China 2008: Day 9: Hong Kong Island
Last day in Hong Kong! =(
Breakfast in Mong Kok-- noodles of all kinds, delicious won ton yee mein!-- then on the subway to Tsim Sha Tsui, where we wandered into the Peninsula Hotel for a few minutes, then took the Star Ferry across to Hong Kong Island. Compared to HKD3,5000/night or more for a room at the Peninsula, the Star Ferry's HKD2.80 (if memory serves) is practically free.
Wandered into a mall, then began making our way east towards the Peak Tram station. Clouds and rain threatened the morning as we walked through Statue Square and the HSBC building, then stopped for lunch in the Citibank building. Eating next to a horde of bankers-- many of them about our age and discussing similar things, like where to go skiing next-- was pretty cool, even if the food wasn't the greatest.
Made it to the Peak Tram next, enjoyed a beautiful view, and watched them do a very quick Photoshop of a daylight picture of Diana into a night picture. For the HKD200 for both the day and night pictures, labor must still be cheap here. The view from the Peak is amazing, almost a complete 360. It's a pity it wasn't clear, but it was still pretty nice. Didn't go quite as photo crazy as I normally do, since I was here less than a year ago.
Back down, then the famous double-decker bus back to Central, and the Star Ferry. We skipped shopping in Wan Chai and Causeway Bay due to limited time, did a quick stop at Temple Street Night Market (it wasn't yet night, so we left) then made our way back to Mong Kok to finish up shopping. Unexpectedly found a Shanghainese place for more xiaolongbao (who could resist?) and sat next to some German tourists. It was good to know my German is actually still pretty decent in its disuse, and is still significantly better than my Cantonese. The fact that everyone was fluent in English helped, too.
Late night snack run to fill the suitcases added to the amusement of the day. I think the "Super Snack" down the street from the hotel probably made a full day's profit off of Diana's shopping alone... and we ended up too tired to head over to Temple Street Night Market. Disappointing as that was, since I probably didn't need to eat anymore, that was probably for the better!
