Confusion says: To have a friend coming from afar, is it not happy?

Last Monday, Stuart vacationed China and Hong Kong is his final stop, as a local resident, I'm pleased to show him around. He only had a day here so I managed to cover some must-see at this concrete jungle. This is also a perfect plan for anyone who have limited time available to explore Hong Kong.

Our first stop was the Big Buddha on Lantau island, world's largest outdoor sitting bronze Buddha, sounds interesting but quite frankly, the Buddha is just that - a really big Buddha on top of a hill. Once we arrived at the monastery, Stuart took some photos, then we started to climb up steps to reach the Buddha. There are over 200 steps to the top. It was a clear day I saw miles of the South China Sea, dotted with small islands and the occasional freighter. There is a small museum under the base of the Buddha, so we went in there and had a look around. It's very small so it didn't take long. Everything is only in Chinese, I couldn't translate because my English isn't good enough for all those religious and metaphysical terms. Sorry about that.

We had our vegetarian lunch in the Monastery, and decided to go back to Mongkok. In Mongkok, you can always find something to do or buy like dvds, teapots, t-shirts, incense, electronics, collectible toys, things like that.

We spent a few hours walking around Mongkok and Yau Ma Tei, we hopped on a cross tunnel bus and went to Causeway Bay. I wanted to show Stuart the store that carry Miyazaki's anime toys, but they no longer carry it while we were there. After that we had a tram ride to Admiralty, walk thru Pacific Place to Hong Kong Park and then to Victoria Peak Tram Station, took the tram all the way to the top.

From the peak, we got there just before sunset, see the most spectacular view of Hong Kong/Kowloon, Stuart is impressed by the view. I'm still amazed at how we have covered every available bit of land with high-rises.

We left the peak and walk down to Central from the tram station to have a look at the G5 iMac, there is an Apple Centre in Stanley street. After that we had dinner in a small restaurant on Wellington Street, (too bad the best restaurant in town Yung Kee was fully booked!)

Then, we took Star Ferry from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui and walk to Avenue of Stars and called it a day.

I hope I haven't worn you out with this long report but it was amazing that I took metro, bus, tram and ferry within just one single day, it also made me realize I'm living in a convenient place to get around.

Listen to

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I highly recommended every one to buy a prepaid pass Octopus at the MTR Customer Service Centre for $150 ($50 for deposit, $100 for the fare), it is a stored value smart-card which does not need to be removed from a wallet or bag providing that you place it in close contact with a panel, which records the point of entry and point of departure and then deducts the fare at the end of the journey. Octopus works on all the other parts of public traffics such as bus, tram and ferry, you can use it for purchases at convenience store, too. Just Remember not to buy the special tourists passes cuz they don't offer a good deal.

Enough of Octopus talk, here is transportation details:
From Tsui Sha Tsui to Poh Lin Monastery: Tsim Sha Tsui mtr station to Central Station, walk to Hong Kong Station's Tung Cheung Line's platform, exit at Tung Chung Station. At the Tung Chung Station, go to Bus Terminal Exit and take No.23 bus to get to the Poh Lin Monastery (a 45 mins bus ride)

From Poh Lin Monastery to Mongkok: bus ride to Tung Chung Station, interexchange at Lai King Station, get on the Tsuen Wan Line and get off at Mongkok station

From Yau Ma Tei to Causeway Bay: Hop on No. 102 (or 106, 118) City bus on Nathan Road, get off at Victoria Park bus stop

From Causeway Bay to Admiralty: Tram

From Admiralty to the Peak: The Peak Tram

From Central to Tsui Sha Tsui: Star Ferry.

Listen to nothing

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