Hong Kong has been a total blast. We've only just left and I'm already itching to go back… next time with empty suitcases and a bigger luggage allowance. The shopping is sooo good!
It's been a bit of a whirlwind visit with 2 days in Wanchai on Hong Kong Island, followed by 2 days at Disneyland. Rosie has really loved “Gong Kong”, especially looking out the window of our hotel room at all the cars zooming around on the Blade Runner-esq flyovers. It's a lot busier than what she has been used to in semi-rural Bali.
Various fowl for sale in a street market.
Hong Kong spoils you in two departments - dining and shopping, and we did lots of both. I first came to Hong Kong on a family vacation at the age of four, and I can clearly remember going to Toys R Us. Amazingly, I can even remember some of the toys we bought! To honor that happy childhood memory, we took Rosie to the same store for her first toy buying experience. She's currently infatuated by lights, balls and cars, and she chose these awesome bouncy light-up balls to take home.
We also discovered this divine children's store. Dirty Bunny is Rosie’s comfort toy, and despite our best efforts he occasionally gets lost. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to get a backup bunny. Thankfully for us, Rosie doesn't discriminate based on fur color or size. She chose this cute little guy, and they're already madly in love.
Crispy shrimp rice rolls at Dim Dum Sum in Wanchai.
Although you can find food from every corner of the globe here, for me, dining in Hong Kong is all about Cantonese cuisine and Dim Sum. Highlights included the seafood and truffle steamed dumplings at Dim Sum: The Art of Chinese Tidbits, and the crispy shrimp noodle rolls at Dim Dim Sum. We also had some excellent roasted goose and incredible barbecued pork at Yung Kee; the meal felt a bit overpriced, but the goose did hold up to its reputation as some of the best on the island.
Tin Hau Temple in Causeway Bay.
The streets of Hong Kong are so busy and bustling, it's just a blast to walk around. We happened upon a street strung with red lanterns as far as the eye could see, street markets galore, and beautiful temples.
And then there was Disneyland. As some readers may know, Rosie was conceived on Valentine's Day at Disneyland in California… so the happiest place on earth has a very special place in our hearts! We stayed at the Disney Explorers Lodge, and got a 2 day pass to the park. It was just as magical as we'd hoped.
Rosie and Justin both in awe of the magic of the "It's a small world" ride at Disneyland.
When we were checking out of our hotel in Wanchai, I noticed that loads of numbers were missing from the elevator. In this particular instance the floor numbers that were omitted were 4, 13, 14, and 24. In Cantonese, the number 4 sounds like the word for "death". Similarly, 14 sounds like "will die", and 24 sounds like "easy to die". The number 13 is just generally unlucky. I'd forgotten about Chinese superstition, and this was a fascinating reminder.
Until next time Hong Kong!