Hong Kong Island (香港島), Hong Kong // 2015

Hong Kong was a country on it's own until year 1997. Now, Hong Kong is a part of China, but still runs on it's own government, currency and everything else. They compete as it's own country in the Olympic Games. Then, when you get to Hong Kong, there's Hong Kong Island and Hong Kong Mainland. The locals refer to that island part of Hong Kong as 'Hiong Kong' which is literally 'Hong Kong' in Cantonese, without mentioning the 'Island'. The whole country including the mainland and island, is also 'Hiong Kong'. 

Confuse enough? Haha.

Anyway, this is where Hong Kong CBD is located. All the popular buildings they always feature in TVB or any Hong Kong movies are located here. For example, the Bank of China Building, and the Convention Centre.

Causeway Bay 銅鑼灣

Dim sum is a Cantonese thing and so you gotta eat it when you go Hong Kong. We went to Star of Canton. It looks like a rather upscale place so I was a bit worried about burning a big hole in my pocket, look at the tea cup and saucer....so pretty! But the price turns out to be pretty reasonable. The non pastry items were pretty good, but I think what we have in Malaysia can be as good, except that they have some items that we don't get it here. We also ordered a goose feet noodle, that was very bland. However, one thing for sure...Hongkies really really know how to get their pastries right. That one, we no fight lah. 

Star of Canton 利寶閣
21/F, Lee Theatre Plaza, 99 Percival Street, Causeway Bay. Open 11am - 4pm, 6pm - 11pm 
By MTR, take the Island Line to Causeway Bay Station, Exit A. Cross the road to Lee Theatre Plaza building right opposite.

Coincidentally there were some family day event going on at Victoria Park. It was really nice to see a park full of parents and children spending the day having fun in various activities that doesn't involve any electronic devices. 

Western District 西環

The only two places that we went back to eat for the second time were Mak's Noodle, and this - claypot chicken rice. They serve hotpots and rice with dishes too, but we didn't bother to try, because all we wanted was the claypot chicken rice. 

They have lots of varieties of claypot rice, but the chicken is soooooo good. They serve you the rice, with chicken (or whatever you chose) and vegetables in the claypot, and then they'll bring you a bowl of soy sauce. Not plain soy sauce of course, but a bowl of goodness. When you put in the soy sauce, you can hear sizzles...  and that marks the start of an awesome meal.

Monkey Tips: They have many variety of claypot rice, but you must try the 'smooth chicken' version. The chicken itself is very tasty and tender. Eventhough the shop opens till late, the claypot rice is only available untill about 9-ish. So, get there early.

Kwun Kee Claypot Rice 坤記煲仔小菜 
Shop 1, Wo Yick Mansion, 263 Queen’s Road West, Western District. Open 11am - 12.30am Mon - Sat, 6pm - 12.30am Sun.
By MTR, take the Island Line to Sai Ying Pun Station. At Exit A, turn right and walk straight till you see McDonalds on your right which is a corner lot. The shop is in the lane between Wo Yick Mansion and McDonalds. (Kwai Heung Street)

Along the way in between the MTR Station and Kwun Kee Claypot Rice shop, there's this wall...and this cat. 

Sheung Wan 上環 

H got a lil' sick after a very cold night the day we went to Lamma Island, and Avenue of Stars at night (but it's totally his own fault because he refuse to bring even a thin jacket, and that night turns out to be very windy and cold). But here, at Sing Heung Yuen, you gotta order this drink called 'Ham Leng Chaat' which directly translates to 'salty lemon 7 Up'. But......yah, they use Sprite instead of 7 Up here. Mebbe it sounds weird to call it 'Ham Leng Sprite' that's why they just maintain with 'Ham Leng Chaat' despite using Sprite. Anyway, whether it's Sprite or 7 Up, it's lemon flavour variety, not the regular Sprite or 7 Up. The lemons are preserved lemon. (When we were at Kam Wah Cafe in Mong Kok, CS ordered this drink but it was with preserved lime served with 7 Up).
Back to H, so at first he felt regret for ordering a cold drink while being sick. But this drink, got him from being regret, to regret no more.....to I want more!
The other signature dishes here are the Tomato Beef Noodle and Crispy Bun. I love the Crispy Bun!

Sing Heung Yuen 勝香園
2 Mei Lun Street, Central. Open 8am - 530pm Mon - Sat, Sun closed.

Monkey Tips: This place is very popular among locals as well as tourists. If possible, avoid going there during lunch time as queue can be very long. We got there around 3.30pm, no queue at all! (but a big group came after us, and started forming a short queue again :P)

As we walked leisurely around Sheung Wan, we came across this group of elderly men spending the afternoon hanging out with friends, playing ......ermm....actually we didn't walk near enough to see exactly what they were playing. It could be chess, cards, mahjong...I don't know. :P 

Happy Valley 快活谷

The most happening place we've been to throughout this trip gotta be this - the Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday night raceday!

It's like a carnival in there, so many people!

WJ and I checking out the horses, before the race starts.

And then I went on to place my bet on horse #10 - Lyric Ace. 

So I placed a HKD10 bet. Race begins. Gallop...gallop...gallop.... Lyric Ace won! Wheeeeeee!!!!
Went to the counter to claim my prize. Payout HKD15.50. What!!?? That means my nett profit was HKD5.50, not even enough for me to buy a stick of curry fish balls (-___-").

Don't gamble your life away yo!

Monkey Tips: Races usually happens on Wednesday nights, but sometimes on weekends too. It's best to check the race schedule on their website before planning your trip there. 

Happy Valley Racecourse 跑馬地馬場
2 Sports Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong Island
Get on the Happy Valley Tram and alight at the end of the line, and walk across to go towards the main entrance. 

Later that night, I ate curry fish balls anyway....and siew mai...and octopus....