Days 0/1 - Departure
Day 2 - Hong Kong
Day 3 - Return
Capital Seafood Irvine - Jan 2015
Sea Empress - Jan 2015
Dim sum - 2014
Dim sum - 2013
Dim sum - 2012
Dim sum - 2011
Dim sum - 2010
Dim sum - 2009
Dim sum - 2008
Dim sum - 2007
Dim sum - 2006
Hong Kong
Unlike the Regal Riverside in Sha Tin, the Regal Oriental in Kowloon City is much closer to central Hong Kong, yet much less convenient from the MTR. A so-so hotel breakfast later, then off to wander on foot.
Kowloon City's wet market was the first stop, complete with fish mongers and the filet'ed, still-breathing fish. (pictures omitted, they were somewhat disturbing... o_0 ) Walking further down the road, out of the older, more-worn areas of Kowloon City into some moderately-fancy, newer low-rise apartments with some rather high-end taste in cars. Multiple Ferrari's and Nissan GT-R's among others, then we were out of Kowloon City and onto Boundary Road, then the flower market, where Lunar New Year preparations were clearly in evidence.
Plenty more walking to Fa Yuen Street, then up to Sham Sui Po for lunch at Tim Ho Wan. 1pm is clearly a less than ideal time to get there and the food doesn't seem quite as good compared to first thing in the morning, but it's still superb dim sum. Har gow, pei dan jook, lo bac guo, shu mai, and of course, the reason behind their Michelin star, the char shu bao!
Walked up to Kowloon City after that, exploring one of the few truly low-rise older neighborhoods on the way as we passed by Hong Kong City University, and then into Festival Walk mall. More of a mid-range mall than others, it was still packed, Lunar New Year decorations strongly in evidence, and stores like Kee Wah Bakery and the Apple store were all crazy crowded. The grocery store (Taste) was well stocked with delicious goodies as well-- the roast pork was quite good, as was the beef tongue.
Back to the hotel afterwards, then via the bus to Causeway Bay for a dinner of snake soup, dessert, and then drinks with Petula. The bus system keeps Kowloon City well connected, and even on a Sunday night, Causeway Bay is crowded with shoppers.
Snake soup at Se Wong Yee was delicious, packed, efficient, and if you didn't know it was snake, you probably wouldn't realize it. The line out the door cycled patrons in and out quickly, people ordered and ate in an efficient manner, ditto for the kitchen and staff. Quite an experience just watching the restaurant operate! Dessert at Lucky Dessert was very good, and mango with clear noodle was definitely something I'd never seen in the USA. Beer-- well, given all the ex-pats in Hong Kong, they do a good job with beer. And always good to catch up with friends!