True to its tourism boards message. I loved every bit of Hong Kong from the streets, sights to shopping every bit of it. From the very moment that I got a glimpse of hong kong I was trilled at the sight of the island airport. A man made marvel truly amazing. The blue water on one side and the cable cars inching slowly to the summit on the other side made for the most beautiful sights to be greeted with. I really think that Hong Kong adventure begins at the airport itself. From the aero bridge to the immigration we had to take a small train that itself should be an indicator of how big the airport truly is. From the Airport to our hotel I had opted for the local bus service instead of the very expensive Airport Express that drops you only at the stations and then you need to change to another line for for your hotel or take the bus. Oh yeah before that I would strongly recommend anyone traveling to Hong Kong to buy the Octopus at the airport first and then begin the journey. Its one of the best things that you will find in Hong Kong. From Lantau Hills to Sha Tin in New territories it took about 30 Mins or may be less or more I was so intrigued by the sights around that I could not keep track of time truly. The Buildings in Lantau hills seemed that it would stretch and touch the clouds above any minute. The traffic seemed very disciplined and organized with Buses sticking to their lanes and cars zipping by. I wish we learned some discipline and sense from them while planning our roads. Oh I should mention even for the cops to check cars or setup a check post on the highways they had created ramps with provision for the cops to park their vehicle. A simple but definitely an excellent addition to the highways to allocate a place for the cops.
We had reserved a riverview room at the Regal Riverside Hotel. I must say that the entrance to the hotel was not what I had expected but surely grand as most of the places are. I really will have to search for adjectives for the all the sights.Our Room was on the 9th Floor overlooking the river 943. For both Khushi and me this was a much needed holiday and time for us to connect with each other as we had first met. The room presented with it the most romantic sight and setting we could have asked for overlooking the river. What do I tell you about the river itself its certainly not what I would associate with in India. The river was very well walled and adorned with walkways on both sides of it for people to enjoy the river. I really am all ga ga over the fact that this city has so much respect for nature, life and all its limitations. The walkways were wide and clean with lot of provisions and benches for people to sit around if they were tired. There was a alley provided for people to bike, skate around and children to play. A hockey, basketball court, a play area adorned almost every corner of the city. I loved the fact that the city planners gave so much emphasis on making sure that the children, the young and the adult have so much to do in and around the place that they stay. We started our day in the afternoon after good rest or atleast I thought we had a good rest before we start exploring. I didnt have an Itinerary for the tour wanted to take it as the days came along. We decided to go to the peak and see Hong kong from top. We started at the HQs of HSBC the buildings around it were reaching for the sky. Jaguars and Mini Coopers oh what a sight..
The Peak tram was our next stop and I recommend that you definitely take this tram. Its a slow but most beautiful climb to the top of the hill. At almost 30 Degrees it feels as if your own weight would crush your spinal cord but the sights are just too splendid to even think about it. Our train stopped in the middle of the climb guess it was the mid point suggesting that even the train was tired after the steep climb. Everyone around me seemed to be enthralled by the sight around it. This tram station itself was in building and did not look anything like a station. You realize its a station and a climb awaits you only when you get inside. The location itself is such a surprise there are these towering building all around you and in the backdrop you see a hill but not once do you feel that there is a hill and on that is the best view that you will get to look at Hong Kong. The Tram parks itself at the bottom of an iconic building that almost hangs over the cliff to give you peak into the city. We went all the way to the top of the building it was cold and the clouds were rushing past us and it was such a relief and the sight ahead was so enchanting. The big buildings almost matched the hills and played a symphony of light for us. The clouds would clear every now and then giving us this splendid peak into the city. We walked around leisurely savoring the cold winds and the romantic setting of the building.
We headed to the ladies market from top of the hill we decided to take the bus back this time to come down instead of the tram. The ladies market is a bustling shopping area and offers a lot of good discount deals and unlinke what you would imagine this market has a lot of bargains to offer for the bags, skirts and tops and jeans that you would like but HK is expensive very expensive. The people are very well dressed and I felt conscious about what they wear. No one seemed to be wearing the same kind of clothes though black was the most popular color but the shades of black and accessories were endless. I have never seen so many options for everyone. People looked very very fashionable. This night market got us walking quiet a bit and we were exhausted and decided to call it the night only at 1. The city never looked like it would call it the night though. Oh yeah the funny thing is we got lost on our way back to hotel from the station. Hong kong is a funny maze of walkways all interconnect all running from one building to the other. It felt as though you could see the entire city walking on these walkway grids without having to set foot on the street. Finally we did manage to get on the street and get a cab to our hotel. Our long but memorable first day came to an end. My wifey had warned me not to wake her up in the morning unless she wants to but the sales guy that I am sold her the idea to push herself to explore the city. My sweetheart too knows my love for it and gave me what I was looking for.
Day 2
