Going…nowhere

While moving to a new country in the middle of the pandemic isn’t ideal, there is a flip side. Being in a new place when you can’t travel gives staycation a whole new meaning. Last week, hubby took a few days off and we finally got the opportunity to explore our new city. If you google ‘Things to see in HK’ one of the first things that pops up is a visit to Victoria Peak, so of course that was our first stop. I remember visiting the peak years ago when I was in HK pre hubby and kids, so really a whole different me. Unlike my first visit where we took the mtr everywhere as a newly minted graduate with loans, this time we took a lovely ferry ride down to Central. We wanted to check out the worlds longest outdoor covered escalator, the Central- Mid levels escalator so we walked towards it. Its a civil engineering marvel - over 800m in distance making it a breeze (not so much with a buggy) to get from Central to the Mid-Levels, an elevation of over 400 ft. While we did not travel all the way (as we soon realised getting a cab from there may be hard), it was still a cool experience. Little V, who loves escalators, kept shouting “up up”.

Sadly, the tram which is a lovely way to get up to the Peak, is currently under renovation. We hopped in a cab and a quick fifteen mintues later arrived in the ‘Peak’, one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in HK. Its the highest hill on HK island at an elevation of over 500 feet. There is a lovey circular walk you can do all around the peak with some amazing views.

V loved exploring the path and not being restricted by cars - i think he was more impressed with this than the views.

Me at Victoria peak now vs 13 years ago! Oh times have changed!

One of the iconic symbols of HK (apart from the myriad of skyscrapers) is the tall boats with traditional red Chinese sails fondly known as a ‘junk’ boat. Today the term ‘junk boat’ really refers to various types of boat and renting one of these is a favourite HK activity. Now any who has met hubby knows, (or so he claims) he’s nautical, and there is nothing he enjoys more than sailing the high seas. So, when I suggested we rent one of these with two families who have become our family away from family, he jumped at the suggestion. We had 8 adults and 9 children on board (being outnumbered by children is the story of our lives), plus the owner and his partner. We spent a lovely, relaxing (well as relaxing as can be with 9 kids under 9 and making sure their ‘wrestling’ didn’t land one of them in the water) day on the water. We stopped by a ‘secret’ beach, one accessible only by boat, where the kids had a blast playing in the water and rock climbing.

All in all we had a fabulous day with good company and good food!

On our final day of exploration, we decided to stay closer to home and visit the Big Buddha, another one on the HK must do list. The children were excited to take the 25 minute long cable car ride to Ngong Ping village, home of Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery. We even splurged (obviously hubby’s doing if you know me well) on a glass bottom car. V was fascinated and kept looking down, and proving fear is definitely an adult trait, was not afraid at all. The ride provides some majestic views over Lantau Island and made me truly appreciate how lucky we are to call it home. We could also the hiking trail which follows the same oath as the cable car (except takes 4 hours) and we definitely want to come back and attempt that sometime…maybe sans kids.

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Once we got off the cable car, we explored the quaint village which is littered with cute shops and eateries (really a tourist trap, but still fun!).The big Buddha is unfortunately under renovation, so you can’t go all the way up, but thankfully his upper half is still visible. The Po Li Monastery is also lovely and while you cant go inside, they do allow you to peek inside to see the 1000 buddha statues.

I can’t wait to explore more of this wonderful city we live in!