Cramped & Crowded V: Hong Kong Hike
On Friday night, we were at a lost where to go the next day. After much deliberation, we decided on the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. A wholesome family activity is it not? LOL. Took the MTR to Lan Kwai Fong, an area full of pubs and clubs. Another salient feature of the place is its topography-- steep gradient! Hiked up to Upper Albert Road and saw no garden in sight. Asked a pinoy waitress:
"Botanical gardens? Not here. Wan Chai. Oh wait. The place with the birds? Up there!"
Goodness! We had to trudge up some more. Seeing us sweat in the cold morning, a taxi driver wound down the wound down his window and told us that there was an easier walk, but since we were already nearly there... might as well continue. I nearly fainted. Turns out that the garden is built on the northern slope of Victoria Peak is 100m above sea level. Being a Saturday, some pinoy maids had their day off and spent it with their friends there. What better way than to have a picnic with friends. Started off at a big fountain. Little Cyan had a field day there. Didn't want to budge. And since we were quite tired from the impromptu hike, we lazed there a while. Later, when we had caught our wind, we explore the other parts of the garden-- the aviary, mammal enclosure and reptile house. And there was free WIFI there too! Such a pleasant surprise.
For lunch, we walked backed down to Central for dim sum, a place called City Hall Maxim's Palace. Finding that place was quite a challenge. It was nestled inside the City Hall with no obvious signage. Had to cross the busy Harcourt Road via a subway that was also fully-occupied by off-day maids. Amazed by how they could just sit on the cold floor playing cards and chatting. Walked into the City Hall Memorial Garden and found four couples getting married that day. They were all out taking photos with their families and friends. Fur seemed to be all the rage. One bride even had a feathered headdress, all done up like the Swan Princess. Inside City Hall, a kid's concert was going on, and it was also milling with people. Goodness. We quickly headed up to the second floor, with just thirty minutes left to order before the kitchen closed for the afternoon.
The restaurant was a complete extreme from what we had experienced in Lin Heung some days before. Crystal chandeliers and heavy drapes. The trolleys actually stopped at your table and the waitress would smile at you and take the time to explain what was available. Whenever you took something, they would say thank you and wished you a good meal. In exchange for such an experience, one had to fork out triple the price. Cyan especially liked the lotus leaf rice. I on the other hand loved their steamed pork ribs-- without over-powering spices. Unfortunately, their crystal skin was too sticky for my liking, making their ha kaw a failure. Their wu kok's filling was white, but quite good. The ham sui kok was also very good, like their tau fu fa. It was great with either ginger soup or brown sugar granules.
Spent some time at Statue Square, right in front of the HSBC Headquarters Building with its many fountains and pinoy maids. Tarried a while before deciding to have a small walk at Granville Street. I did not join the rest for the Arena of Stars show later that night but went off the Admiralty to meet Finnegan instead. Took a walk through Pacific Place and past Mandarin Oriental to a mysterious escalator up The Upper House. Initially felt that he was leading me to some secret location. Yikes. Turns out, we dined at Cafe Gray Deluxe on the 39th floor. Excellent view. Such a generous host. Treated me to a starter of beetroot and bacon and a main of grilled sea bass blood orange vinaigrette with fennel. Food was agreeable with me. But as with all eateries in HK, we were shoo-ed off just after we finished our food!
At least they found us a nice table at the lounge. While everyone else was drinking alcohol, we ordered Earl Grey. LOL. But it was perfect since my throat was acting up. And the funny thing was, they still brought us a plate of pickles. Once again, Finnegan picked my brain on random matters but he was more interested in my impression of Hong Kong. Was glad to complain that the electrifying energy of HK was a bit too much for me. LOL. Yakked and yakked and yakked until about 11:00pm. Used the loo before I left and the view there was breathtaking as well! Wahlau! Finnegan walked me back to the MTR station and bid each other goodbye. A great way to end the night. Being alone, I was able to imitate the locals by rushing through the MTR. By the time I got home, I was sweating underneath my sweater. Huhu. Dunno how Hongkees do it.
P.S.: Sorry that there are no food pics from Cafe Gray Deluxe. The lighting was too ambient, so I did not bother. :(
"Botanical gardens? Not here. Wan Chai. Oh wait. The place with the birds? Up there!"
Goodness! We had to trudge up some more. Seeing us sweat in the cold morning, a taxi driver wound down the wound down his window and told us that there was an easier walk, but since we were already nearly there... might as well continue. I nearly fainted. Turns out that the garden is built on the northern slope of Victoria Peak is 100m above sea level. Being a Saturday, some pinoy maids had their day off and spent it with their friends there. What better way than to have a picnic with friends. Started off at a big fountain. Little Cyan had a field day there. Didn't want to budge. And since we were quite tired from the impromptu hike, we lazed there a while. Later, when we had caught our wind, we explore the other parts of the garden-- the aviary, mammal enclosure and reptile house. And there was free WIFI there too! Such a pleasant surprise.
For lunch, we walked backed down to Central for dim sum, a place called City Hall Maxim's Palace. Finding that place was quite a challenge. It was nestled inside the City Hall with no obvious signage. Had to cross the busy Harcourt Road via a subway that was also fully-occupied by off-day maids. Amazed by how they could just sit on the cold floor playing cards and chatting. Walked into the City Hall Memorial Garden and found four couples getting married that day. They were all out taking photos with their families and friends. Fur seemed to be all the rage. One bride even had a feathered headdress, all done up like the Swan Princess. Inside City Hall, a kid's concert was going on, and it was also milling with people. Goodness. We quickly headed up to the second floor, with just thirty minutes left to order before the kitchen closed for the afternoon.
The restaurant was a complete extreme from what we had experienced in Lin Heung some days before. Crystal chandeliers and heavy drapes. The trolleys actually stopped at your table and the waitress would smile at you and take the time to explain what was available. Whenever you took something, they would say thank you and wished you a good meal. In exchange for such an experience, one had to fork out triple the price. Cyan especially liked the lotus leaf rice. I on the other hand loved their steamed pork ribs-- without over-powering spices. Unfortunately, their crystal skin was too sticky for my liking, making their ha kaw a failure. Their wu kok's filling was white, but quite good. The ham sui kok was also very good, like their tau fu fa. It was great with either ginger soup or brown sugar granules.
Spent some time at Statue Square, right in front of the HSBC Headquarters Building with its many fountains and pinoy maids. Tarried a while before deciding to have a small walk at Granville Street. I did not join the rest for the Arena of Stars show later that night but went off the Admiralty to meet Finnegan instead. Took a walk through Pacific Place and past Mandarin Oriental to a mysterious escalator up The Upper House. Initially felt that he was leading me to some secret location. Yikes. Turns out, we dined at Cafe Gray Deluxe on the 39th floor. Excellent view. Such a generous host. Treated me to a starter of beetroot and bacon and a main of grilled sea bass blood orange vinaigrette with fennel. Food was agreeable with me. But as with all eateries in HK, we were shoo-ed off just after we finished our food!
At least they found us a nice table at the lounge. While everyone else was drinking alcohol, we ordered Earl Grey. LOL. But it was perfect since my throat was acting up. And the funny thing was, they still brought us a plate of pickles. Once again, Finnegan picked my brain on random matters but he was more interested in my impression of Hong Kong. Was glad to complain that the electrifying energy of HK was a bit too much for me. LOL. Yakked and yakked and yakked until about 11:00pm. Used the loo before I left and the view there was breathtaking as well! Wahlau! Finnegan walked me back to the MTR station and bid each other goodbye. A great way to end the night. Being alone, I was able to imitate the locals by rushing through the MTR. By the time I got home, I was sweating underneath my sweater. Huhu. Dunno how Hongkees do it.
P.S.: Sorry that there are no food pics from Cafe Gray Deluxe. The lighting was too ambient, so I did not bother. :(
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