Everything I loved about Hong Kong - David Sylvia
Study abroad, January - June 2007.
Above all, I learned...
Who I am. I'm gonna get deep real quick. This was my first time traveling overseas. This was my first time being somewhere where English was not the native language. This was my first time being an ethnic minority. This was the first time where my grades weren't being recorded. This was my first time where every part of my identity was not only more apparent, but challenged. Yes, I learned a lot about Hong Kong politics and influence from mainland China, Eastern philosophy and its differences from my Western upbringing, and how to stomach a whole lot of flavors and smells that I was NOT expecting. But, this trip was so much more than discovering Hong Kong; it was about discovering me. I learned which parts of myself really mattered to the world, and which parts of myself really mattered to me.
Where to stay...
For HKU students: Starr Hall was the shit when I was there.
For HKU students: Wei Lun Hall was my home, which was...fine.
$$ Citadines Mercer Hong Kong
$$ Ovolo 286 Queen's Road Central
$$ Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island
$$$ The Pottinger Hong Kong
$$$ The Shangri-La Hotel
Where to eat...
The Brunch Club
The Flying Pan
Jashan
Nha Trang
Yum Cha
City Hall Maxim’s Palace
Luk Yu Tea House
Dim Sum Library
Yardbird
Uma Nota
Ho Lee Fook
CHINO
Mother Of Pizzas
Pirata
22 Ships
Burger Circus
Limewood
Smile Yoghurt & Dessert Bar
Hui Lau Shan
Mammy Pancake
Oddies Foodies
Where to drink...
Ladies' Nights - women drink for free or deep discount:
Tuesday: Soirée
Wednesday: Rummin’ Tings, Ophelia, Oolaa
Thursday: Cé La Vi, Otto Lounge, Rude
Saturday: Solas
High-end:
Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour
The Chinnery
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana
Quinary
Stockton
Lan Kwai Fong - expat bar district
Lily & Bloom
Woobar
Boqueria
The Pontiac
Old Man
65 Peel
Red Sugar
Mizunara: The Library
The Globe
What to do...
Victoria Peak - hike (walk up) from the western side
Ocean Park - aquarium + amusement rides
Lamma Island - hiking and seafood
Tian Tan Buddha - aka Big Buddha
Deep Water Bay beach - quiet
Repulse Bay beach - big
Clearwater Bay beach - gorgeous, but remote
Victoria Park - pro & amateur tennis tournaments
Monkey Mountain - hike in Kam Shan Country Park, home to macaque monkeys
Hong Kong Sevens - international rugby tournament at Hong Kong Stadium
Hong Kong Soccer Sevens - international soccer/football tournament at Hong Kong Stadium
Happy Valley Racecourse - horse racing by Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Victoria Harbour - charter a boat and watch the laser display (Symphony of Lights) at 8pm
or, watch the Symphony of Lights from the Tsim Sha Tsui side of the harbor
Tai O - fishing village