 30 minutes and as usual, we end up buying nothing. More for aunties and those soon-to-be-married clients.

Then, we headed to Avenue of Stars at Kowloon. Originally, this lousy tour guide doesn't want to bring us there as everyone has already been there. Luckily, one guy changed his mind and off we went!

Hong Kong Island is just across!

Since it was still super cold in the afternoon, Macho and I grabbed a cuppa from Starbucks ;)

Jet Li's hands ain't that big..So, you know what they say about men and the size of their hands *.^ ??

Our last stop was luncheon at a Chinese Restaurant in Nathan Road; which costs us HKD 150 inclusive of the dim sum breakfast earlier.After that, we were free to travel to wherever we like. I've gotta say that I'm not satisfied with this tour guide as she's only doing a half-past six job. Even I would be a better tour guide than her!

Along Nathan Road. A bus that's heading to a place called Happy New Year. Haha!Gotta see it to believe it!

After lunch, we walked to Ladies' Market in Mongkok for some retail therapy. Things there weren't exactly dirt cheap. I guess you really have to persistent to get some good bargain. After hours of shopping and walking, we took a break and had desserts at Hui Lau Shan at Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mongkok.

Clockwise: Mango Omochi , Glutinous Rice Balls in Mango Puree, Mango Ice-cream

I dunno what this is called..So, I named it the Mango Palette. Haha.. The desserts tasted okay. Love the Mango ice-cream !

We also went to Apliu Street to check out Macho's PSP cuz they were cheaper by RM 100 or so. Unfortunately, the warranty was only valid in Hong Kong. Finally, our last shopping destination of the day was in Central!

I was searching high and low for this particular shop...This shop is on my places -to -visit- in-HK list .Turned out actually, we were only a stone's throw away!

Yay! Finally I found the renowned Swedish retail chain, Hennes & Mauritz!

H&M's concept is something like Forever 21-cum-Zara-cum-Mango. H&M is also cheaper. While we were there, they're having this crazy sales. Saw a winter jacket for only HKD 150! Too bad Malaysia doesn't have four seasons.

They have 4 outlets in HK and the one in Central has 4 levels; where the 1st and 2nd Floor are for Women, while the 3rd and 4th floors are for Men and Children respectively.

We totally went at the bad time because it's right after office hour. So, all the O.L. were dashing in and shopping like lunatics.

Who says it's recession now? Women are going crazy in there!

Luckily, I managed to control myself and just got myself a red leather-inspired tote for only HKD 99.50.The ori price was HKD 199.Such a bargain, right??

At 7 p.m, we took the electric tram to Queensway, and then we walked to the Peak Tram Terminus to take the tram up hill. Alas, the queue at the terminus was rather long! So, we took a cab up and it costs us 50HKD.So, the fare is almost the same as taking the tram uphill.

Since I took the Peak tram before, I like the idea of taking a cab up hill. And honestly, the Peak tram was nothing to scream about. The best way to get to the Peak is actually by bus because the road up hill is so narrow.So if you're seated at the front , you could experience all the syiokness and the expertise of HK bus drivers!

After the 10-minutes taxi ride, we reached Victoria Peak! The view is absolutely breath-taking! Not to mention the weather was super cold!!!!!!!! But it was worth it :)

Spot the electric shaver! Taken using Night Mode

Taken with my Omnia. Normal mode.

Group pic by Angie's Cam.Dunno what mode she used. And yes, she wore the same jacket everyday. Bloody smelly lah~

After spending about an hour at the Peak, we took the bus down to Central and then took the MTR back to Tsuen Wan for dinner.

We had dinner at a noodle stall just outside Tsuen Wan MTR Station. Sorry, I can't recall the name. But it's the only noodle store there, next to a sushi shop.

I had the Beef Brisket Noodle. The portion's huge!!!

I don't know it's the cold weather or cuz I was hungry; somehow dinner that day was amazingly delicious. Haha, probably both. Nothing beats a bowl of hot noodle during the cold weather, right?