When booking the return flight from Japan, we were offered the option of a connecting flight from Hong Kong. Instead of a few hours layover we arranged to stay in HK for three nights. We had planned to go to HK back in 2020 with friends, covid put paid to that. It was too good an opportunity to miss and an excuse to extend the trip by three nights. We had three full days in Hong Kong, enough time to explore the key sights.
The hotel was on HK Island, therefore the perfect place to start. We took the MRT and tram up to The Peak. Enjoyed the views over the Island and across the water to Kowloon. We took the bus back down the hill and got off at Central Waterfront. Walked along and found the ferry for the following day. Headed back inland and took the Central Levels Escalator, the longest covered escalator in the world. Did a bit of window shopping before heading back to the hotel.
Caught the famous Star Ferry (which has crossed Victoria Harbour for over 100 years) over to Kowloon, paid for the fare on a card and only realised when we looked later that the tickets were 40p each! Walked along the Avenue of the Stars to find the Bruce Lee statue and get a photo. On our way to find the Time Ball, we passed by the Peninsula Hong Kong, opened in 1928, it is still a hotel today. Next up was the Time Ball Tower, a historical landmark that provided time signals to ships, the ball dropping at 1pm daily. We visited a another time ball tower in New Zealand at Lyttleton. The streets were fascinating and a photographers dream. We visited both Ladies market and Temple Street night market, so much to see and our eyes were everywhere.
At dusk the view across the river to HK island was spectacular, the billboards and buildings lit up and a traditional junk sailing up the river. It’s red sails glowing.
Fortunately the hotel allowed us a late check out, the flight wasn’t until 11pm. We headed out in the afternoon to pick up a few souvenirs and some emergency supplies as M had woken up with toothache. Great timing just before a fourteen hour flight.
In the blink of an eye we landed at Heathrow, where we’d excitedly flew out to India 179 days earlier. Ten countries and 50,143 miles later we’d achieved our long planned/talked about dream.
Now to save and plan for the next one.