Hong Kong/Macau 2008 - Star-Struck @ Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, The Peak

With the bowl of Curry Lamb Noodles still lingering in my bowels, we walked to Causeway Bay MTR station and took a train to Admiralty (HKD3.60/RM1.60), where buses to The Peak and Ocean Park are in service.

Sleek, and stylish architecture

From Admiralty MTR station, follow the signs in order to exit accordingly. Another plus point about Hong Kong's MTR stations is that the various exits branching from one station complements your journey on foot so well, as you're protected from the forces of nature while trying to reach your destination. And yet till now, there is NO LRT service DIRECTLY to Midvalley/1Utama/The Curve. Kudos?

The Tram to the Peak

A short walk from the station, we followed the signs and took a bus No 12A (HKD4.30/RM1.95)in order to reach Hong Kong Park, where the tram station to The Peak is within its vicinity. Two-way tram ride, including entrance to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum cost HKD150/RM67.50 per person. For an additional HKD20/RM9 per person, you're entitled to reach Sky Terrace, the erm, PEAK-most portion of the Peak, for a 270 degrees view of Hong Kong's skyline. However, the weather was terribly hazy, thus we omitted this option.

Sit on the right side of the tram, if you want to view the skyline while on your way up

Colourful tiles on the wall

Of course, The Peak does not consist of only the wax museum and sky terrace. There are two adjacent shopping complexes, "imaginatively" named Peak Tower and Peak Galleria, housing several restaurants, and cater to your shopping needs, albeit more for souvenirs-scavenging frenzy.

Smile. Pose. Touch. The closest you can ever get to so many superstars.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Hong Kong originated from London, and thus far has few branches all over the world, appeasing our lust for some starfest, a child-like nature embedded within each and everyone of us. Seriously, who doesn't experience a rush when bumping into a movie star on the road? Though throughout our journey in Hong Kong, the closest brush with some superstars happened only at the museum. =)

Fancy shaking hands with Mel Gibson, Eddie Murphy or the models?

Or stroking Aaron's bare chest, or even picking on Leo's blue hair?

The living Brangelina and the late Leslie Cheung ... Somehow Cecilia's statue did not hit the spot, unlike Andy's Infernal Affairs set up.

The Royalties - The good guys, and the moustache-y villain

Bae's arm is cradling (craving) for some lurve ... while Leon's been falling off his bike for some time now. Sport stars are equally worshipped as well.

The DIVAS of Canto-pop. Miriam Yeung, Joey Yung, TWINS and Anita Mui.

Of course, there are a whole bunch of wax statues on display, and you can easily spend an hour or two posing all you want and snap lotsa pics to your heart's content. After all, the nearest wax museum would have to be Shanghai, and the rest in Western countries. After the tiresome ordeal (hehe) we proceeded for dinner at Hong Kong Day, a 'char chaan teng' outlet in the same building.

The Stir-fried Spaghetti, Fried Rice with Shredded Chicken, and Wanton Flat Rice Noodles

Dinner's a meagre affair. Most (if not all) did not hit the spot. And pricier than your average HK meal to boot. But this being a designated tourist spot, the quality : price ratio is understandable. Wait till you read bout the Ocean's Park's disastrous lunch.

Dinner for four : HKD167/RM75. Not recommended, but then again, the other restaurants around the area are posh options and definitely higher-end, in terms of pricing.

The beautiful, yet hazy skyline view from the top

After hanging around for a while at the top, we descended the hill and took bus No 15C to Central MTR station. The bus caters to passengers from The Peak, and ferries them to Star ferry terminal at Central pier. But we chose to alight at the MTR instead and took a train back to Mong Kok (HKD9.50/RM4.30).

Once back at Dragon Hostel, we embraced our well-deserved rest and nursed our fatigued limbs. Oh, all the while watching Moonlight Resonance for free. Hehe ... The TVB drama's been gaining ground in Malaysia, and at that moment I've watched 30 episodes of them. In Hong Kong, the drama's popularity soared sky-high as well, as the residents in Hong Kong and Macau watch the nightly 9.30pm drama with great anticipation.

Tai Leong Pat Kee's bowls of wonderful desserts

Accustomed to Hongkie's favour for desserts, we craved them every night for supper. And even in the late hours of the night, the crowd at Mong Kok was superb. At every corner, people would be crowding the roads, the shops, and especially the cafes for some late-night grubs.

Our second visit to Tai Leong Pat Kee (first visit HERE) revealed a rather interesting fact. Though bearing the same name, different outlets in different areas (our 1st was at Parkes St, near to Temple St) charges different prices. Though this one at Mong Kok was a bit pricier, the 'tong sui' (sweet soups) are refreshing to the palates and appease my sweet tooth nicely. The cold & golden concoction of "Yeong Zhi Kam Lou" (Mango/Pomelo/Sago) was delightful, and every spoonful was heaven. At HKD16/RM7.20 per serving, it was definitely cheaper than Hui Lau Shan's. Mboy had Coconut Milk with Sago (HKD12/RM5.40) while TallGal tried their Walnut Soup (HKD15/RM6.80).

A departing shot of an irreplacable Samaritan ... "Your candle burnt out long before, your legend ever did"

to be continued ....