Hong Kong

12 - 17 Dec 2017   
We landed in Hong Kong from Darwin at midnight, to be met by our super-host Sarah “Kiwi” Hogg.

Weds 13
Waking up the next morning to the incredible views from the Hogg’s lovely house on The Peak was a great start to our 4 day break here.        

Archie, their youngest son, arrived the next morning from the UK, and we all bundled into Kiwi’s Mini convertible and had a guided tour of the island. I had forgotten quite how mad it is in Hong Kong - with incredible buildings and overt wealth; Archie and I counted 50 Teslars in about 2 hours!

We wandered through the fun village of Shek-O, watched the ‘opera’ being performed, and had a Thai lunch to keep up our energy for the afternoon’s introduction to Stanley market.

Shek-O opera

Shek-O washing!

The big excitement was Annie arriving at 5pm; Jess and I were so excited to see her!  At 6pm Sarah and Archie departed for Christmas in Queenstown, and we had a quiet supper cooked by the wonderful Ronnie. Rupert Hogg made a late night appearance from the office - so lovely to catch-up, albeit briefly. Rupert was to fly on Friday to catch-up with the rest of his family in Queenstown.

Thurs 14
I went for a jog around The Peak to get my bearings, and after breakfast we all walked from the house around The Peak on Luggard Road; stunning views.

Hurray - Annie has joined us in HK!!

We took the Peak Tram down, wandered around the Botanical Gardens, and then made our way to Central where we sought out the best dim sum in town at the vast Maxim’s Palace, City Hall. Delicious!

Using the excellent MTR, we wooshed across to Kowloon - alighting Mong Kok for the Ladies Market, and then onto the Jade Market via the Tin Hau Temple.

Home for another Ronnie-cooked supper, and collapsed in front of Netflicks.

Fri 15
I ran around The Peak again, then we hopped in a taxi to Shek-O and did the popular Dragon’s Back walk: 1hr30mins - with good views down onto Shek-O village and Tai Tam bay.

Shek-O from Dragon’s Back 

Taxi to Stanley for lunch and a very successful shopping trip in the market, including ski jackets for Ben and Jess!!

Annie headed out for lively night with King’s friends in Lan Kwai Fong, and we met up with James & Suelin Billingham in Staunton Street, Soho. James is my oldest friend, but he’s been in HK for 9 years, and Bangkok before that, and we’ve failed dismally to meet up over the years, so this was a special night, especially as he’s landed a new job and moves back to the UK in February.  Drinks lead to dinner, and then onto Lan Kwai Fong too - but we bailed out much earlier than Annie and her gang!

Jess, James & Suelin

Sat 16
We collected Annie from Cat’s house and went to Pier 4 To catch the 45-min ferry to Sok Kwu Wan on Lamma island. Watching the busy Hong Kong waterways en route is fascinating, with the buzz of myriad ferries, giant container ships and mammoth construction projects.

Sok Kwu Wan 

It’s an easy 1.5 hour walk on a well-marked and busy path across to Yung Shue Wang. Lamma is a calm, tranquil haven from the craziness of Hong Kong city. It’s also the location of an enormous coal & gas fired power station.

We had a very tasty bargain lunch at Tak Restaurant, then caught the ferry back to Central for a spot more shopping.

Back up to The Peak as the sun slid behind the hills, and time to pack and do some Cambodia admin. Tomorrow we fly to Phnom Penh, and the boys join us at the end of the day.

Totally forgot to take any pictures of our superb hosts-in-absentia! Thank you Rupert & Sarah for lending us your amazing house.  A short trip, but a joy to be able to dash around and sample the delights of Hong Kong, and then retreat up The Peak to the sumptuous oasis of No28.