13 May 2010
Sha Tin and Mong Kok
Weather in Hong Kong is perfect today. I was worried it would be too hot and humid but its only about 25 and I am not really noticing the humidity.
On the recommendation of someone on the internet, Sha Tin is a good place to go. After finding it on the train map I realised it was further north and on a different train line to any I have been on before, so it is a good place to go.
Once you get there you arrive in a massive complex of malls (like most of Hong Kong), but its literally on the edge of the urban area. Strangely, the main feature of the mall is snoopy world, pictorial evidence below.
Nearby is a temple of 10,000 Buddhas, I didnt plan to go here but saw signs and decided it might be off in the wilderness. It sort of was, its on the side of a big hill and up a lot of stairs. The very top was closed and also the avenue with 100's of Buddha statues seemed closed off as well, but it was still fun to walk up and look at all the people praying and burning incense.
Afterwards I went back to Mong Kok on the train and had to take some work calls, but I did have dumplings for lunch in a nice food court then wander around Mong Kok for a bit.
Shenzhen visa situation remains unclear! One of two border crossings is closed for everyone but China residents. If you get mistaken for an American applying for a visa they will detain you for hours!
This coffee is absolutely enormous. The mug is the size of a soup bowl. Came from Pacific Coffee which is the Hong Kong local chain which I quite like.
I like this picture a lot, I think it sums up Hong Kong. Big apartment buildings with stuff hanging out the windows, and a busy colorful market at street level.
The strange concept of Snoopy World at the shopping centre which joins onto Sha Tin station.
The buddha monestary has a turtle pond. Click to view bigger, its full of turtles!
Buddha.
Various female buddhas.
Monkeys! I didnt see any, I was on high monkey alert after seeing a monkey trap.
After seeing a turtle pond a fish pond dissapoints slightly, but the size and color variation is impressive.
Here is where I had lunch, note only chinese menu available.
Pork and chicken mince dumplings in beef broth with noodles. So basically every kind of meat in one bowl. The glass contains warm soy milk which I do not like. Soy milk is now officially bad for you and in Australia theres numerous cases of it attacking peoples bones! Go look it up, happened to some famous football players.
Inflatable world, theres a store for everything in Hong Kong.
The terrifying Durian (on the left), which smells like everything disgusting at the same time.