After my time in Singapore, I was so lucky to get to visit Tom’s sister Elle in Hong Kong, as well as her boyfriend John! John was transferred to the Asia Bureau by his PR firm, and Elle’s job in the States asked her to stay on as a consultant while she’s overseas. And most impressively, she’s also already volunteering for four (four!) different organizations, most of them related to the adoption industry – one of her passions.
Elle has lived in Hong Kong for just over a month and has the most charming apartment on Star Street, right in the heart of the action and surrounded by picturesque little cafes and restaurants. She put together the most perfect three day itinerary for us! After all of my planning in Singapore, it was such a treat to be hosted and whisked around and taken care of!
Hong Kong is nothing like I expected. It is absolutely beautiful and tropical and full of rolling green hills. It’s quite like San Francisco but, surprisingly, with less sprawl, concrete and smog. Though full of incredible skyscrapers, there were less than I expected, yet so much lush land and coastline. It also seemed much more Chinese and cultural than Singapore. Not every building was scrubbed shining white. Toothless men wandered the streets with wooden carts right next to the mobs of business suits. On the nearby islands, cattle roam the streets. It felt much more authentic and historic, which I loved.
On Friday, Elle and I had lunch at Classified, her local restaurant, where she introduced me to Lime Sodas – our drink of choice from then on. Next we visited the Peak, the highest point in Singapore. You take these incredibly steep cable-cars up to the top of an endless mountain/hill and get knock-out views of the city along with a lesson in the British Colonial development back in the 1800s.
We lost a few pounds in perspiration, but pressed on to the Central District to immerse in the madness of the city. There were crowds and chaos, but I still got such an authentic feeling. There were small, winding roads, fruit stands and tiny stalls lining the street levels of the office buildings and shiny shopping malls. Then we ended the evening at a delicious Tapas restaurant with John, enjoying peach sangria, great food and even better company.
Day two was all about Lamma Island, which is just a 30 minute ferry from Hong Kong. Elle and John have been there a few times already and made friends with the locals. It’s a bohemian, laid back little town that seems frozen in the ‘60s. Many ex-pats looking to escape reality seem to settle and make their home there.
Despite some rainy weather, we had the best day on our own little pub crawl. Chapter 1 of our day-long adventure we dubbed Sharon’s Stories, on behalf of the British owner of a pub we spent time with who Elle and John have befriended. Chapter 2 was Mouth on Fire, where John was almost taken down by a flaming omelet of deceiving spiciness. Chapter 3 was Wine Tasting with our new Chinese friends and a bartender who didn’t know the difference between a tasting and a glass. Chapter 4 was The Beach, where John went swimming, I got attacked by a stranger with a super-soaker and Elle collected sea stones for a new home project. Chapter 5 was Twilight, when the sun set behind us while we munched on crostinis and cod before catching the last shuttle home. We soaked every ounce out of the day and out of Lamma!
For Day three, we set out to another nearby island, Lantau Island, home of the world’s largest sitting bronze outdoor Buddha. Yes, you read that right! The island was picturesque and lush, and so big!
We jumped on a local bus and whipped through hair-bending turns, up and down valleys and coastlines, and around a huge lake. We made our way to the Tian Tan Buddha, which was quite striking. It sits up on a lotus throne on a huge peak with its eyes higher than all the trees, keeping watch over the island.
There is also a monastery at the base, and we spent some time wandering around the grounds. Throughout the day, we took a train, ferry and bus. We had lunch on the beach at a Mediterranean/South African barbecue, and dinner at a Turkish tapas restaurant. I’m telling you, Elle and John are quite the hosts! I was spoiled up to the very last minute.
By the end of day the three of us were just exhausted! I felt so lucky to have had the wonderful time with Elle and John and to have seen so many sides to Hong Kong. Thank you to my generous and welcoming hosts, the locals!
With that, this trip came to an end. It was a fantastic trip throughout, and I felt incredibly lucky to have experienced it.
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