Red Trees in Hong Kong

If you visit Hong Kong in the months of May or June, you are going see sights like these. Red trees everywhere. Being a native Hong Konger, I just can't stop myself behave like a visitor. Today (May 28, 2011) I go to the Victoria Park and take these photos. Hope you like them.

I am trying to take some close up of the flowers, but I'm not a professional photographer. And my camera is not professional also. But if you want to take a good look of the flowers, visit my friend Gao Lao's blog, his flowers are brilliant.

The building behind is Hotel Park Lane. If you want to have a good view of the Victoria Park and the red trees, do book a room with a park view.

Red Trees in motion.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Red Trees at the Victoria Park

Lamma Island Outing and Seafood

If you ever have an afternoon to spend in Hong Kong, what would you want to do? Shopping? Sightseeing at the Peak or Ocean Park or Disneyland? Well I would like to suggest a leisure eco walk combining with a live seafood dinner, which is a 'must' dining experience in Hong Kong.

Lamma Island Outing and Seafood Dinner
Take the 3.15pm ferry from Pier 4 in Central to Lamma Island Yung Shue Wan. If you stay at the Four Seasons or Mandarin Oriental, it is just a 5-10 minutes walk to the Pier. In about 30 minutes, you will arrive at Lamma Island. Take a very scenic walk to Sok Kwu Wan. The route is easy to walk, even you have kids with you. Admire the beautiful landscape and beaches on the way and you will arrive at Sok Kwu Wan between 5.30pm and 6pm, depending on how quick you walk. Enjoy a live seafood dinner and take the 7.35pm ferry back to Central. In about 30 minutes, you are back to Central again. You can still make time to explore Lan Kwai Fong, if you have the energy.

Last Friday, I just went through the above itinerary. Here is a pictorial report of my journey.

On the way, make sure to enjoy the very traditional authentic 'tofu fa' dessert. Hot and cold available at HK$9@

Beautiful landscape around Lamma Island

There are beaches and observations decks where you can take a little rest on the way. When you are about to arrive Sok Kwu Wan, you'll see some fishing sampans.


When you pass by the Tin Hou Temple (Godess of the Sea), you will arrive Sok Kwu Wan in a few minutes. Feel free to visit the temple.


When you pass the temple, you'll see many seafood restaurant lining up along the seafront. Don'f forget to buy some dry seafood souveniors.

Pick a restaurant, sit down and start to pick your favourite live seafood from the tanks.

The restaurants are nearby the sea. Enjoy seaview and breeze while having dinner. Restaurants are generally available. No advance booking required.

OK, here come the dinner: Deep Fried Squid

Lobster

Garoupa duo - meat for stir fried with vegetable

below are the head and bones for steaming

Clams with Garlic and Jelly Noodle

Stir Fried Spicy Crabs

We also had fresh prawns, fried rice, vegetables, desserts and fruits

NOTE: Try to avoid June, July and August which are the hottest months in Hong Kong. October and November are the best months to do this.

Recommended restaurant: Lamma Hilton (You don't have to find it, when you arrive Sok Kwu Wan, you'll see it.)

Dinner expenses all depend on the kind of seafood you choose, but you should budget for at least HK$200 (US$25.6) per person.

More ferry and travel information about Lamma Island

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Lamma Island and Seafood

How to Eat Cheap and Good Food in Hong Kong

Many come to Hong Kong and eat. If that's you, then you need to find out what to eat and how to pay less while enjoy great food here. Eating in Hong Kong doesn't need to be expensive if you can master the time you go and eat. Also some restaurants offer discounts to holders of certain credit cards. In order not to limit your choice of food and at the same time paying less, be sure to ask the waiter when you are settling a bill.

In any case, I don't recommend to eat in 5-star hotels. They are expensive and they don't offer discount. Some 3-star or 4-star hotels do.

What to eat in Hong Kong?
Here are my list of recommendations:
* Live seafood
* Dim Sum
* Buffet
Click the links to view details from my food blog.

Dim Sum - Go for Early and Late Discount
If you are not bond to any schedule, simply avoid the peak hours (generally noon to 2pm, but it varies according to restaurants) and there are lots of advantages of doing so. Many dim sum restaurants offer great discounts beyond hours. Restaurants are less crowded and you will enjoy more intensive customer service. As for dinner, some restaurants offer late night discounts. If you arrive after 9pm (or may be 9.30pm), you will pay less.

Discounted Buffet
Buffet fans must be very happy with the wide range of foods available in Hong Kong. Indian buffet, Italian buffet, Japanese all-you-can eat, international buffet, weekend tea buffet, late night dessert buffet....etc. Again don't go to 5-star hotels. Some 3-4-star hotels are much cheaper and they offer discounts. Some offer early departure discount or one-day advance booking discount. Be sure to check when you make a booking. Generally discounts are applicable on weekdays and not weekends, holidays and festivals.



Note: 10% service charge for fine dining restaurants. No service fee for casual restaurants.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Eating Tips

Hong Kong Botanical Garden

Just went to the Botanical Garden and took a few photos and videos. Weather was good. So it was rare chance to be able to take these photos. At the central fountain, all the most beautiful and famous Hong Kong commercial buildings are served as the backdrop. Enjoy.





I could rarely take such a good video - in terms of weather.
It's really a beautiful day.



I love these ring-tail monkies. The Park noticeboard said that there was a new born baby still under parental care. But I had no luck in seeing the baby.

1911 Revolution at HK Museum of History

Centenary China's 1911 Revolution
Hong Kong Museum of History
March 2 - May 16, 2011

Hey, if you are visiting Hong Kong these days, there is one exhibition I highly recommend. 2011 marks The Centenary China's 1911 Revolution, the epoch-making event that had far-reaching consequences for the fate of Chinese people.

As a matter of history, Hong Kong was under British control since 1842. Therefore it played an important role in the revolution and served as a safe backup place for the reformers. Revolution leader Dr Sun Yat Sin was educated here and established the first revolutionary alliance here.

Celebrating the centenary of the 1911 Revolution, this exhibition showcases 140 sets of exhibits from the Hubei Provincial Museum and other collections as well as historical images, videso and maps to chart this milestone in China's modern history and also highlight the immense contribution that Hong Kong made to the revolution.

Entry fee HK$10 (Free admission on Wednesday)

Hong Kong Museum of History 1911 Exhibition

Watch Soccer Games Online in Hong Kong

The most popular sports games in Hong Kong are horse racing and football. Unfortuantely betting of both are available and managed by the Jockey Club.

The other time when I wrote about horse racing, I offended some animal rights organisation, my apologies.

This time, I try not to offend any anti-gambling organisation. Let me talk about how to watch premier football online in Hong Kong.

At the bars around Lan Kwai Fong in Central, Lockhart Road in Wanchai and the tourist hot spots in Tsimshatsui, large screens presenting live sports games from all over the world are available. These places are usually crowded with sports fans and they all looked very enjoyed watching premier football together with glasses of drinks in hand.

People with a home theatre also do the same by inviting friends to watch soccer games online altogether. I was once invited to a friend's house and he had a 65" flat screen being hooked up to his computer.

I was amazed by the HD quality and the numerous sports channels available. More astonishing was that he didn't even need a satellite dish. He said he made a one-time payment of US$49.95 to download a software. Once he became a member, he received instructions of how to connect his computer directly to his TV set. Strange but true. Check out this website if you want to do the same: Satellite Direct.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Watch Soccer Games Online in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Chinese New Year 2011

Hong Kong Chinese New Year holidays are just over. Most people go back to work today. Let me report on what's been going on here.

CNY Foods
Here's what we eat. Every family assembles a platter of assorted candies to welcome their visiting friends and relatives. Roasted mellon seeds are among the musts.

CNY Candies Platter 全盒

There are many types of roasted mellon seeds - black, red, white - of various sizes and flavour. 瓜子

Even when we eat dim sum, the names all carry good meanings. This dish is called "Great Profits with Surplus" and it contains - pig's tongue (profit), fish balls (surplus), hairy vegetable (lucky money), osyter (good business).

發財好市大利

Home-made Turnip Pudding (growth)
View my food blog to see

how I make turnip pudding at home.
蘿蔔糕

CNY Activities

Here's what we do.

Preparing for a lion dance. This is one of the most traditional Chinese festival celebrations.

Floral decorations everywhere - home, offices, public areas...

Tao Hua is the most popular


Visit the year-end flower market.
Buy souveniors...

Buy Chinese handicrafts...

And of course buy flowers....

Tangerine is also very popular in Chinese New Year.

Hong Kong Chinese New Year 2011