We arrived in Hong Kong Sunday morning from a 00:50 flight from Brisbane, Australia arriving at 7:30 am. I knew to head to the service desk to buy 2 Octopus cards and topped them up to $200 HK each. Then to check in at the Harbour Plaza info desk at the airport for the shuttle we had booked to take us to the Harbour Plaza Metropolis Hotel. What a pleasant surprise when we were lead to a brand new Mercedes Limo to be driven to our Hotel. Perhaps the shuttle was not there....who knows. We weren%26#39;t going to complain.
At the hotel we had to wait for our room to be ready but were in by 10:30 am. We booked the 1 bedroom suite and were very happy with the room. Bedroom and separate lounge/dining room and also a small kitchen - sink, hotplates, fridge, cupboards etc. The lounge pulls out into another small double bed , if needed .I%26#39;ll write a review in the Hotel section of trip advisor and add some photos. Both rooms overlooked the Harbour. Pity the weather was very foggy and overcast. But even so, we could see the Harbour and the Symphony of Lights at night.
After we unpacked we headed straight out.
The Hotel provides a free shuttle bus that drops you off at the Kowloon Hotel opposite the Peninsula Hotel. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes to and from these 2 Hotels.
Following the good advise from here as well as a map I picked up at the airport and also notes I had taken from the Discover Hong Kong website, we made a bee line for the TST MTR and went to Mongkok Station, changed to the green line and went to Diamond Hill Station. From there it was easy to follow the signs to Nan Lian Gardens and the Chi Lin Nunnery. For a Bonsai lover like me, Nan Lian Gardens was heaven. The Golden pagoda with pond and GIANT Koi or Carp was fabulous and the gardens so peaceful and beautiful. A very short stroll and we were at the Chi Lin Nunnery which was beautiful too.
As it was a Sunday and many said that most touristy places are very crowded on weekends, we wondered whether we should stop at the next MTR station along - Wong Tai Sin and visit the temple there. We did and again saw a much loved temple with many people and lots of incense. Not too crowded as we had thought.
Then we set off to Prince Edward MTR station and out to the Flower markets....I bought a small bunch of Orchids ( double the size we get here in Oz)for $5 HK - that%26#39;s $ 1 Aus !!!! It was lovely to stroll around and see all the different flowers displayed. Within a few streets was the Yuen Po Bird Market - very cute to see old men holding their cages with birds inside, taking them for a walk. Many beautiful cages on display and lovely bird calls. We did find the Goldfish market near the Fa Yuen Street Market ...was not impressed really. Many goldfish hanging in plastic bags - ready to go !
Made our way back to the Kowloon Hotel for the next shuttle back to Harbour Plaza Metropolis. Ate dinner at the food court at the 3 storey Metropolis Mall attached to the Hotel. Good cheap local food.
A big day, especially after a 8 1/2 hour night flight, with not much sleep. We thought we would power on and fit in as much as possible. We found it so easy to get around the city and people would often stop and ask if we needed help as we stood there consulting our map. We were polite to the street hawkers and they were not so pushy.
We were so satisfied with our first day and slept so well in our gorgeous comfy bed........ to be continued...
Just Back Report : Day 1
Great! Enjoy the rest of the trip! ^_^
Just Back Report : Day 1
Great review, looking forward to go.
I am also planing to go to Nan Lian Gardens, did you try the vegetarian restaurant there ? Looking forward to your next days.
Wow, this is great!! we are heading back to Hong Kong in November and i have been reading on here that the Nunnery is worth a visit so i was pleased you enjoyed it.
I too would like to see the flower, bird and goldfish markets. We will be travelling with our son (who will be 5 1/2 at time of travel) can someone please tell me - would the distance between these markets be an easy walk for him?? and can you continue walking to the ladies market??
We stayed at the Harbour Plaza Metroplois last time (Nov%26#39;07) and will again for our next stay - we loved it there and were very happy.
Looking forward to reading more about your trip :)
This is a fantastic report. We travel in May to the Harbour Plaza Metropolis so I a loving your reports.
Karen
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