Lantau Island, Ngong Ping 360, Tai-O Fishing Village

April 12, 2018 (Thursday) -- A Short Trip to Hong Kong and Taiwan

Woke up to a cloudy morning but the sight outside our window still gave us the goosebumps that we get whenever we look at Victoria Harbor here in Hong Kong. 

Our plan for the day is to go to Lantau Island on the Ngong Ping 360, which we have never done before. When I was a kid growing up in Hong Kong, Lantau Island seemed like a very faraway land that it would take forever to get there. Only ferries would provide the needed transportation then. Nowadays there are plenty of choices to get people to and from that big island where the HKIA is located, including trains, buses, and taxis. Today, we will take the train to the island, and then the cable car up to the Big Buddha. To avoid the heavy crowds on weekends, this would be the perfect day to go. Just hoping for good weather with no wind or rain.

The uniquely shaped iSquare building on the other side of Nathan Road.

The first buildings on the right is the Holiday Inn Golden Mile right outside our window.

Convention Center in Wanchai and the Intercontinental Hotel (brown building) on each side of the harbor.

Breakfast at our favorite spot--Wo Mei Porridge Shop in Jordan. Still the best to get fish porridge for us. Strangely though, the place was quite empty this morning. It used to be jammed with tourists and locals and sometimes there would be long wait to get a table. Not this morning, we walked right in and we were able to choose the table we wanted. I asked the woman there why it was so empty, she said it was still early. Hmmm,.. Anyway we still enjoyed the great porridge just the same as we had many times before.

Delicious fried fish balls! Must have!

Trip to the Big Buddha on Lantau Island

After breakfast, we took the Tsuen Wan subway (red) from Jordan to Lai King, then changed to the yellow line from Lai King to Tung Chung. All very easy and not crowded since this is a weekday morning. 

Inside the train.

map

Arrived and out of the Tung Chung station. Walked past this big open square with a water fountain...

go straight toward this direction, past the bus station...

then walk up to the Ngong Ping cable car station where you would join the line for tickets and ride. 

The line wasn't bad at all even though we were in the long line on the left because we did not pre-book our tickets. It moved quickly. The line on the right is for groups and will-call. I believe the stairs going up was for people who already have their pre-booked, pre-paid tickets. That one was the shortest of all.

Some Fun passes on sale, but we did not need those. In fact, we only purchased the one-way ticket because we were not planning on coming back to Tung Chung on the cable car.

Some of these cars have crystal bottom where you can pay more to get on if height is not a problem. 

We shared a regular cabin with a family from Scotland and a solo tourist from somewhere.

Leaving the city of Tung Chung behind as our cable car slowly moving on.

making a 90-degree turn here

closest to the airport

Then a constant climb up to the mountain top.

Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok.

There are actually hiking trails if you want to hike instead of taking the cable cars.

Our 'companion' helped us with this picture.

The Big Buddha in the distance.

I believe that's the man-made island connecting the bridge that is being built between Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai.

After the long cable car ride, we arrived at the top of the hill. Not as scary as I thought it would be.

There is a gift shop inside the station if souvenir is needed.

Entering the 'ancient village' across from the station exit.

Lower shopping area lined with restaurants, snack bars, and shops.

There are coupons in the flyer that we got with the tickets and we used one of them for a quick snack here.

A pineapple icee and a red bean tofu fa.

Wall of butterflies.

It was a short walk to the temple but a hike up to the Buddha. We decided it was not for us...

...but many others did though.

Gate to the temple

gigantic decorative incense burner

Tai-O, the fishing village

After the Big Buddha, we took the bus (#21) from the bus station behind the shops in the shopping area to the fishing village of Tai-O. I believe we have distant relatives living there, but I don't know any of them now. They own a shop on the main street there but as hard as I tried, I couldn't remember which one it was.

Turn right here making our way to the village after getting off the bus.

Stalls and shops selling many different kind of dried seafood products.

Houses on stilts. Didn't look too great when the water is so dried up..

It was interesting walking around these houses but I felt like invading their privacy as we walked on the wooden walkway passing through the front or back of their living quarters.

We were told about this bar/restaurant but it was closed and locked up.

Before this bridge was built, people would have to take a short boat ride crossing the canal.

After spending about an hour in the village we decided it was time to go back in town. We thought of having lunch here but nothing really appealed to us. 

Originally, we planned on taking the number 1 bus to Mui Wo, then take the ferry back to central, walk to the subway station and take the train back to the hotel. After thinking through it a little bit more, we decided to take the #11 bus back to Tung Chung and then the subway back to the hotel. Much easier and faster because we were kind of tired with jet lag sinking in.

Back to Tung Chung station.

When we got back to the hotel, we just went across the street to the (Silver Dragon) Ngan Lung Cafe for an afternoon 'tea'. We knew we would have a big dinner that evening with my cousin so just a little something to tie us over.

Fish ball noodle for MOR.

Hong Kong style hot milk tea, yummy!

Pork chop bun for me.

Delicious!

Passed by a bakery and got a piece of freshly baked cake to go...

very good, but

we only finished half of it.

Chao Yang Chinese Cuisine

My cousin had made reservation at the Chao Yang Restaurant on the 27th Floor of iSquare nearby. This restaurant is famous for their crispy Peking Duck and I have been told about this place before but have never had a chance to dine there. I am sure this is not a cheap place for dinner but seemed like a very popular restaurant none the less. What a great dinner we had!

Look out at the view of the habor is just magnificent!

We were there early so it was peaceful and quiet. It did get busy later on though.

Fish with fried minced bean, excellent! Fish was definitely fresh.

Thank you, Milly and Simon, for a wonderful dinner.

steamed buns (Shiao Lung Bao)

Our duck! A whole duck just for the four of us.

Oh, what can I say...! Those very thin wrappers made it much easier for us to savor the taste of the roasted duck.

After the wonderful dinner and saying 'good-bye' to Milly and Simon, we just took the short walk back to the hotel for the night.

Fresh fruit in the room waiting for our return.

LAX-TPE-HKG

A Short Trip to Hong Kong and Taiwan

April 9, 2018

Originally, this was planned as a family trip with longer stay in both Hong Kong and Taiwan. ChC and ET decided to cancel when a trans-pacific cruise was in the horizon after flights were booked. They would rather pay the penalties than being away from home for too long. The two of us decided to go ahead on this short two-week trip to accomplish some personal and business responsibilities.

A few days before the trip, our travel agent notified us that EVA Air canceled the flight that would take us from Taiwan to Hong Kong after our mid-day flight out from LAX to Taipei. If we keep the same flight out of LA, we would have a longer transit in Taipei waiting for the next available flight to Hong Kong which will make our arrival way too late into the night. To make better use of our time, we decided to take the midnight flight 12-hour earlier instead, with an early arrival in Hong Kong and almost like an extra day there. 

Seats were not assigned when they re-booked our flights so we had to check-in early in order to get decent seats. Fortunately, they still had two seats together but all the way at the back of the plane. 

Oh well, at least we will be sitting together. Security check was quick this time with not that many travelers and soon we were at the gate waiting for our flight.

Boarding was orderly by assigned zone numbers and flight was on time. Everything is going well so far.

Waiting for our BR 015 flight at Tom Bradley terminal.

We were surprised at how comfortable the seats were on this Boeing 777-300 ER plane. Plenty of leg space with nothing obstructing the limited movements one would need when flying close to 15 hours straight. The flight attendants really worked hard, quite different from the ones on Cathay or China Airlines. I was impressed! This was only our third time traveling EVA and the first time in economy. Our first experience with them was many years ago when they had a sale in premium economy. The last time we were with them was a couple of years ago but that was in business class using mileage redemption.

After about an hour and a half into the flight, printed menu was given out and meal served. Many airlines already did away with printed menu in economy. It is nice to actually see what they were serving.

Meal set including fresh fruit, salad, dessert and the main course for me was chicken with mash potatoes.

Very tasty for an in-flight meal.

After the meal I was able to sleep for about five hours, which was unusual. I suppose I was really tired. Woke up and watched a couple of shows on the IFE and played some Sudoku before another meal was served about two hours before landing.

A serving of Chinese porridge with salad and fresh fruits. Not my type of breakfast but it was OK.

We landed at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei on time. Quickly found the transit area where there was a long line of people waiting for security check. After about half an hour we completed the security check process and headed over to the assigned gate for our flight to Hong Kong. This time we had to take the shuttle bus to the plane parked at the remote area. While waiting at the gate, we took the opportunity to freshen up a little. I am sure we looked horrible after the long overnight flight. 

Waiting for the shuttle bus at the gate downstairs.

On the plane. This time we were seated near the middle of the plane, the last row in the main cabin.

"Welcome On Board"

They served a decent refreshment even on this short flight. Smoked turkey salad, cake, and a pack of snack. Much better than the hot pockets served on Cathay.

Arrived at Chek Lap Kok Aiport in Hong Kong.

It was quick and easy for me to go through immigration using my HK ID card. Just a quick swipe and fingerprint, I was out in a couple of minutes. MOR, on the other hand, had to wait in that long line. We had planned on him to apply for the eChannel once he went through the actual immigration process, using his Cathay frequent flyer membership card. Unfortunately, that office which is located right behind the immigration booths even though it was opened but no one was stationed inside that morning. They have made it so much easier for travelers to access eChannel by allowing people with frequent flyer status apply for the privilege. Only if they are available when needed.

Our bags were already waiting for us next to the carousel since it took him that long to come out. We then stopped at the Airport Express counter to purchase our train tickets and the octopus card before getting out to the arrival hall. MOR turned 65 last year and he is now qualified for the elderly concessions on almost all public transportation in Hong Kong. A senior octopus card proofed to be very handy and economical. For the Airport Express though, instead of getting a senior rate and a regular fare, the clerk suggested getting the group rate for two which would be cheaper and that was what we paid for our one way trip to Kowloon Station that morning. I must say that the staff there was very helpful and courteous.

I just loved the Airport Express in Hong Kong. It's such a quick and easy way to get from the airport into the city. It's a little more expensive than the airport buses but quite worth it if your destination is served by one of their complimentary shuttles. Following the well-marked signs, we took a short walk from the arrival hall to the train platform and boarded the train.

Inside the Airport Express.

Platform at the airport.

After we arrived at Kowloon Station, we boarded the K3 shuttle which took us to our hotel, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong TST, which is the second stop on this route. One problem with the shuttles is that getting the luggage on and off the bus is not an easy task, and don't expect any help from the driver either. 

Interesting building!

Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui

This is our third time here at this hotel. The location of this hotel made this my favorite choice when we are in Hong Kong. It is right above the K 11 mall and the Tsim Sha Tsui subway station with Nathan Road just a block away. There are many restaurants and shops in the vicinity just a short walk away. Being a platinum member of the Hyatt chain does not get us into the lounge when using our annual free nights, but who needs lounge access when there are so much to do in town anyway? 

We were definitely too early when we checked into the hotel. Fortunately, they were able to upgrade us to a harbor-view room on the 19th floor which was ready if we didn't mind being on a smoking floor. We were taken up to the room to see if the smoke condition is acceptable and found that it was fine. They also put in an air-purifier during our three-day stay there. All was well! Thanks to Ruby, our host and check-in person at Hyatt Regency HK, TST for all the arrangements!

What a view from our window!

Room was quite spacious and comfortably appointed.

Playing with the "Handy" cell phone that the hotel provides.

After settling in and luggage brought up by the concierge we headed out for lunch. One of the local dishes that we crave for is roast goose, which we are not able to find in California. I have read about this one-Michelin star restaurant in Wanchai that specialized in roast goose and that was where we headed. It was easy taking the subway to cross the harbor. After we got off, just a couple of blocks away from the Wanchai station.

We arrived before noon and there was a line formed outside the restaurant already. After getting our number, we joined the others outside waiting for our turn to get in. We were in line for about half an hour before being called inside to share a small table with two other customers. It's definitely a cramped space but nobody seemed to mind.

Waiting in line for lunch.

This place is called Kam's Roast Goose (226 Hennessy Road, Wanchai) an offspring of the famous Yung Kee's Restaurant.

They had the set meal during lunch which included a plate of roast goose with rice, soup or a drink and a choice of appetizer for HKD $72, less than USD $10 each. That's exactly what we ordered. A cheap Michelin meal indeed.

Oops! Forgot to take pictures of our appetizers.

House soup of the day.

It was a wonderful, delicious lunch after a long day traveling with airplane food. I was going to do some exploring but we were kind of tired. Seeing that the Immigration Department was nearby, we walked over there to inquire about the eChannel application and it was done in less than 10 minutes. Quite efficient, I'd say. From now on, MOR can use the eChannel machines when going through immigration at the Hong Kong airport instead of getting into that long line.

Then, we took the subway back to Kowloon and had a restful afternoon inside our hotel room. It was definitely nice to have arrived half a day early to give us the extra time here in the city.

Bought some egg-tarts as afternoon tea from the famous Honolulu Coffee Shop (176-178 Hennessy Road, Wanchai). I can have these everyday if I don't have the health problems.

I don't think we did much that afternoon. After the much needed rest, we got out in the evening to look for dinner. There is a tiny Chiu Chow noodle place around the corner called Kai Kee Noodle (15-19 Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui) which we have tried a couple of times before and that was where we ended up for a simple dinner that evening.

MOR had the won ton noodle...

and I had the fish cake and fish ball rice noodle.

Fried squid balls, delicious!

"Chicken Roll", meh!

Not a very good picture of the Victoria Harbor at night.