Saturday, May 28, 2011

The Triangle Trip (Hong Kong)

My family had flown to Hong Kong when I was still in Malaysia. I had to burn my first flight ticket because coincidentally, my university interview date fell on the second day of the planned trip! However, I took the risk in booking another flight flying right after the interview. Well, at that time, my only hope to sit the plane was if my interview ended early and I could rush to the airport by afternoon! I was lucky. I was the second to be called into the room and finished it with ample of time to go back home and wait for the taxi. I heard the interview had gone on till evening!

26th & 27th May 2011
It was my first time going to the airport, checking in, and boarding the plane alone. I almost missed the flight despite reaching there early as I took a lot of time having McD at the airport. My bad! When I realised the time, I quickly rushed to the gate. The airport security check-in took quite a while as there were so many people! When I reached the gate to my plane, it had already been opened for a few minutes and everyone had already started walking towards the plane. Since its AirAsia, I count myself fortunate. Really fortunate. Anyway, it felt kind of great to be sitting the aeroplane alone with no one guiding me. I felt independent. Despite the almost-missing-the-flight incident.

It took about 3 hours plus to reach Hong Kong International Airport. When I landed, it was already dusk. My dad was already at the airport, waiting to pick me up. It felt so surreal to see my dad standing amongst the crowd at the exit. It was like my family had already lived in Hong Kong for a very long time and I was just coming back home from overseas.

We sat the airport express [link] to the Central. After that, we sat MTR train to our hotel near Tai Kok Tsui Road. It was already dark when I reached. My mum and brother were very happy to see me. It felt like it had been some time I had not seen them too!

I did not take any photos on that day as the camera was not with me.

On the next day, we went to the junction of Tai Kok Tsui Road to wait for our tour bus. The bus took us for a dim sum breakfast. My first Hong Kong dim sum! We met other tourists who were also on the same tour and ate with them. On the journey, I enjoyed the morning view of Hong Kong. My first view! Many of the places and things I saw were like the ones in Hong Kong dramas and movies!

My first photo in Hong Kong! I look sick here though.
The police vans, like the ones in movies!
Tall buildings!
This part of road looks really familiar too!
The bus that those actors and actresses always sit in dramas!
Old and new buildings. All are people's houses. Hong Kong has a very dense population!
More houses!
The morning road. I don't know why there was no rush hour. Perhaps it was just too early?
A grandmother and her grandson, waiting for the school bus.
THE taxi! The RED HK taxi!
After breakfast, the bus took us to Golden Bauhinia Square (金紫荊廣場) situated at North Wan Chai facing Victoria Harbour. It has a giant statue of a golden Bauhinia. This sculpture is important as it symbolizes the handover of Hong Kong in 1997. The square was where the handover ceremony was held. 

The golden Bauhinia at Golden Bauhinia Square
Victoria Harbour with buildings.
The building where New Police Story was filmed!! Its actually Hong Kong
Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The square
The bus then took us to Aberdeen Harbour (香港仔). It is famous for its floating villages and floating seafood restaurants. Many wealthy people also have boats and yachts anchored here, like Andy Lau, Jackie Chan and Aaron Kwok. Many movies were also filmed at this harbour. The people who live here are called Tanka people. Most of them are fishermen. We toured around the place with a boat manned by aunties.


Dock.
The boat
Noticed this ancient fan and ceiling at the dock.
Behind is the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant. Famous people include Queen Elizabeth,
John Wayne and Tom Cruise had dined here before! Movie spots too!
Hats used by the fishermen here
View at Aberdeen Harbour
Fishermen working.
The "bungalow" at the area.
The smaller boat house of Tanka people
Anchored yachts. There are many rows of them.
We went to Hong Kong Island (香港島) to visit Repulse Bay (淺水灣). This place has one of the highest demand neighbourhoods for real estate. The air is cleaner, and it has a great view. Jackie Chan stays here too. There is a Kwun Yam Shrine at the beach.

Kwun Yam Shrine
Repulse Bay!
Next Post: The Triangle Trip (Shenzhen, China)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Europe Trip (London #3)

15th April 2011
On our last day in London, we went to visit Kensington Palace. The palace is another royal residence. All the important princes live here like Prince George and Prince Harry. Princess Diana used to live here too before she passed away. The palace is open for visitation. To find out more, click here [link]. It is a very relaxing place to be in. We had to walk a stretch of road so we did some shopping along the way.

Whole Food's Market. Kinda different from the markets in Malaysia.
Kensington Palace
Round Pond near the palace.
After that, we visited one of the filming locations of Harry Potter. Diagon Alley in the story is filmed in this place called Cecil Court. Felt so excited to visit! Its like visiting a magical world and reliving the story in real life. I could just imagine myself walking as a witch, searching for the best broom or an owl!

Cecil Court
The National Gallery was our next and final destination! It is situated at the Trafalgar Square. The Gallery is an art gallery, currently housing thousands of paintings dating from mid-13th century to 1900. It has free admission. To find out more about the gallery, you may click here [link].

British red telephone box!
National Gallery
Near Covent Garden.
We went back to our hotel to take our luggage and headed to the airport for our flight back to Malaysia. Overall, this Europe trip gave me one of my best experiences and exposure to the world on the other side. Anything that I have read in books or watched on TV had came into reality in this trip. Indeed, I truly feel blessed to be able to visit these countries and I hope that in the future, I would have the chance to go back again. :)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Europe Trip (London #2)

14th April 2011
After breakfast, we started off towards Buckingham Palace. It is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch. When we reached, the Changing the Guard ceremony took place for about 45 minutes. To get more details on when you can watch, click here [link]. We did not enter the palace though. However, guided tours are available to some certain parts of the palace. To find out more, click here [link].

London Bus
Changing the Guard ceremony in front of the palace with Victoria Memorial in view.
At Buckingham Palace, inside the gates.
With music
Red flowers around the palace. The national flower of London is rose though.
The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk.
The garden near the palace.
We dropped by at the Supreme Court of UK. It was quite cool inside. Not many visitors so we had the court rooms to ourselves! There was no need of entrance fee when we went. However, there might be some changes. To check out more, click here [link].

Abraham Lincoln Statue we saw on the way
The Supreme Court of UK
Queen Elizabeth
One of the courts for visitation
Stairs. Feels like I am in Hogwarts already.
Look at the signature and the handwriting. Loves!
We walked across the street and reached Westminster Abbey. It is a mainly Gothic church with magnificent architecture. We walked in the vicinity of the church. The official website of the church is here [link].


North façade, built in Gothic style.


The west front end

Opposite of the church is the Palace of Westminster. At the north end of the palace is the Big Ben. It is the famous clock tower in London.


Palace of Westminster

Big Ben Tower
We had to fit in many destinations in one day, so we did not walk to see the London Eye. We proceeded towards the Tower Bridge. I had always thought that the Tower Bridge is the London Bridge we had always sung about. The Tower Bridge crosses the River Thames.

Sundial I saw nearby the railway train station.
Riverside view towards Tower Bridge.
First time listen to poetry reading.
A model of the area.
Tower Bridge!
On the bridge
Thames River - night view of London
Where the bridge splits.
Nearby the Tower Bridge is the Tower of London. The Tower Bridge got its name from this Tower of London. It is actually a castle, a grand palace early in the history, which served as a royal residence. For more details, click [here].

Walls surrounding Tower of London

One of the entrance
We went back to Chinatown for dinner. It was not as cold as last night. It was also our last night of the trip!

Chinatown. So happening.
Said to be the famous roasted duck around here! It was not bad.
The Queen's Theatre - Les Mis Broadway!

Next Post: Europe Trip (London #3)