Forget Mongkok

Sham Shui Po has a much nicer street market with much friendlier merchants, more honest pricing and more room to move. The selection isn't as great, but it just feels a little more honest than the pushy knock-off vendors in Mongkok.


Michelle and I applied for our visas to visit mainland China today. In stark contrast to the fast, efficient MTR system, the visa application process was a long laborious affair, taking over 2 hours spent mostly sitting around watching a single counter attempt to service around 150 people. Sometimes it seems that the MTR just gets you to the queue faster. Michelle also updated her HK ID card today, another laboured process that saw me fall asleep in the waiting room.

After we finally finished all the paperwork we treated ourselves to High Tea at the Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. It was another stark contrast with the street vendor food we had grabbed in between applications.


After sunset we checked out the view back onto the main island:



We sat and watched the Symphony of Lights, a nightly light show that incorporates the buildings along the coast (I have a video that shows it best). It was pretty cool, if a little tacky. It was fun watching all the ferries jostling for position in the channel. Some of them even seemed to be part of the show, with their lights synchronised to the music too.

We are off on a tour of the New Territories tomorrow, no doubt followed by more shopping. Michelle has only bought 3 bags so far and I am sure there is room for more!