Poor Nic, she is back at work. I hung out at her apartment doing washing, and a few things on the internet. It was a relaxing morning but I was itching to get out and about. Nic had left me with Insight Guides Hong Kong book so I headed out to explore the city at about 11am. Nic lives on the 12th floor of a building close to Soho. I can't stop looking out the windows at the massive apartment blocks surrounding us - I don't stand too close to the window though as the heights are un-nerving.
I decided to focus on the local area, so headed off down the mid-level escalators (it is extremely hilly in this area of Hong Kong - an escalator takes people down through the streets of Soho from early morning til 10.30am, and then it changes direction so people don't have to walk up all the stairs. Makes perfect sense!) I was instantly hit by how much hotter it is here in HK, and the humidity is so much more extreme. Just as well I have been to Malaysia prior to this to get use to the conditions. It would've been more of a shock if I had've come straight from the UK (sorry, just re-read this and my english is really poor but I'm sure you will excuse me for this).
Hollywood Road is famous for all its antique and art stores. It is incredible and I spent ages just looking in the various stores. The attention to detail is incredible. I passed Chinese temples, food markets, and restaurants, laundering shops, and beauticians. Unfortunately one of the main temples in the area Man Mo (dated from 1842) is closed for restoration.
I stopped in a traditional no-fuss noodle shop for a bowl of noodles for lunch. I chose a pork wonton noodle soup but as soon as I bit into it, I realised that it had seafood in it as well. Trying to explain to the waiter that I am allergic to shell-fish was interesting but he ended up understanding me, bringing fresh chop sticks and a spoon, and a bowl of beef noodle soup. It was really tasty and I enjoyed it after I managed to get all the fat off the meat!!
I wandered around for awhile longer, then stopped at a Vietnamese restaurant for more food and a cold drink - beef rice paper rolls that were fabulous, and a soda, lime and mint drink. Just what was needed.
Check the photos out:
Late afternoon I headed back to Nic's place to cool down and have a rest. The humidity is really intense.
At about 7.30pm I met Nic for dinner and a couple of drinks. We found a really nice restaurant in Soho for a meal and bottle of wine (food was not as expensive as I thought, but alcohol is). After dinner we went to Lan Kwai Fong, to a bar called La Dolce Vita. Another friend Nic suggested I go there and have a gin and tonic for her. I had to oblige! There are a couple of festivals on in Hong Kong at the moment, and there are lovely lanterns strung up all over the place. They really look great at night. By the way, I feel so safe walking around the streets of Hong Kong at night, and I really am surprised how clean the place is.
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