Walking, Eating and Hong Kong After Dark
The serious eating began on our second day with a booked foodie walking tour. Yesterday was a big day, we both hit over 20 000 steps and 36hrs plus without sleep. We did though see The Avenue of Stars, wander Nathan Road and find the Temple Street Markets..
This should provide a proper introduction to Hong Kong’s food culture, taking us beyond the obvious tourist stops and into local eateries, markets and family-run businesses. We are hoping for plenty of stories, plenty of flavour and perhaps a few dishes we would never have been brave enough to order on our own.
We have been advised to arrive hungry. Thanks for the tip, Clarissa!
Challenge accepted.
Research. Important, delicious research.
After several hours of walking and eating, there may be a brief period of recovery before we head out again for the Night Bus Lights Tour. Someone said the hotel has a pool, I feel the obligatory foot shot coming on. Tragedy! No bloody pool, who booked this place! Oh that would be me, major error, oh well Da Nang will make up for it! They used to have a pool, but now closed 🤷♂️
Day 2, part 2…
Okay so we’re back from our Food Tour with Secret Food Tours and wow did we get some amazing food. Our itinerary included;
Beef brisket with the best broth made from secret family recipe and chewy noodles (queuing is expected) from a place where locals travel across districts for a bowl. We were first in line on what was a private tour with just Helen and I. Sister Wah did not disappoint, if you’re in HK, check this place out. Next stop was a dining feast of roast goose and plum sauce. After a detour through the local wet market and some fresh some seasonal fruits we dropped into at a local “Tea & Milk Tea” shop to experience a local sweet and tea. The milk tea is sweetened with condensed milk and poured through ‘pantyhose’ to add body by a tea master. The accompanying pineapple bun features no pineapple but is a delicious combination of two different doughs loaded with lashings of butter, absolutely devine! We then staggered to the Tin Hau Temple bellies loaded, after the temple stop, our last stop featured a feast of varieties of dim sum and jasmine tea.
We’re now recovering at our hotel after a ding-ding tram adventure that put the rattle back into the ride, and a stroll to Central Pier to ride the Star Ferry back to Kowloon. The ride home was punctuated by a cold beverage at a bar near our hotel. Mala Mia is a friendly place with harbour views and great drinks.
Hong Kong after dark promises to be a completely different experience, later on we head out on a night bus tour. From the upper deck of the bus, we should have a wonderful view of Kowloon’s illuminated streets, towering buildings and famous nighttime energy. It will also give our feet a well-earned rest after the food tour.
Bright lights, busy streets and a city that does not appear particularly interested in going to bed—it should be a memorable way to finish our second day. Oh and maybe a nightcap at Mala Mia…
Hong Kong after dark—best viewed from upstairs, preferably after dinner.