Unforgettable Hong Kong
On arrival in Hong Kong we were met by Graham and Jane who took us via the scenic route to their apartment in the lush hills above Sai Kung to the north east of Hong Kong. They have the most enviable views from their apartment.
Graham and Jane were amazing hosts and tour guides showing us all the best sights in Hong Kong and it wasn’t long before we were proficient ourselves in navigating Hong Kong using the futuristic Mass Transit Railway (MTR). Whilst in Hong Kong we were fortunate to be able to visit numerous great sights like Victoria Peak where we took the Peak Tram funicular railway 1,300 feet up the mountainside to the top, where we had spectacular panoramic views of Hong Kong from the Sky Terrace, which is the highest 360° viewing terrace in Hong Kong. We also took the Peak Circular Walk which gave us amazing views of Hong Kong below.
We loved the 90 minute Aqua Luna cruise on an authentic red-sail Chinese Junk from Victoria Harbour all around Hong Kong Island to Stanley on the south-side of the island, where we saw the colourful market, had lunch at one of the waterfront cafes and visited the Chinese Tin Hau Temple.
Within the tall buildings of Kowloon is the beautiful and tranquil Nan Lian Gardens which captures the essence of former China with authentic historical buildings set in stunningly landscaped gardens and ponds with numerous mature koi carp – such a contrast from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. Next door is the equally stunning Chi Lin Nunnery.
Once we had our bearings and had mastered the MTR, we visited Lantau Island where we took the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride across Tung Chung Bay from where you can have an amazing aerial view of Hong Kong airport continuing up the Lantau Island mountainside to the Po Lin Monastery where we climbed the 268 steps up to the famous 34m tall bronze statue known locally as Big Buddha. This is a must visit when in Hong Kong – just spectacular!
One evening we enjoyed a visit to the Happy Valley Racecourse which one of the most famous horse racing courses in the world surrounded by sky scrapers – an amazing assault on the senses with bright lights and enthusiastic crowds cheering on their horses. We even had a flutter ourselves – a great fun evening.
No visit to Hong Kong is complete until you have ridden on the famous symmetrical green and white Star Ferry which took us from Hong Kong Island across Victoria Harbour to mainland Kowloon at night, where you can really appreciate the evening skyline of Hong Kong.
We also visited the former Portuguese colony of Macau Island via high speed jetfoil, where we visited ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral, the stunning A-Ma Temple, Senado Square and the Monte Fortress as well as taking a look around one of the many casinos that are found in Macau. We also visited the Macau Giant Panda Pavilion where we saw many Panda’s. Macau is a definite worthwhile visit whilst in Hong Kong.