Continuing from where I left off from Day 1, where it’s just about exploring Mong Kok and Tsim Tsa Tsui, the second day starts off with travelling all the way to Tung Chung primarily for Lantau Island via Ngong Ping 360.
I was so tired from the previous day that I literally dragged myself out of bed to get ready, thankfully the morning weather in Hong Kong is very refreshing so travelling was much better, the cooling breeze really woke me up.
I was also glad I brought an extra pair of shoes for travelling because my Malindi Crocs are dying on me.
The soles are totally gone, and somehow wearing it for too long makes my feet ache. I love my Puma’s better now, screw you Crocs hehehe.
We had a simple healthy breakfast down Nathan street, just fish congee with some yau char kway. A bowl of simple fish congee isn’t cheap though, it costs 16 HKD per bowl and the yau char kway costs 4 HKD each. But that’s Hong Kong, the price might be higher but the portion is bigger too so you’re getting what your money’s worth.
Getting to Tung Chung isn’t hard at all, just consult the MTR system map and you’ll be fine as it’s all over the MTR stations with tourist attractions highlighted on it too. So if you’re clueless as to where to go, the tourist attraction feature would definitely be a good recommendation.
From Mong Kok which is in the Tsuen Wan line which is in red, go all the way to Lai King and then interchange to the Tung Chung line which is in orange, go all the way till the Tung Chung stop and voila you’re there. Morning’s are usually busy in MTR stations so travel at your own discretion.
Once you’re in Tung Chung, there are several signs around directing you to the Ngong Ping 360 cable cars, or the Citygate Outlets Mall. I will talk about Citygate Outlets Mall in a bit, so from the Tung Chung stop, just follow the signs and you will eventually reach Ngong Ping 360.
Since I was there during the Labor holidays, the crowd there was ridiculous.
Well the packages for the cable car rides varies, we took the Ngong Ping Cable Car Experience package which costs 142 HKD per person, whereby we would go on the normal cable car once and the Crystal Cabin once. During the purchase of the tickets, you are required to decide whether to ride up using the standard cable car or crystal cabin.
We took an hour to get to the ticket counter, and another 30 minutes or so to get to the boarding gates of the cable cars. Seriously, if I wasn’t on a holiday mood I’d be really stressed and frustrated but since it’s a holiday let’s all just relax, have fun and be merry. 
I’ve been on quite some cable cars so this one is just blehhhh but it’s definitely better than Langkawi’s because it’s bigger and much more comfortable. The weather might be cooling but it’s so damn cloudy and hazy, very bad for photography. Evidence will be shown in upcoming photos, plus the windows of the cable cars are dirty too. And as we got higher it gets hotter too as it is nearing noon. 
Because of the H1N1 outbreak in Hong Kong, the cable car authorities made it a point to clean and wipe the cable car every time a group exits their ride. Several sterilizing liquid and sprays are used, so you’re guaranteed a clean ride.
The ride took about 20 minutes or so, which provided ample time for you to enjoy the view around. In my case, the view is good but would be better if it’s less dusty. The cooling wind blowing into the ventilation pocket of the cable car was awesome, very nice and refreshing. 
Overlook of HKIA, couldn’t get a proper shot because of the hazyness and also the dirty windows. 
Just when you thought that the crowd is only at the bottom, wait till you go up. Once you reach the top of the cable car station, you will enter into a Chinese cultural village which is called the Ngong Ping village that consists of souvenir shops, cafes, and restaurants. There’s even Starbucks too, but for 41 HKD for an ice blended drink, I’d prefer to keep my money in my pocket.
The main attraction of Lantau Island is the Giant Bronze Buddha, and we have to climb 268 freakin’ steps to get to the Buddha. Seriously, 268 steps is fine but under the hot noon sun, it can make you stress to digress.
So I whipped out my umbrella, and while Hugo was snapping around I also had to carry his damn tripod. And while he basks under the hot sun, I shared my umbrella with him like some sort of assistant holding the umbrella shading him, sigh the things I do.
Don’t get me wrong, the cooling breeze has always been there but when you’re up this high, the sun’s heat definitely kills the cooling breeze, especially when you are walking 268 steps up and all around.
Another typical touristy picture. I’m quite happy to visit Lantau Island actually, I’ve seen this place enough in movies and series but to be here is quite an experience. Although I didn’t enjoy the crowd accompanying me here, I’ve never been a fan of crowds, the sea of people gives me a whiplash. 
This is the best place to sit ever, it’s at the top of the steps and further up the platform after another series of stairs. The stone floor was ice cold and I even bought myself a 12 HKD bottle of 500ml Minute Maid to enjoy the moment.
Syokness.
But as usual, whenever we stop to rest Hugo would always do all sorts of camera setting changes, hence the porter comes into the picture.
This was before we adjourned down the 268 steps, this set of stairs is reserved for special purposes, probably feng shui ? Funny thing to see that both of us were standing on top and people were doing there prayers and kao tows, as if they’re praying to us.
We walked all the way back to the Ngong Ping village near the cable car station and looked at the shops around, we eventually decided on Euro Go Go, a Western Italian fast food restaurant and mainly because I’m so enticed with their Hawaiian Pizza.
The food there is pretty reasonable, the Hawaiian Pizza costs 60 HKD and it’s really good! The ham is very sweet and the cheese was plentiful, plus the crust was slight crunchy especially on the burnt edges. And I love any food that has pineapple in it, fried rice, curry, pizza you name it. I’d definitely go there for food again.
Plus at the time I was there, it was so crowded till we had to sit by a teeny tiny table by the door, so we’re not the only one who enjoys the food.
Hugo ordered his all time favourite Carbonara and it did not disappoint. It costs 38 HKD and the pasta in Euro Go Go is served in an aluminium packet and it is indeed hot, as in smoking hot. Like just out of the pan kinda hot.
Too bad no pictures were taken because the hungry fish decided to chow in before doing his blogger prayers.
After lunch, we went for a show at the Monkey’s Tale Theater in the Ngong Ping Village. Seriously, I thought what’s the hoo-haa about the show and to my dismay it was just an animated cartoon of 3 stupid monkeys who gets electrocuted whenever they want to obtain a peach from a monkey god statue. Seriously, a wasted of 36 HKD per person so be warned do not watch it, go buy yourself another pasta from Euro Go Go better. 
By the time we decided to head home it was already late noon, and most of the crowds have already left the top therefore waiting for the cable car down was just a moment.
We decided to go on the Crystal Cabin on our way down as the queue to ride it up was freakin’ long therefore we diminished the idea.
The Crystal Cabin got it’s name is because, as you can see from the picture of me sitting on the deck of the cable car it is made out of clear glass therefore you can see what’s below you.
Once we reached the ground, this is where I will talk about Citygate Outlets Mall as I mentioned earlier. For those who love shopping and discounts, please head to Citygate Outlets Mall. The mall is damn big so there’s no way you will miss it. As the name implies, it’s all factory outlets where by you can find brands like Nike, Adidas, The Body Shop, Sony, Laura Ashley, Puma, Samsonite selling their products at ridiculously reduced prices. I even got myself a Puma watch originally priced at 640 HKD but discounted to 480 HKD.
I’ve actually been surveying about this particular watch in Malaysian stores and it’s all standardized at RM 368, so to get it at RM 240 in Hong Kong is definitely a good bargain.
We went back to our hostel to freshen up and rest before heading out for dinner. Our plan for the night was to go to the Avenue of Stars, since we were there too early before nightfall. We were walking around Nathan Road and then somehow we ended up at Pak Hoi Street and we saw an array of stalls around, better known as Dai Pai Dongs.
Without any idea of what to eat, we just sat at the nearest stall and ordered whatever the boss recommended to us with consulting about the price of course.
Since the portion served to other customers were quite huge, we limited our dishes to two and chose fish and vegetable, the stalls were just like any normal hawker stalls in Malaysia, just that the Chinese Tea served is free. 
This one tasted normal, although the broccoli was very chunky for my liking, it isn’t bite size. Using corn starch in vegetable dishes isn’t my liking either, this dish costs 38 HKD. Just for vegetables. 
The boss recommended this Lai Mao fish, and within the first bite I started squirming. The meat texture is like of sardine but with a certain muddy scent to it. Hence the name Lai Mao, which means Muddy Cat in Cantonese. Not my type of fish either, but I was too hungry to complain so anything warm and filling for dinner goes. This plate of fish was 48 HKD and grand amount for our dinner was 89 HKD. Not cheap at all for stir fry, two dishes only can.
After dinner, we took the MTR from Mong Kok to Tsim Tsa Tsui and boy was it windy in Tsim Tsa Tsui. Immediately once I stepped out from the MTR station, I put on my jacket because the wind was so strong and cold! Plus the Avenue of Stars was very crowded too, since it’s a Saturday night.
One thing made me really surprised was, three months back I went to Langkawi and I saw this family of four from some European country at the Geopark and when I was sitting alone waiting in the cold for Hugo to take photos, I met the family again! I never would’ve recognized if it was only the father and son, but when I saw the mother and the little daughter with the curly sandy blonde hair and big blue eyes, I was like whoa fate is definitely real.
I recognized them, but I didn’t say anything to them, who knows I might be wrong and the cold made me lose my senses. 
I waited for almost 2 hours for that guy to photograph every building across, in the cold! Wish I could’ve got myself a hot cup of Starbucks, but wallet forbids.
Seeing the Hong Kong night view was very relaxing, the Avenue of Stars is like Penang’s Gurney Drive except that it has better view, better wind that doesn’t stink and a great person to share it with although the person would often abandon me for his camera and only consults me for test shots and the water bottle!
The symphony of lights was beautiful too, the lights of the major buildings across would flicker and dance, very nice to watch. 
We went home as two very drained and tired beings, with blisters and strains. The cold wind made me a little feverish and I opted to get some fruit drinks from the nearby 7-Eleven. Day 2 was alright, we travelled quite extensively but the plan for day 3 is about twice the level of the first two days as we will cross the ocean, go up and beyond. 
♥ Wendy



















































