room with a view – Hong Kong
Wow. Hong Kong is so amazing, a unique blend of old and new, Eastern and Western cultures. We spent most of our first full day here on a walking tour with Daisann of Little Adventures In Hong Kong (website here) and it was such a fabulous introduction to some of the food and culture.
Our first nosh of the tour was a stop at Hoi An Cafe for some fresh egg tarts and milk tea. Milk tea isn’t just tea with milk added; the tea is brewed and strained, then boiled with the milk and strained again through cloth, which gives it a velvety texture. It was wonderful with the tarts and other pastries. Daisann explained that texture is very important in Hong Kong cuisine.
We then walked through some of the herb markets, which also include dried foods and medicinal plant and animal products. Here, food is regarded as medicine and certain ingredients are added to promote health and well-being. Birds’ nest soup, for example contains lots of collagen and for women here it’s often been used as a beauty tonic.
These fungi are said to have cancer-preventing properties and some Western medical studies have indicated this as well.
We also picked up our Octopus cards and began learning how to navigate the subway system, which is actually very efficient and fast as well as air-conditioned, and there’s public wi-fi on the trains themselves. Hong Kong is really ahead of us in that respect.
I’m going to do a separate post later about the student protests, but we walked through the main site and I was very moved by what I saw. It was clean, orderly and the determination of these young people was palpable.
We enjoyed a light dim-sum lunch, and Daisann wanted to help me find a good UV-protection umbrella, so she took me to her favorite Japanese department store in Causeway Bay, and from there we walked back to the hotel, taking a quick tour of the “wet markets” where produce and live seafood are sold (and other live things I imagine, though I wasn’t looking too closely…not a place for the squeamish).
Today, off to do some exploring on our own. Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend!
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Thanks for the tour! i was not familiar with milk tea, and I look forward to your take on the protests! Stay safe and enjoy!
Wonderful photos, Une Femme. I had some fear you would show close-up pics of the live/mostly live food markets! I too look forward to your post about the brave student protesters. xo
Ah, yes, this brings back memories of the most vertical city in the world.
And what a view it is! How exciting your photo diary is! Looking forward to further installments. How’s the capsule wardrobe working out thus far? Have fun and be well and safe.
Susan, you are so adventurous!! I thought the ‘octopus card’ was cute–never heard that before! I’m currently living I Honolulu for 4 months : umbrellas are used here for sun protection also. Safe travels! Love your posts. X Sally
We should all use those UV umbrellas–we’d all have such beautiful skin.
And what a view it is! Exciting photo diary — looking forward to further installments. How are you finding your capsule wardrobe thus far? Be well, safe and enjoy!
Such a fun adventure. I look forward to more stories and photos.
I have been to HongKong three times and I always so impressed by this unique city. Hope to go back one time. I look forward to more photos and stories…
Annette | Lady of Style
Thank you for this great post! You’re so whetting my travel appetite
Thank you for sharing your trip with us! I’m hopelessly hooked on your fashion posts, and now I find your travels equally enchanting and informative. I’ve never been abroad, and am so delighted by your visions and observations of Hong Kong. Warmest wishes for a fabulous trip!!!
Barbara Lynch
Great post thanks Susan! The milk tea sounds delish, I am definitely going to try that. I look forward to your post on the student protests, we have been following their actions and art with great interest.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay here in Hong Kong, despite the blocked roads and protests going on.
Hong Kong is such a vibrant city with so much new and old blended in. I was born there and have not been there for 10+ years. I hope to bring my son to visit in the next couple of years.
Thanks for sharing these photos.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Great photos! I’ve really been enjoying following your trip on Instagram. 🙂
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com
My son will be traveling over Thanksgiving to Hong Kong with his fiancée to visit relatives and some of the places he wants to revisit (his favorite coffee shop) is in the area of the protests. I will be interested to hear how the protests affect daily life and if there is any danger to visitors.
Kris, at this point there seems to be very little danger, but the road closures have snarled traffic in some main areas which is impacting taxi and other drivers, and from what I can sense is even starting to get on the nerves of some here who are otherwise supportive of the protestors’ cause. The protestors themselves are quite peaceful and the only scuffles have come from anti-protest people. I think by Thanksgiving this will have ended one way or another.
Thank you for the reassurance
I’ve been paying a lot of attention to the protests. HK is such an unusual place with its clashing culture and governance. I fear it, like Tibet, will be crushed by China’s totalitarianism.
Thank you, Susan, for allowing us to enjoy Hong Kong vicariously! Can’t wait to see and hear more! Continue to enjoy your trip.
Wow! What an interesting place to visit .. must get there .. one day.
Monica.
Breathtaking, and terrific photos,; thank you Pseu!
Fantastic post!! My son is currently studying in Hong Kong and we leave in two weeks to visit him, so I have look forward to your posts! Where are you staying? Can’t wait to hear more!!
Looks fantastic. Have a wonderful time!