My first time in China was my visit to Hong Kong and Macau in 2009. My first impression was the Hong Kong was so rainy and gloomy. It rained 9/10 days I was there however it was pretty warm. We stayed on the Kowloon side. The hotels were very expensive and our room was super small. Most of the pictures are too big but I'm lazy right now to resize them.
Every morning we would go to McCafe. It's McDonald's version of Starbucks. It was cute with couches and nice seating. I find McDonald's overseas look so much nicer than back in the states. On their menu I remember they served noodles and other different food.
The Avenue of Stars is a nice place to be since the skyline of Hong Kong is the view. Too bad it was so cloudy. It's sort of a replica of the Hollywood Walk of Fame paying tribute to Hong Kong film stars such as Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.
My little brother, Kevin posing like Bruce Lee.
The view from the Avenue of Stars, it looks like a backdrop. It is locates on northern side of Victoria Harbour, in front of the New World Centre at Tsim Sha Tsui.
At night they have a light show called a Symphony of Light. There are 44 skyscrapers and landmarks that light up and go along with the music. It is an interactive light and music show that shows off the glamorous view of the city!
We took a train to Lantau Island near the Hong Kong International airport.
Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the Big Buddha, is a large bronze statue of a Buddha Amoghasiddhi and was the world's tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha prior to 2007. It takes 240 steps to get the Buddha which sits on a lotus.
We went to Macau which is on the mainland of China. We took a 1 hour ferry boat ride. Macau is seen as the Las Vegas of China with many hotels and casinos.
Macau has Portuguese influence which is why the buildings look European. The Ruins of St. Paul is one of Macau's famous landmarks.
We went to Ocean Park. It reminds me of Sea World. We rode a cable car and saw a lush view.
Another place we hung out was Causeway Bay. There are lots of department stores and market ways. There's this street scene were young people are performing and dancing. It's quite entertaining.
My last and favorite place is the Modern Toilet restaurant. We walked it and were very amused with the toilet theme setup. The chairs are actual porcelain toilets and shower heads are hung on the walls. It's so unique. The walls are like shower walls as well. The food is served in bathroom themed dishes. The ice cream shaped as a poop was cute. The food tasted okay, nothing too impressive but you go there for the unique atmosphere. This restaurant is based in Taiwan actually. I would go here again just for laughs!
This concludes my highlights of Hong Kong. We went to other places but the pictures are not so nice from the weather such as the Victoria Peak overlooking Hong Kong. Hong Kong has a nice variety of people and the food is good. I actually learned how to use chopsticks here because I was forced to or else use my hands. My favorite place to shop Mong Kok there's trendy clothes but not that good quality. Hong Kong was the first place I felt a city pulse and the city lights amazed me.
Sincerely,
Shortkake
