Hello Hongkong!
Hello Hong Kong!

So we were pretty psyched to go to Hong Kong. Truth be told, my family and I have not taken a holiday together ever since my sister got married, 3 years ago. What better opportunity than my father’s birthday? Which happened to coincide with the Zee Cine Awards. Which happened to be in Macau. But first stop, Hongkong!

On Route: Hmmm… first impression of Jet Airways – not that great. After going through our gate we were made to walk down a dimly lit staircase and right out onto the tarmac. Yes, the tarmac. Talk about security being tightened huh? We live in a post 26/11 world people. We were then put on a rickety bus, without AC, and driven around for 25 minutes. Was it worth it? Hell ya! Check out their Business Class. And the flight is only 5 hours (damn!)

Jet Airways Business Class
Jet Airways Business Class

Touchdown HONG KONG! The last time I came here, which my sister was very quick to remind me, was 20 years ago. Yes, it’s changed. Sorta reminds me of Times Square in a way…what do you think? Queen’s Central; hub of shopping for the tourists. My one & only stop H&M. And then some…

Queens Central in Hongkong. Any resemblance to Times Square?
Queens Central in Hong Kong. Any resemblance to Times Square?
Kermit puppet-show in a store window (don't miss the dragon drummer!)
Kermit puppet-show in a store window (don’t miss the dragon drummer!)
Flower pots that line all the streets
Flower pots that line all the streets
Only in Hongkong
Only in Hong Kong
Lan Kwai Fong - the party street
Lan Kwai Fong – the party street
A residential building - cool huh?
The Bank of China
It's the Year of the Dragon
It’s the Year of the Dragon

Next stop, Kowloon, the 5thAvenue of Hongkong. To summarize it, I would say… neon. That’s pretty much what came to my mind when we took the ferry over. Because Chinese New Year was around the corner, everything was lit up – flashing lights, Chinese Santa’s, the whole works.

The ferry ride to Kowloon
The ferry ride to Kowloon
Welcome to Kowloon
Welcome to Kowloon
The 3G building lit up for New Year's
The 3G building lit up for New Year’s
Even the escalator's were lit up for New Years
Even the escalator’s were lit up for New Years

We ventured into the night market at Temple Street, hoping to pick up some hardcore Chinese knock-off’s but unfortunately, it was over when we got there. Though the street-food vendors were still open for business.

Street food (am hoping the cat wasn't on the menu too!)
Street food (am hoping the cat wasn’t on the menu too!)
India is taking over the world...one restaurant at a time
India is taking over the world…one restaurant at a time

Also, check out these wishing trees – story goes that it’s a Chinese tradition around New Years – you buy a tag, write down your wish & tie it to the tree. Wanna know what I wished for? Sorry – if I tell, it won’t come true…

A traditional Chinese wishing tree
A traditional Chinese wishing tree

When in Hongkong, do what the Chinese do right? The Lunar Market – think Crawford market but on the street; only difference is that people were on Ecstasy. Or something for sure. From shark-finned bags to claw-shaped gloves, to everything Angry Bird-related, an experience I would definitely recommend to any first-time visitors.

The Lunar New Year Fair
The Lunar New Year Fair
How cute are these pillows?
How cute are these pillows?

Follow that with the tram ride through the city and I guarantee, you will be planning your next visit before you board the flight back home. I did.

The tram
The tram
Overpacked, did we?
Overpacked, did we?
Bye-bye Hongkong
Bye-bye Hongkong