Friday, December 28, 2012

HKG - Day 1 - Cultural Heritage

NEW-TERRITORIES

MTR - East Tsim Sha Tsui Station to Hung Hom to Fanling (towards Sheung Shui)

Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail

Fung Ying Seen Koon: MTR Fanling Station. Look for temple’s distinctive double-tiled orange roof.

Go back to MTR Fanling Station and follow the signs to Luen Wo Hui. Turn left and go downstairs to the minibus station and take minibus 54K to Tin Hau Temple




MTR to Sha Tin towards Hung Hom: From station exit B take the ramp alongside the bus terminus, down to street level and past Pai Tau Village on the left. Continue walking forward a short distance to the junction with Pai Tau Street on the left. Follow Pai Tau Street and take the first street on the right, Sheung Wo Che Road and follow this street alongside Shatin Government Offices and a multi-storey car park. At the end of Sheung Wo Che Road is a yellow direction sign for the monastery and the path and staircase leading up to the monastery lie about 30-metres beyond. Over 500 gold Arhan statues and 431 steps lead the way to the monastery complex ~30min



Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Tai Po Road - Sha Tin, Hong Kong




Lower Terrace: Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall, Avalokitesvara (Kwun Yam) Pavilion, Samantabhadra Pavilion, Manjusri Pavilion, 18-Arhat Gallery, Naga-puspa Hall and 9-storey pagoda are located. climb the pagoda




Upper Terrace: Another 69 steps lead to the upper terrace which contains the Amitabha Hall, Avalotiskesvara (Kwun Yam) House, Cundi House, Ksitigarbha House, Jade Emperor Hall, Sprinkler Guanyin, YueXi Pavilion and Naga-puspa Court.







Tai Wai Station Che Kung Temple exit, walk along Che Kung Miu Road for 10 minutes.

Or,

MTR to Tai Wai towards Hung Hom, change to Che Kung Station towards Ma On Shan. Exit B, follow the signs and walk for around 10 minutes.







Che Kung Temple


MTR to Tai Wai towards Tai Wai, change to MTR to kowloon tong toward Hung Hom exchange to Diamond Hill



Wong Tai Sin and Kowloon City




MTR to Kowloon Tong towards Hung Hom - change MTR to Diamond Hill towards Kwun Tong

MTR Diamond Hill Station, Exit C2. Follow the signs pointing to Nan Lian Garden


  • Nan Lian Garden & Chi Lin Nunnery (by over bridge) - This 35,000-square-metre garden built in Tang dynasty (618– 907) style is made beautiful by its characteristic timber structures, water ponds, unusually shaped rocks and valuable old trees. The whole park has been artfully arranged to imitate nature and by following its one-way circular route, visitors will find new splendours unfold with every step. You can time this trip with lunch too if you like, as there is also a vegetarian restaurant here with delicious fare provided by the adjacent Chi Lin Nunnery.

Take the MTR to Wong Tai Sin Station. Leave the station via Exit B3 and follow the signs pointing to the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple.
  • Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple - This is one of the largest and most popular temples in Hong Kong, not least of which is because, according to legend, Wong Tai Sin is able to ‘make every wish come true upon request’. The temple is home to three different religions: Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism, and the temple containing Wong Tai Sin’s portrait is where worshippers pray for good fortune through offerings and divine guidance as well as fortune telling. Other points of interest here include the five buildings and structures representing the Five Geomantic Elements of feng shui: the Bronze Pavilion (metal), the Archives Hall (wood), the Fountain (water), the Yue Heung Shrine (fire) and the Earth Wall (earth).




Take the MTR to Lok Fu Station. Leave the station via Exit B and follow the signs pointing to the Hau Wong Temple.

  • Hau Wong Temple - One of the legends surrounding this temple built in 1730 is that it was crafted to commemorate a Chinese general who had helped the last Song Dynasty (960–1279) emperor escape invading forces to Kowloon. Another legend argues it was dedicated to a local inhabitant who had cured the same emperor of illness. Either way, the temple is home to a wealth of cultural artifacts, including groups of reliefs on the walls, Chinese calligraphy and a number of plaques.

Cross the road and walk along Tung Tau Tsuen Road until you reach the north gate of Kowloon Walled City Park.

  • Kowloon Walled City Park - Kowloon Walled City Park wasn’t always the serene place it is today. It was once the site of Kowloon Walled City, which by a quirk of history, remained outside British jurisdiction after Hong Kong became a colony, turning it into a notorious place of crime and debauchery. The yamen, or administrative building, which is one of the very few surviving structures of its kind in South China, has been restored and preserved in its original place. Other surviving relics of significance include two cannons (made in 1802) which are positioned at either end of the yamen‘s front yard. Make sure you save some time to peruse the other landmarks worthy of a look-see, including the Garden of the Chinese Zodiac, the Chess Garden, the Mountain View Pavilion, the Kuixing Pavilion and Guibi Rock, Eight Floral Walks, and the Garden of Four Seasons.


25M to MTR Kowloon Tong Station

KOWLOON

ICC Sky 100 Observation Deck, 10am-10pm, h$150/p www.sky100.com.hk/sky100-location.php
about 4:30pm, catch daylight and night views

Tsim Sha Tsui
  • Promenade walk from Clock tower to HungHom
  • Clock Tower, Star Ferry Pier, Avenue of Stars,
  • 1881 Heritage
  • Kowloon Park




Symphony of Lights Daily@8pm - M,W,F - English

Thursday, December 27, 2012

HKG - Plan & Logistics





The last time we did a stopover in Singapore and it was awesome. This time around we wanted to do a stopover in Hong Kong!


Hong Kong is a special administrative region (SAR) of China. Macau is another, but more on that later. Hong Kong still runs under the principle of "one country, two systems" since China resumed sovereignty from the British in 1997. Known for its expansive skyline, deep harbour and expensive real estate, HKG is an excellent tourist spot for outdoor activities.
Beware that hotel prices can be ridiculously crazy during popular season - Chinese New Year, Christmas and New year.  

Hueng Gong in Cantonese means 'fragrant harbour'. The main island gives the territory its name.  

Our plan was to cover the popular destinations as well as a few remote scenic spots. After researching the various points-of-interest, we started planning the stay.

Hotel Accommodation - In case I didn't mention, hotels are very expensive and our timing couldn't be better - post-Christmas and New Years. Finally, a month before the travel we got a good deal at City Garden Hotel - very nice and calm hotel, not much of view since it is flanked on all sides by taller buildings, but walkable (5 mins) to local bus/train transportation.

VISA - It is best to consult the HK Immigration Website. We enjoyed the privilege of being a VISA free visitor for 14-days.

Transport - HKG is a busy city with old and young, working professionals, students etc. The best way to get around are using the excellent and cheap public transportation, and ofcourse by foot to feel the place. 
Train - Get a copy of the MTA system map 
Bus - Get schedules from the two bus companies KMB and NWST
Ferry - If you plan to travel to neighbouring islands, get the ferry map from Star Ferry 

 

Planner : Self
Flight  : Cathay Pacific 
Flight  : City Garden Hotel, 9 City Garden Road, North Point
Duration: 5 Days

Apart from the usual things to pack, check your weather and pack some good sweaters and umbrella. Remember: some heritage sites require full pants and no PDAs.

We tried to cover as many places as possible - heritage sites, city skyscrapers, Macau, distant territories - Lamma and Lantau, hikes, gardens, parks, but as always there will be a wish list left out.

References:




Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Seattle/BC Summary

An exciting and packed trip. Seattle is a very beautiful place, best to visit late July-early August. Vancouver is a very clean and busy place. Whistler village is a small bustling community serving tourists primarily. Victoria & Sidney are very pretty places - no wonder it is called the Garden City. Vancouver Island is huge, we managed to only see a tiny portion of it. Their ferry system is awesome.


View Seattle/Vancouver,BC in a larger map

What we couldn't do:


Driving Tour of Orcas Island or San Juan Island
http://www.visitsanjuans.com/what-to-do/Orcas-Island-Driving

Granville Island

Capillano Park - http://www.capbridge.com/
  • Kia'palano/Totem Park
  • Suspension Bridge
  • Treetops adventure
  • nature edge boardwalk
  • canyon lookout
  • cliffwalk

Grouse Mountain - http://www.grousemountain.com/

  • Grouse Grind - 2 mile hike
  • Skyride up/down, Lumberjack show - 4:30 pm
  • Elevation change 2800 ft. 2 hrs. 

Seymour Moutain : Mt. Seymour Hike: 4 km. 2.5 hours. Elevation change, 450 metres. This busy trail starts near the north end of the top parking lot, traversing Brockton Point and First and Second Pump Peaks. From the summit there is a panoramic view of Vancouver, the lower mainland and, on a clear day, the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island. 



Vancouver Island: Vancouver Island is huge, we saw only a tiny part of it. Speaking with the locals, the remaining places are supposed to be more scenic and serene.


Monday, July 9, 2012

Seattle/BC Day 7 - Seattle

This was actually a buffer day to cover some spill over. We decided to checkout some city views from vista points of Kerry park and Alki beach. Our hotel was right next to Space Needle and a short walk away from OSP.

Walk Map

Olympic Sculpture Park
The park has transformed a nine-acre industrial site into open and vibrant green space for art. This new waterfront park gives Seattle residents and visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of sculpture in an outdoor setting, while enjoying the incredible views and beauty of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. If the sculptures aren't enough to hold your attention, turn your eyes toward the views of Elliott Bay and the distant Olympic Mountains. Down along the water, you'll also find a perfect little beach that was constructed as part of the sculpture park.

Exhibit in OSP

View of Space Needle from OSP
Kerry Park
For one of the best views of Seattle head to Kerry Park, a small park located on the south side of Queen Anne Hill.  A photo from here is Seattle postcard-perfect, featuring ferries crossing Elliott Bay, the city skyline with the Space Needle in the forefront and, if weather conditions are favorable, a view of Mt. Rainier






Alki Beach Park
Alki Beach is the principal tourist attraction at Alki Point. It features sand, saltwater, bungalows, and unique local restaurants. It is generally not a popular swimming beach, owing to the cold waters of Puget Sound. It offers stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and downtown Seattle from all points. Attractions include  a lighthouse and a miniature "Statue of Liberty" - replica of the original!


 
References
http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/OSP/default.asp

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Seattle/BC Day 6 - Sidney, Seattle


Sidney, BC:
Sidney is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island on the Saanich Peninsula - just a 20 minute drive from downtown Victoria.  Sidney is home to the Sidney/Anacortes Ferry Terminal and is just minutes from the Victoria International Airport and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. Sidney is a year-round tourist destination with 3.6 kilometres of waterfront and a bustling downtown core. Our hotel was just 10 minutes away from Sidney downtown.



Pirate at the Sidney beach park
WSDOT Ferry (Sidney, BC to Anacortes, WA)

Our Ferry

Sidney Island

Another WS Ferry in opposite direction

Mt Baker from WS Ferry
References:
http://www.sidney.ca/
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/



Seattle, WA

Columbia Center: At 943 feet, this is the tallest building in Seattle (twice as tall as the Space Needle & Smith tower), with more stories (76) than any other building west of the Mississippi. On the 73rd floor is an observation deck with views that dwarf those from the Space Needle & Smith tower.
 
Smith Tower: This building was the tallest building west of the Mississippi when it was completed in 1914. The observation floor on 35th floor, near the top of this early skyscraper (42 stories), is open to the public and provides a very different perspective of Seattle than does the Space Needle. The ornate lobby and elevator doors are also worth checking out. [ Not sure why the ticket prices are almost same as Columbia Observation deck for half the elevation view ]

Waterfall Garden Park: The roaring waterfall here was much talked about in various websites. The park is built on the site of the original United Parcel Service (UPS) offices and was closed when we went. Spare the walk (it goes through shady areas)

King Station Tut
Seattle Waterfront: Relax here before getting on a sunset sail. The Seattle Aquarium is at Pier 59The popular Water Taxi to West Seattle leaves from Pier 50, Washington State Ferries from Pier 52, and Metro's free Route 99. The waterfront is to Seattle what Fisherman's Wharf is to San Francisco, Stretching along Alaskan Way from Yesler Way, in the south, to Bay Street, Myrtle Edwards Park, and the Olympic Sculpture Park, in the north, the waterfront is Seattle's most popular and touristy destination.




Bainbridge Island: The Bainbridge Island ferry takes only 35 minutes for the crossing. The big car ferries that shuttle back and forth across Puget Sound to both Bainbridge Island and Bremerton leave from Colman Dock at Pier 52. Once on Bainbridge Island, you can wander around the downtown area, where you'll find coffeehouses, restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.This is the pathway to Olympic peninsula - on weekends there is a huge waiting period for vehicle crossings.



Sunset on Bainbridge Island




Space Needle: It looks like a flying saucer on a tripod, and when it was built for the 1962 World's Fair, the 605-foot-tall Space Needle was meant to suggest future architectural trends. Today the Space Needle is the quintessential symbol of Seattle, and at 520 feet above ground level, its observation deck provides superb views of the city and its surroundings. FYI: Columbia deck is almost double this height and provides better views.
 



Walk Map
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/