Hong Kong/Macau 2008 - Avenue of Stars & Symphony of Light

After a refreshing nap back at Dragon Hostel in Mong Kok, we departed to Tsim Sha Tsui for an early dinner, followed by a leisure stroll along the Avenue of Stars (where you get to see & touch REAL palm prints of current and former stars), and capped off with the dazzling synchronised laser and light display aptly named, the "Symphony of Lights".

Tsim Sha Tsui

Taking the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) trains from Mong Kok to Tsim Sha Tsui is a rather short trip, separated only by 2 stations wedged in between. (HKD4.40/RM2).

The YMCA Building @ Tsim Sha Tsui

Various skyscrapers around Tsim Sha Tsui, most notably The Peninsula (bottom pics), an award-winning hotel that has been operating since 1928.

MACAU Restaurant @ Shop A & B, G/F, Lokville Comm Building, 25-27 Lock Road, Tsim Sha TSui, Kowloon.

Though it was barely 5pm, we were ready for an early dinner, as late dinners in Hong Kong = Seats-grabbing fiesta, and Patience-testing ordeal. Macau Restaurant (http://www.macaurestaurant.hk/) has a few branches in Hong Kong, serving authentic Macanese cuisine, catering to those who missed trying some in Macau, or couldn't be bothered to travel all the way for a taste of such in Macau.

Clockwise from top left : Baked Rice with Seafood, Spinach Noodles with Prawns & Mushrooms in Tomato Sauce, Beef & Fish Balls Noodles, Milk Tea, Portuguese Egg Tart, and Macau Crispy Bun with Corned Beef and Cheese

My Baked Rice with Seafood in Lobster Sauce (HKD36/RM16.20) sounded promising, but failed to deliver. Diluted tomato sauce, with a faint hint of lobster (or rather, fishy essence) drowned the lightly fried rice with eggs. But the mussels, squids, and prawns made up for the minuses. The rest of the meal proved to be rather bland, the Macau crispy bun with corned beef and cheese (HKD19/RM8.55) was too dainty to be of substance. But the Portuguese egg tart (HKD7/RM3.20) was GOOD, creamy & milky egg custard, with flaky pastry. Total damage? HKD124/RM55.80 for a moderate affair.

Wing Wah Bakery @ Tsim Sha Tsui

A few shops away is this simple, plain old bakery manned by a Chinese old man. Still longing for more to fill that vacuum in our stomach, I picked a golden yellow egg tart, and a wife cake (lou por peng), while the others bought fluffy egg cake, etc. Forgot the price, but egg tarts should be around HKD4/RM1.80 per pc.

MY HKFA?!!! *_* (I can dream, can't I?)

A short walk to Tsim Sha Tsui's Waterfront, we reached the Avenue of Stars, where people gather and hangout by the strait separating Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula. Resembling Hollywood Walk of Fame, the waterfront not only serves as a cool hangout for couples and families, but also popular with avid photographers.

Quirky structures abound at the waterfront

You'll see Bruce Lee's statue immortalized in that famous pose of his, and various other statues/structures for camwhoring purposes

Of course, coming here on a breezy evening is definitely more ideal, comparing to us suffocating in the smog, and tormented by the heat and stagnant air. Directly opposite the waterfront you'll be able to see Victoria Harbour, and the amazing skyline of Central on Hong Kong Island. But clouded by the haze, the beautiful view was somewhat obstructed. Sigh ....

Victoria Harbour and Central

Some STARS on the pathway

The magnificient night view on Hong Kong Island. Can you spot the famous Bank of China tower?

Every night, at 8pm sharp, the Symphony of Lights show will start, and lasts for approximately 10 mins, promising an unforgettable multimedia experience

44 Buildings, Five themes - Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Partnership & Celebration

You'll be able to view the dazzling performance every night, either from the Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon side, OR from the other side at Wan Chai's Golden Bauhinia Square, on Hong Kong island. Narration in different languages on different days, with English on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while Mandarin narration's on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Only on Sunday will you be able to listen to the explanation in Cantonese.

A splendid shot? (Credits to TallGal)

After hanging around the waterfront, and cooled ourselves down at a nearby shopping complex, we were on our way back to Mong Kok

Aberdeen Fishball and Noodles Restaurant

We had our compulsory (ahem) supper at Aberdeen Fishball & Noodles Restaurant, with four branches in Mong Kok alone. We were attracted to this outlet as the menu was extensive, the place looks clean and unpretentious, and the food is reasonably-priced.

For an additional HKD7/RM3.20, you'll get a drink of your choice to complement your meal

You probably would've heard the Hong Kong actors ordering "Tung Ling Cha" (Iced Lemon Tea) in the movies/dramas quite often. Wanna know what's the difference between the version in HK and Msia? In Hong Kong, they do not skimp on the lemon wedges, as evident from the pic above. First you 'mash' the lemon wedges in your drink to fully extract the tangy juices, and relish your cold, refreshing glass of cooling concoction. Lovely. My perennial favourite Milk Tea however, conquered all, and remained my #1 choice throughout my stay. =)

Braised Fatty Beef and Enoki Mushrooms with Rice (HKD30/RM13.50 per set, with a complimentary drink)

Pork Cheeks with Satay Sauce (HKD38/RM17.10)

The Braised Fatty Beef (trust them when they mention FATTY !!) and Enoki Mushrooms was nothing special, but not to say it was bad. But the star of the meal had to be the utterly delicious, PORK CHEEKS. Actually pork neck in Chinese, the thinly sliced pieces of meat were roasted to perfection, with the outer layer crispy, and the tender yet chewy meat intact with the natural juices of the meat. Oh how I miss those! Give the accompanying Satay sauce a miss though, as it was way too salty.

Location : #1 (148, Sai Yeung Choi St) #2 (139, Tung Choi St) #3 (Flat 2, G/F, Fa Yeun St) and #4 (G/F, 20, Nullah Road). All in Mongkok, Kowloon.

** Be warned though, service's NOT that satisfactory, and the pork cheeks took a good 20 mins to arrive. But well worth the wait, IMO. **

Next Day's Itinerary : Dim Sum @ Central, Golden Bauhinia Square, Times Square, and The PEAK.

Hong Kong/Macau 2008 - Tian Tan Buddha @ Lantau Island

Drowned by the seas of people in Mong Kok the day before (click HERE for previous post), we finally experienced a good night's sleep and woke up rejuvenated. We've agreed to take things slowly, travelling at a comfortable pace, rather than covering an endless onslaught of destinations, as this WAS after all, a holiday for us.

Noticed the Hongkies are quite patient, and no unruly behaviour was seen at bus stops, MTR stations, and taxi stands. Suffice to say, we kinda felt ashamed.

Sharing a communal bathroom was not a problem for us, and we managed to get prepared for breakfast by 8.30am. Not bad huh? =P

Throngs of people paying Kam Wah Cafe a visit for a taste of their famous Polo Buns, and various other delights

Situated at G/F, 47, Bute Street in Mongkok, the cafe is merely a few roads away from our hostel. And we did not regret going all out in search of Kam Wah, for a taste of their famed Polo Buns (aptly named Pineapple Buns, due to its physical resemblance to the fruit).

A comforting breakfast @ Kam Wah, 'entertained' by the antics of the locales, as well as the staff at the cafe, churning out trays after trays of buns while shouting/informing the crowd of what's fresh from the oven

If you're coming in a group of 4, it's easier to find seats, as the tables & benches at the side cater to a group of 4 and above only. Meaning to say, those eating alone will be "politely" ushered to share another table with the others, once the place is packed. Muahaha ... The Gruesome Foursome? ;)

Giant Polo Buns? - Crisp & sweet upper layer, soft and warm inside, with a melting slab of butter = HEAVEN.

We went in with doubts, wondering what's the fuss all about. But the impeccable service (they greeted us cheerfully, smiled warmly, waited patiently for our orders, and never rushed any patron even though some are reading papers after their meal), the incomparable Polo Buns (have it with a slab of butter for the BEST taste, or pork/chicken chop albeit only available after 11am), French toast, flaky egg tarts and milk tea are prove of their fame and customer loyalty.

You can experience the true Hong Kong lifestyle in the rush hours of the morning, when the people waltz in and had a cuppa milk tea/coffee and a toast or a bowl of piping hot noodles. And the periodically shouts of "Polo Buns Fresh From The Oven!" "Pork Meat Bun Fresh From The Oven!" proudly proclaimed by the staff carrying trays after trays of freshly baked goodies somehow enhanced the whole experience.

Egg tarts @ HKD3.50/RM1.60 per piece, Polo Buns @ HKD5.50/RM2.50 plain, or HKD6.50/RM2.93 with butter. There are sets, as usual, and well worth the money. A breakfast for four came to HKD58.50/RM26.33. Remember, in Hong Kong cafe, or more affectionately known as "Char Chaan Teng", you pay at the counter before leaving, instead of calling for bills.

Ngong Ping 360 - Cable car to Tian Tan Buddha at Lantau Island

Where to go for the day? Lantau Island (Dai Yu Shan in Chinese), a popular tourist spot situated to the west of Kowloon. We took the MTR from Prince Edward station (near to Kam Wah Cafe) to Tung Chung on Lantau Island for HKD13.50/RM6 per pax. Remember, if you're NOT using the Octopus card, the fare's slightly more expensive. At Tung Chung station, you can change MTR to Disneyland line, in order to reach, erm, Disneyland (obviously!).

Scenes from the 25 minutes ride to the top. Passing by 7 stations, Tung Chung bay, and HK International Airport before reaching our terminal. Notice the hazy surroundings? Yup, the weather was kinda bad.

From Tung Chung MTR station, we walked a short distance to Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Station. You can either choose to take the cable car up & down, OR bus up & down, OR cable car up & bus down. The last option is mainly for those who wish to visit Tai-O (A fishing village on Lantau Island) and some other towns on the island. But from Min's experience, she told us that Tai-O is nothing but a fishing village. And travelling by bus from the mountains to the towns may take >1 hour. So we decided to ride on the cable cars for both ways. HKD88/RM39.60 for two ways, per person. A 25 minutes ride later, we reached our destination. Btw, the cable car has NO air-conditioning. Plus the warmer than ideal weather, the ride was not really a pleasant one, until we reached higher grounds, when a welcoming breeze thankfully, started stroking our sweaty faces. :)

The scenery at the top was well-worth the excursion to Lantau Island

Ngong Ping Village & the pilgrimage to the top, where the 85-foot Tian Tan Buddha statue, and Po Lin Monastery can be found

The scorching weather was very unforgiving, therefore bring yourself an umbrella or wear a cap if the weather's sunny. Shady areas is scarce, rendering us vulnerable to the damaging UV. Hence, we escaped from the sun periodically and found solace in air-conditioned outlets. There are a few eateries and souvenir shops at Ngong Ping Village, no worries. Just be thick-skinned and smile through the ordeal. That's all. :)

The Tian Tan Buddha Statue at the peak of Ngong Ping Plateau, overlooking the hills below

Though the weather's sinister, the ascend up the flight of stairs was surprisingly a walk in the park. Some devotees even walk 3 steps then kneel & bow, deep in prayers. Of course, lazybum me was running up like there's no tomorrow. LOL.

The Temple at Po Lin Monastery, situated within the vicinity of the Buddha statue

A sense of tranquility brushed against us, as devotees from all over the world, including tourists from foreign countries, perform their prayers

The place was picture-perfect. I can imagine the sense of relish and contentment had it been cooler and not so humid. Walking around the grand structure of Tian Tan Buddha left me with a feeling of awe, and dwarfed. We did not enter the inner sanctum of the statue, as payment was required. Roughly HKD60/RM27 including a vegetarian meal.

Deli Vegetarian Cafe - Snacking al fresco?

There's a vegetarian restaurant near the temple. But still reeling from the weather, the climb, and the breakfast, we opted for something lighter. Deli vegetarian cafe was doing brisk business selling sweet and savoury snacks (kuih-muih, in Malay, or char guo, in Chinese). They do serve filling dishes such as fried noodles but the larger than usual portion was deterring.

An assortment of simple snacks and tau fu fah - All suitable for vegans

The array of snacks they serve was mind-boggling. But snapping photo of the items on display was a big no-no. So I could only came up with whatever we had. HKD10/RM4.50 for 3 pcs. Quite cheap, as some of the snacks were rather special. The mango mochi, red dates with longan jelly, and deep-fried yam (wu kok) were memorable. And the Tau Fu Fah was rather good, according to TallGal.

Let's pray for world peace ... and political stability?

We descended the mountains in the cable car, and somehow the journey was shorter. Or we could be fatigued, all energy sapped. Of course, at Tung Chung MTR station, there's a shopping complex named Citygate Complex where MBoy mentioned there's 'supposedly' a warehouse sale for branded items. But we did not know at that moment, thus we rushed back home and refreshed our tired selves. So back we went, from Tung Chung MTR to Mong Kok station (HKD13.50/RM6)

Saint's Alp Teahouse, with branches everywhere

Of course, snacking alone simply won't cut it for lunch, right? So as soon as we were in Mong Kok, I was automatically warped to Saint's Alp Teahouse for some extra grubs. OK, so I was attracted to the chic-looking cafe, and my stomach was grumbling. But can't blame Motormouth for eating more than he should, no? :)

The Spiced Beef Shin Noodles was a God-sent. Really. Or maybe my prayers came true at Lantau island. =P

For HKD19/RM8.55 per bowl, the ultra thin noodles (they named it "ramen") served in a sweet yet light broth with half an egg, perfectly-sliced & tender spiced beef shins, and garnished with some greens that I forgot the species. Delicious, and I drank most of the soup. In fact, Saint's Alp is well-known for their beverages, thus selecting one was rather tough. The Double Chocolate Blueberry (HKD24/RM10.80) came in a tall glass, with shaved/blended ice, and was just what I needed to counter the heat.

Location : SAINT's ALP TEAHOUSE @ G/F, 134, Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kok.

Remember that song, Tsim Sha Tsui SUZY? =)

Then we went back for some well-deserved rest, and a short nap. Yeah, we STILL have time for naps, believe that? :) Then later in the evening, we proceeded to our next destination, the Avenue of Stars @ Tsim Sha Tsui.

To be continued ....

Hong Kong/Macau 2008 - The Mongkok Rush & Temple Street in Hong Kong

Continuation from Day Two in Macau ....

For a satisfying, yet cheap breakfast, look for McCafe @ McDonald's, located at Largo do Senado

Just realised in my previous post on Macau, I skipped a supper meal at a noodle shop beside Leitaria I Son (Yishun Milk Company) at Largo do Senado. It was not intended, of course, but in someway, I'm pretty glad the 'ordeal' was over. The food was really BAD (we ordered Char Siew Noodles, Wanton Noodles, and Cheong Fun with PEANUT sauce), and pricey to boot, adding salt to the wounds. Remember, avoid that noodle shop beside Yishun, AT ALL COST.

That minor flaw aside, the next morning we decided to give McDonald's in Macau a try. The breakfast sets on offer are aplenty, though no doubt intimidating narrowing down your choices while standing at the counter, no thanks to our harrowing experience with the customs and the airport staff at Macau. But we were pleasantly surprised at the courtesy level of the staff manning the counter, and the supervisor welcoming & ushering the patrons. A sigh of relief, breathing some hope to Macau's hospitality gauge?

A pancakes (hot cakes' their term), chicken sausage (a meat patty) and milk tea set cost MOP$18 (RM8.10), additional MOP$2 (RM0.90) if you wish to have your beverages cold. A Ham & Cheese Burger cost only MOP$8 (RM3.60), and quite tasty as the meat patty and cheese is nothing like the ones in Malaysia. Or I could be hungry. =P They have macaroni soup and grilled chicken set, at MOP$21 (RM9.45), simple, yet substantial.

Embarking on a journey to Hong Kong, by sea

We checked out from San Va Hospideria and proceeded to the ferry terminal at the peninsula itself by bus, number 3A (or number 3) for MOP$2.50/pax. But before that, we enquired about another hotel on the same street (Ruo de Felicidade) as San Va, as we'll be back the following weekend for another night's stay, before departing for Malaysia. The 2 nights spent at San Va was an unforgettable experience, to put it mildly. In reality, you can imagine sleeping in a microwave oven, and harassed by untoward incidents. But let's not digress.

Ferries to Hong Kong are at full service, with at least 3 companies providing the same service. You can even travel to some parts of China, such as Zhuhai or Shenzhen if you wish to. We took First Ferry in order to reach Tsim Sa Tsui ferry terminal in Kowloon. They depart every half hour, so long waits are unheard of. MOP$155 (RM70)/person.

Typical high-rise accomodation for Hongkies, especially in densely-populated areas, eg. Mongkok, and Tsim Sa Tsui.

In an hour, we arrived on Hong Kong's shores. Even though you're travelling between Macau-Hong Kong or the other way, you still need to pass through immigration, and submit your passport for stamping, as though you're entering another country. Which led to another bout of anxiety, as facing another custom officer may develop into custom-o-phobia, with hostility reigning supreme. But Hong Kong's a lot different from Macau. Though you're not given royal treatment, but the officers, and people in general, treat you like how they treat each other. THAT somehow made our day .... ^o^

We then took a taxi from the terminal to Mongkok, the area with the highest population density in Hong Kong. Total fare for four = HKD50 (RM22.50), as they include extra charges for our luggages.

One interesting note ; Every road looks nearly the same in Hong Kong, and hard to differentiate from each other, as the buildings, the signboards, & the people (duh) mimic those from the next street, or the one after.

Day and Night, Weekdays or Weekends, at every nook and corner, the never-ending seas of humans are mind-boggling.

As soon as we're dropped off somewhere nearby our accomodation on Argyle Street, we were astounded by the immense crowd at every turning, every shop and cafe, and the Hong Kong residents' (or maybe tourists') walking speed and pace of life was an eye-opener. Especially when crossing the roads, or at the MTR (Mass Transit Railway, Hong Kong's subway trains) stations, you'll be knocked off your feet had you been strolling haphazardly.

A residential block in Mongkok (Sincere House) where we stayed for five nights

Dragon Hostel @ Mongkok - Cheap, Clean & Impeccable Service with a Smile

We booked our room before we left Malaysia, as Dragon Hostel at 7/F of Sincere House on Argyle Street has been one of the most popular guesthouse in Hong Kong. The generally positive reviews on this place, and Min's recommendation somehow was reassuring. And we were glad, as the place was packed the instant we arrived ; throngs of foreigners checked in and all rooms were rented out on that day.

Basic amenities aside, free unlimited supply of boiled drinking water, fridge, and cable TV were some of the 'luxuries' we were able to enjoy

Our room for 4 cost HKD440 (RM198)/ night, a very reasonable sum considering this being Hong Kong, after all. But if you're expecting a suite with plenty of leg space, you're in for a culture shock. Just like the TVB dramas, space is a luxury, and the rooms are pretty small, but sufficient for the number of people staying. We had no qualms, as the room had air-conditioning, and an attached bathroom with hot shower. There are also a few shared bathrooms available for use, in case you're in 'emergency mode' while someone's using the loo. Spick and span, with clean bed, sheets and pillows, every night was a smooth drift to slumberland. ;)

Hou Yuen Restaurant @ 250-252, Sai Yeung Choi Street South

After some rest, and unpacking, we proceeded to Sai Yeung Choi Street South, and headed for lunch at Hou Yuen Restaurant, a famed restaurant-cum-cafe offering an admirable array of dishes and snacks, as well as set lunches and tea-time sets. One important advice when dining in Hong Kong, if you're looking for cheap options, go for lunch after 2 or 2.30pm, where the tea-time sets are on offer, and the crowd is thinner, thus killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

Clockwise from top left : Sweet & Sour Fish Set, Curry Pork Ribs Set, Special Pork Ribs in Big Bowl Rice, and Japanese style Chicken Thigh Set

The portions at Hou Yuen were astoundingly large. The rice for one can feed two, and they do not skimp on the ingredients as well. Especially noteworthy were the Special Pork Ribs (soft bones pork ribs) marinated in a special sweet gravy and the fish fillets cooked in sweet and sour sauce. Each set at HKD30 (RM13.50) which came with a drink (coffee/tea) and a bowl of soup. Another advice : If you DO NOT like evaporated or fresh milk in your tea, or despise overly milky flavour in your cup of beverage, stay away from HK's milk tea. But me being a tea fanatic, I'm obssessed with HK's version, and fell deeply in lurve with every cup at every corner. ;)

Colourful fishes on sale @ Goldfish Market on northern Tung Choi Street

Ladies' perennial obssession = Shopping. Where else but Tung Choi Street aka Ladies' Street?

Ornaments, souvenirs, clothings, bags, etc on display and sale

Mongkok is popular for a variety of reasons. Food, residential area, and of course, shopping. The few popular streets being Tung Choi Street (Ladies' Street), Fa Yuen Street (Sneakers' Street) and Sai Yeung Choi Street. If you can't find something here, you can still snack or indulge all you want, round the clock. Or indulge in people watching. But the diversity in the choices, options and brands available will definitely hit your mark, one way or another.

People flocking to G2000 Outlet?!!! ^O^

In Hong Kong, most people have the impression that shopping is a luxurious activity, paying premium price for something available back home for similar price. BUT some branded clothing lines have OUTLET-type stores, eg. G2000 and Esprit, whereby they're having warehouse sale all year round, heavily slashing the prices for off-season items. Wanna do comparison? A short sleeve workshirt at G2000 Outlet cost HKD59 (RM26.55), while long sleeve options start from HKD69-HKD150 (RM31-RM67.50). And the designs are no mere unwanteds, but rather sleek, stylish and fashionable, & some not even available in Malaysia. Esprit's T-shirts (for guys) start from HKD69 (RM31) onwards, and pants from HKD199 (RM89.55) onwards. A steal?

Their MTR system is impressive, with network reaching almost every corner of Hong Kong

After walking and shopping around, we dragged our feet back to our room. By the way, free internet service is available for tenants of Dragon Hostel. So we spent most of our rest time online, and checking on places to visit, as well as Malaysia's political turmoil.

Another useful word of advice; Once alighting in Hong Kong, it is highly advisable to purchase yourself an Octopus Card at any MTR station, for public transportation purposes, from MTR to buses and trams. Very, very useful, as you do not have to frantically dig in for coins while standing beside the impatient bus driver. Plus, with an Octopus Card, you're entitled to many offers and discounts on rides and entrance fees at certain attractions. One for HKD150 (RM67.50), where HKD100 is for use, and HKD50 is refundable deposit. You can refund any unused balance, though HKD7 (RM3.15) will be charged if the card is returned within 3 months (a minimal charge for tourists using the service)

Temple Street aka Men's Street - Peddlers doing brisk business and the infamous stretch of fortune tellers

At night, only two out of four of us went out due to some unforeseen circumstances. We took the MTR from Mongkok to Jordan station (HKD3.60/RM1.62). Walking around Temple Street and Parkes Street, we were slightly disappointed as there was nothing much to be seen, nothing outstanding compared to Ladies' Street and the likes.

Tai Leong Pat Kee Desserts House on Parkes Street

Initially planned to dine at Australian Dairy Company at Parkes Street, as their steamed milk and egg toasts received rave reviews. But luck was not on our side, as it was closed for 3 days. And the hawker/seafood fare on Temple Street was not too tempting, and attracted mostly foreigners. We were wary as tourist spots like these tend to over-charge. Ended up at a dessert outlet, Tai Leong Pat Kee, a quite famous brand in Hong Kong.

Walnut Soup and Steamed Egg Custard (Total : HKD18/RM8.10)

Their menu's extensive, as usual you have the boiled tong sui, the steamed milk or egg custard, the cold varieties, and much more. But all in Chinese. Fortunately, the boss was very very friendly, supplying recommendations, and catered to my incessant queries on almost all the items on the menu. Being thick-faced does help, I tell you. =P

The smooth, creamy yet not too sweet walnut soup's supposedly good for health, while the steamed egg custard was fragrant, smooth, and rich. But not too sweet as well. Satisfied, but still longing for more .... HOW?????!!!!

Hui Lau Shan Healthy Desserts

So we walked and we soldiered on, and reached a corner lot bearing the overly familiar moniker of Hui Lau Shan. Every visitor to Hong Kong MUST try their mango desserts at least once. Or so I was made to believe, judging from the never-ending rants on their desserts on the net. They have a lot of branches all over Hong Kong, hence not running into one is pure bad luck.

Mango Platter (HKD35/RM15.75)

The two of us ordered a Mango Platter to share, believing the portion to be large, but the dainty servings of each was slightly discouraging. The Mango Mochi with Fresh Slices of Mango was nothing special, the sticky outer layer enveloping a cube of mango but not as sweet as I'd prefer. The Mango Pudding with glutinous Rice Ball and Mangoes fared better, though the pudding here is more watery compared to our version in M'sia. The Mango Ice-Cream was served with strands of coconut jelly, a refreshing addition, as well as cubes of mangoes. As it was a Monday, our Platter was on offer (unknowingly, at first), and cost only HKD30/RM13.50.

The night scene at Nathan Road, the main road in Kowloon

After the desserts galore, we trudged back to our room. Bearing in mind Dragon Hostel on Argyle Street can't be too far off, as from the map, it was only 2 MTR stations away. But were we wrong. The walk took us nearly half an hour. And we were huffing and puffing away, but the beautiful night scenery helped in reducing our torture. The weather was horrendously hot.

Lok Yuen Beef Ball King @ G/F, Shop 2, 138-144, Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok, Kowloon

As soon as we were back, supper was on our mind. TallGal joined us then, for another round of gluttony before we surrendered to the night. Lok Yuen Beef Ball King has 3 outlets in Kowloon alone, one on Sai Yeung Choi Street South, another on G/F, 11, Fa Yuen Street, and another at G/F 45, Bute Street.

Suffice to say, their signature item is the beef ball. Half-expected to see a hollowed ball with soup or fillings, I was slightly disappointed as there was none, but instead my palate appeased by the springy, and flavourful beef balls. You can opt for their black pepper varieties. The beef briskets were pretty delicious as well, and you can choose from a variety of noodles to go along with the ingredients. But the Honey Pomelo Drink was a welcoming change from the usual beverage, and not one you can easily find in Malaysia. Supper for HKD67/RM30.15 including 2 bowls of noodles, and 2 drinks. Aaaahhh .... Blissful.

Argyle Centre @ Mongkok - Cheap ladies' clothings and accessories

After the satisfying supper, we leisurely adjourned to our room, fairly fatigued, yet our senses thoroughly stimulated by the day's experience ...

Next day's itinerary : Lantau Island & Avenue of Stars