Hong Kong: Then Vs Now part 2 ~2017

2017 is supposed to be the time when I go on new adventures, meet new people and try new things. However, I was hit with a sudden desire for the old: Old friends, old places and old comforts. One of the places now that screams familiarity to me is Hong Kong. Having been to Hong Kong before and having a few friends who live out there it seemed the perfect place to unwind and fight the homesickness that has been creeping up on me here in Korea.

I knew exactly what I wanted to eat before I went there (though I didn't have time for har gau, sadly). I ate cheese and onion Walkers crisps, drank as much Vita Soy as my body would allow and loaded up on Char Siu Bao and tea cakes from Marks and Spencers. Although I was surrounded by home comforts I also tried to experience some new things out there this time around. 

I started my travels in Mui Wo on Lantau island before making my way up to Macau for the day. In Macau we ate and zigzagged through the whole island checking out the casinos. We did all of the cheesy touristy musts like going to the Venetian casino and riding on the gondolas, we ate Lord Stow's Portuguese egg tarts and we ended our night in Sky 21, the lounge bar famous for it's view of Macau. 

The next morning we dragged ourselves on the ferry back across to Hong Kong stopping to drop our luggage off in Kowloon which was to be our base for the rest of our stay. Kowloon is great to me as it is a little bit run down and reminds me more of Mainland China which was my from home 2011 to 2012. Despite being located in Kowloon, we were out every day. One moment we were in Central having lunch in Midlevels, the next we were on Lamma island enjoying a beer with locals and expats. We even found time to go to the infamous Lan Kwai Fong (Brickhouse was my favourite haunt).

Tai O fishing village back on Lantau was definitely memorable. I had only learned of this place last year and I was very eager to go and see it for myself. We didn't see any dolphins but the stilt houses were more than enough to catch my attention. It is known as the Venice of Asia and many residents use boats to get around.

Lamma Island was a hit among my colleagues and I, and Stanley was an unexpected gem. Hong Kong is such a varied place and there is definitely something for everyone. I hope I can explore even more when I go there next. 

Actually Choi Hung and a few other destinations deserve their own posts so watch out for that.

Stay tuned for more about Hong Kong... and South Korea of course.