Rewind: Hong Kong Time

Prior to my arrival in London, I made a week long sojourn in Hong Kong in order to reacquaint myself with my roots. Hong Kong with a population of 7 million people is a cosmopolitan city that is all hustle and bustle. It's evident when you walk down the streets and walkways are at least 10 abreast. From the troupe of high school girls giggling with bubble tea in hand, the scurrying businessman hailing to catch a cab, or the old lady toiling behind a the monstrous cart filled with a mountain paper/cardboard waste, all these people are the many faces of Hong Kong.

I'm not quite sure what it is that draws me to Hong Kong. Maybe it's the frenetic energy and fast pace the city operates around the clock. Conversely, there are numerous satellite islands that one can visit to kick back and enjoy the slower pace these sleepy towns operate at.
Then there is the smorgasbord of cuisines from all corners of the world to cater for the epicurean. If the fiery Bangladesh / Nepalese curries won't sate the demanding taste buds, there is always fired pig intestines married with a sour and chilli oil or the infamous fried tofu - it reeks of a thousand dirty socks and can be smelt a 100 metres away!

The real attraction about Hong Kong is the diversity in services/entertainment that this tiny city has to offer. There is the corner store(literally hugs a corner) that sits beneath Soho Staircase which operates as a newsagency but also sells the most amazing tofu dessert, the seemingly dodgey diners around every back alley which offer tasty and cheap meals (3 AUD dollars) and finally the plethora of restaurants offering Yum Cha. At the other end of the scale, there is the ultra chic entertainment quarter in Lan Kwai Fong(LKF). This small district have a pumping atmosphere where locals and expats mingle, play dice games and party away to the early hours... and that is on a Monday night!



Some select pics. More can be seen here.

Mong Kok - A shoppers haven for fashion, electronics and the occasional goldfish.


A moment of silence - I find it a amazing when you can find a spot in the metropolis where there is no one.


Old Ladies - From what i understand, these old ladies take a donation from you and proceed to smack out your inner ghosts and transgressions that are recorded on these holy papers.


Tofu Dessert - It's a refreshing snack served hot or cold with a blend of caster sugar and crystalised ginger . One of the silkiest and smoothest tofu you can get in town by my books and all for $2 AUD. I got through half of this and then realised i should have taken a picture.


Poor Ugly Sidekick Dog