For us, Hong Kong was just a stopover – a few days between the first and second halves of our journey. Nevertheless, we wanted to make the most of our time there and get a feel for the city. Having arrived with no great expectations, we allowed ourselves to drift through narrow streets and past skyscrapers. We took the train up to the Peak and walked through markets, temples and shopping centres.
What follows is not a complete travel guide, but an honest account of our four days in Hong Kong, with everyday moments, surprising insights, and the usual travel chaos.
Day 1 – Our first view of Hong Kong at night
As our plane approaches landing, the deep black of night lies below us. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, the city’s sea of lights breaks through the cloud cover. Hong Kong lies before us, dramatically lit by low-hanging clouds and bright colours. The city seems to glow from within. It’s an almost surreal sight. Spellbound and fascinated, we are glued to the windows as the aeroplane slowly descends.
Our journey continues on the ground as we take an Uber through the city at night. We drive past glass-clad skyscrapers, over bridges, and into the heart of this vibrant metropolis. It’s going to be an exciting few days!
Day 2 – Spectacular Views
The day starts off down to earth: Our laundry urgently needs attention. While the washing machine does its work, we treat ourselves to a few snacks and drinks from 7-Eleven – a ritual that should never be missed when travelling in Asia. Then, smelling fresh, we head to the famous Peak Tram. We let a tram pass so that we can sit right at the front; or actually the back. This proves to be a smart move, as the view during the ride is fantastic: the steep roads winding their way up the mountain like a green tunnel look like something out of a film. Once we reach the top, the Peak Tower awaits us, a labyrinth of shops, restaurants, souvenir shops, and exhibitions that is sure to confuse. Everything flashes and sparkles. The view? Spectacular, even without the paid viewing platform. On one of the freely accessible levels, we drink coffee, eat egg tarts and breathe in the mountain air while looking down on the city, which looks like a postcard.
We take the double-decker tram back down, which is a nostalgic experience with almost the same charm. Finally, hunger leads us to a culinary classic: Ichiran ramen. Memories of Tokyo come flooding back. Slurp, savour and be happy! For dessert, we try a ‘mummy pancake’, which is crispy and warm – a must in Hong Kong!
What a start to our time in Hong Kong! We could see the skyline when we landed yesterday, of course, but the view from the Peak Tower was even more beautiful! The egg tart was interesting. I think we both prefer the Mammy Pancakes, though — we call them bubble waffles!
Day 3 – Between Dumplings and Film Stars
Today, we’re focusing on discovery. We explore Hong Kong on foot, strolling through shopping centres such as the K11 Art Mall. Although we don’t find any art, it’s still worth a visit.
Our hunger drives us to Tim Ho Wan, the legendary dim sum restaurant. The little delicacies taste as expected: heavenly! Afterwards, we stop for a coffee before moving on. We watch people playing on the gaming machines and immerse ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the Ladies Market, with its colourful stalls, shrill shouts and dense crowds.
In the evening, we reach the Avenue of Stars. This is a promenade full of memories of Asia’s film stars. Many of the names mean nothing to us, but of course we recognise Jackie Chan straight away. By the time the famous light show starts, the sky has darkened – not because it is night, but because of the rain clouds. The rain comes suddenly and heavily. However, we don’t let it drive us away; we even find a better spot from which to experience the show, which is colourful, musical and a little kitschy, but charming.
Day 4 – Saying goodbye in the rain
Our last day begins with a cosy, delicious and relaxed breakfast at Halfway Coffee. Afterwards, we head to the Man Mo Temple. It is a place of contemplation, filled with light and smoke. Incense spirals hang everywhere, filling the air with the scent of sandalwood. The atmosphere is calm and almost meditative, a contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city outside.
But Hong Kong has many faces. Next, we visit the Yick Cheong Building, also known as the ‘Monster Building’. This iconic structure is dense and massive, almost claustrophobic. While it may not be beautiful in the classic sense, it is certainly impressive. Last stop: Kennedy Town. It rains briefly, then clears up. From the famous basketball court, you can see the tower blocks, the sea and the street. Carlo waits a long time to take the perfect picture – and it’s worth it.
On the way to the hotel, we are finally caught in the monsoon rain. It’s pouring. We wait, but to no avail. Eventually, we pull ourselves together and walk through the floods from the railway station to the hotel. Dripping wet and still with an injured foot (Sri Lanka sends its regards), we retreat to the hotel toilet, where we change and dry off a little.
Then it’s time to leave. We take the train to the airport. Goodbye, Hong Kong – you were intense, surprising, chaotic and really beautiful.
Sometimes a longer stopover is worth it! Hong Kong has shown us that once again.
Farewell Asia; hello Australia!
After weeks of immersing ourselves in the scents of temples, street food and tuk-tuks, not to mention countless discoveries, our Asian chapter comes to a close in Hong Kong – at least for now. It feels a little unreal.
Asia captivated us right from the start, in so many different and intense ways. In Japan, we were fascinated by the quiet precision and aesthetics; in Thailand, by the chaos of the streets and the food; and in Vietnam, by the energy and intensity. Cambodia touched us with its history and warmth, while Laos captivated us with its tranquillity and unhurried beauty. Sri Lanka allowed us to relax, with its tea plantations and train journeys, and we will take the memory of my (Anna’s) injury with us too. China impressed us with its sheer size – and the Great Wall of China, which stretches endlessly through the hills. Taiwan surprised us with its blend of modernity and tradition, while South Korea amazed us with its pop culture and culinary diversity. In Malaysia, we experienced city and island life, took a diving course, and encountered monkeys up close. Brunei, on the other hand, was quiet and serene. Then then Singapore: sparkling clean, futuristic and almost surreal. Finally, Hong Kong: vibrant, dense, rich in contrasts.
Each of these countries was a separate chapter, yet in our minds they fit together to form a large, multi-layered mosaic. As well as discovering new places, we also discovered a little more about ourselves. With every step, our rucksack became heavier with memories of small encounters, great moments, and the quiet magic that makes travelling so unique.
Our next flight will take us to Melbourne to visit our family there – and to a completely different world. A new continent awaits; a new adventure begins.
