Return to Hong Kong

Macau, China; 5:00 am

We were at the International Ferry Terminal, ticket and passport in one hand and can of cold coffee in the other, waiting for the 7:00 boat to Hong Kong. Driving through Macau doesn't take any time, especially at 5 in the morning, when the city is still dark and sleeping.

the boat to Hong Kong (we took the one on the right)

Even though Hong Kong and Macau are both a part of China, they are allowed semi-autonomy, and each have their own customs and immigration department. As such, you have to exit through immigration in Macau, and enter again in Hong Kong.

breakfast

Just an hour later, though, we had arrived in Hong Kong, just in time for breakfast at a local cafe. After a croissant and a hot cup of tea, we dropped our bags at the hotel and I began leading Pinky around some of my favorite places in Hong Kong. We began, of course, by crossing Victoria Harbour on the iconic Star Ferry.

the Star Ferry

The Star Ferry has been running back and forth across the harbor since 1888. Although there is a subway line that runs from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island nowadays, I still prefer to take the much slower and more scenic ferry. It takes about ten minutes to cross the harbor on the 60 year-old wooden boats, and it's definitely an experience in itself.

a view of Victoria Harbour

In Kowloon, the large mainland part of Hong Kong, we had quite a bit of time to kill before the hotel would be ready for us to check in. First, we took in the blue and grey view of Hong Kong Island from across the harbor...

looking across the harbor from Kowloon

Hong Kong!

... and then we went to the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars. There, you can find the hand prints of Hong Kong's most famous film stars.

Definitely the most famous hand prints in all of Hong Kong!

Then, it was time for lunch. I didn't want to visit Hong Kong without enjoying a cup of classic Hong Kong milk tea, and what better place to have that cup than at Tsui Wah Restaurant! This cool and classic diner chain just celebrated its 50th anniversary.

a cup of world-famous Hong Kong milk tea

I think that their milk tea is top-notch! It's something of a Hong Kong institution.

lunchtime at Tsui Wah Restaurant, Hong Kong

Wandering through Kowloon, we also tried a sweet potato ice cream at the Star Ferry terminal.

sweet potato ice cream!

a junk boat crossing the harbor

In the afternoon, we visited the Hong Kong Space Museum. It was incredible! Nearly every exhibit was interactive, and it was so fun to spend a few hours there. We even saw a movie on the big Omni screen: Norman the Snowman (we were starting to feel a little Christmassy).

Norman the Snowman!

living like an astronaut

The next day, we got to meet up with my old college buddy, Evan! He took us to the Hong Kong Museum of History. The museum was really great, but it was especially great to catch up with a good friend.

at the Hong Kong Museum

At dark, we took the "ding ding" (the city trolley) to watch the Symphony of Lights from across the harbor.

Hong Kong at night

We've got plans to go hiking together in the mountains of Hong Kong in January when I fly back through the city. It's always nice to have a local friend to help you see the "unseen" side of a destination!

watching the Symphony of Lights