Hong Kong Day 2

July 2nd Hong Kong
We got up early on what would prove to be a long, tiring but very enjoyable day and after showering went out for some breakfast. The exorbitant room rate at the Langham didn't include breakfast. Anyway, not to worry, we both fancied some local fare and ended up at a Dim Sum place just around the corner where I took a few photos - and a video which will never see the lit of day - and some of these start off the picture entry for today's journal piece.

We then headed off to the Star Ferry pier and took a boat over to Hong Kong where the first order of the day was to take the funicular railway to the Peak. It is an amazing ride. Before you take it, however, you have to line up and get your ticket and then - that task accomplished - usually have to contend with a period of jostling, pushing, queue jumping and mild irritation as you shuffle and nudge your way to the platform to board the train that takes you up the incredibly steep ascent to the Peak.

As I went through the process of steering myself and Bin toward the platform, I found myself pushed up against a couple of interesting display cabinets with exhibits of tools and materials used in the original surveying and laying down of the first track. Really interesting, every cloud has a silver lining it is true, and I got to see what appeared to be a very early example of what eventually turned into the Filofax. See for yourself in the pictures accompanying this entry!

After taking a library load of photographs, most of which I spare you in this trip report, we took a double-decker tram to the Causeway Bay area and mooched around the markets there. Tiring and wearisome on the feet. Some great characters though, shop owners, sales assistants and customers alike and a real shopping adventure.

By around 3pm we were both ready to take a break for a few hours so headed home to the hotel, crossing the harbour again on the Star Ferry, taking more photos and then after a shower, putting the feet up and shutting the eyes before heading out once more to the area of Lan Kwai Fong and a bite of dinner.

We ended up, after a couple of diversions for drinks, at a Chinese restaurant slightly off the Lan Kwai Fong beaten track. A small, intimate place, run by a nice Mother and Daughter team. The restaurant is called the Chongqing and both Bin and myself can heartily recommend it. The food was extremely tasty and the atmosphere and decor were very nice too. Only about 16 covers, so we were lucky to get a place without having to make a reservation or wait.
After that we rambled back to the Star Ferry, with me taking a few shots of neon lit side streets on my way, and then it was back to The Langham, where I think the majority of the room fee went on the pillows- they were exceptionally comfortable and I slept a deep sound sleep.

Maybe, however, it was the prodigious quantity of Tsing Tao beers I'd consumed earlier.... We will never know for certain!