The year was 2015, and we were embarking on a family holiday through Europe. On the way we had a long layover. So, this is how we spent eight hours in Hong Kong.
Jacqui and I had enough Frequent Flyer points to make the journey to Europe in Business Class. So, our adult children and my mum and dad went over in one group, and Jacqui and I followed the next day.
We were fortunate enough to be flying Cathay Pacific, which turned out to be very lucky for us.
We had a rough plan. The plane gets into Hong Kong at 1500 hrs, but we weren’t due to leave until 0100 the next morning. This meant we had a 10 hour window.
Our Guides
I got chatting with one of the stewards on the flight and mentioned that we wanted to do a whirlwind day trip.
Patrick the head steward then called over Melody, one of the other stewards.
He then began to craft out an itinerary for us. I’ve had that itinerary for years, and I wish I could find it now and put a photo of it in here.
While Patrick was writing out the itinerary, Melody was writing out a set of post-It notes. These notes were written in both English and Mandarin, so that we could show the Taxi drivers. It was to save time trying to explain where we needed to go, and it worked a treat.
He also wrote down the approximate costs of transport, which turned out to be remarkably accurate.
The History
Okay, so this is the very short, and not so detailed history of Hong Kong. It’s a series of islands within spitting distance of China. The islands are a part of China.
In the late 1800’s, the British wanted to use them as a base for shipping and commerce. They were granted a 99-year lease on the islands.
For this reason, Hong Kong is very Asian, whilst also having a definite British feel to it.
The islands returned to Chinese rule in the late 1900’s, 1997, I think. This was under an agreement that Hong Kong would sort of be its own place, but still under the umbrella of China.
The basic issue here is that China is Communist, and Hong Kong is not. Since our trip, there has been some issues of strife in the region. This has to do with China wanting to bring Honk Kong into line with their policies. And Hong Kong wanting to remain separate.
Check your governments travel advice before you leave, as you would for any other holiday.
Anyhow, in 2015 we didn’t see any obvious issues.
The Start
We had checked our bags directly through to Manchester, so we didn’t have to worry about them.
Passport checks and immigration took very little time, both because we didn’t have to wait for bags, but also, because we were in business class and got off the plane first.
First step was the Airport Express train, which is inside the terminal. This train took us directly to Hong Kong Station (Central). These trains run every 10 minutes, and the journey takes 24 minutes.
From here we grabbed a Taxi, showed him the post-it note for Victoria Peak, and we were away.
A couple of things struck us immediately about the place.
Firstly, it must be largely crime free. The Taxi driver had all his money on the dashboard. With each denomination held down with a small rock. This stretched over to the passenger side as well.
The only token nod towards security that I could see, was that the big notes were closer to him.
The next was the layout of the place. Hong Kong is, apparently, a mountainous island. Somehow, the jungle has managed to thrive and take over. Incredibly, humans have then inserted a city.
Victoria Peak
The Taxi dropped us off at Victoria Peak and we made our way to the Galleria. Which is basically a shopping mall with a viewing platform on top.
At the time it was 34 degrees Celsius and raining. (Nothing too extraordinary about that in Asia). But it did affect visibility. We still managed to get some great views but could only wonder about what it might have been like on a clear morning.
If you’d like to check out Victoria Peak, here’s a link to their website.
What is a Funicular?
A funicular is a type of cable operated railway, which goes up and down the side of a mountain. Think of it like a railway, that thinks it’s an elevator.
Well, there’s a Funicular that goes from the top of Victoria Peak, down to the city. It is a marvellous piece of engineering, and the carriages feel like they’re a hundred years old. All polished wood and brass.
It also gives you a close look at the jungle and the mountain. It’s still tough to believe that they built a city here.
Today, I imagine we would just bulldoze to mountain into the sea to make a bigger island.
The City
It took us about 30 minutes to walk through the city to get over to the pier. We found that Hong Kong was very busy. But we never felt pushed, hurried or harassed.
For a foreigner it’s also easy to walk around. There are signs everywhere in Mandarin and English.
We didn’t even have a map of the city. But we knew where we needed to go to, and the signs got us there.
Star Ferries
This was probably the only thing I knew about Hong Kong before we got there. I heard that no trip was complete, without a trip on the famous Star Ferry.
And to be honest, I loved it.
Not because it was special in any way. But because I felt like I was a part of history now. When historians write about the legendary Star Ferries and the passengers they carried. That’s me.
Again, they are products of the past. No plastic in sight. Wood and brass. Worn shiny over the decades and polished dutifully.
I don’t particularly like polishing wood and brass, but I love it when other people do.
This ferry took us across the harbour to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Tsim Sha Tsui
This spot has a viewing platform, where crowds gather each night to watch the light show.
The buildings on the other side of the harbour are either fitted with lights, or have lights projected at them.
There’s a soundtrack that’s played, and the lights dance in time with the music.
Thankfully, I have height on my side. So, with long arms and a flip screen I still managed to capture a bit of the show.
It was nice. Not, “Oh my god that’s amazing”, but it was nice.
Mong Kok Ladies Market
It was time to jump back into a Taxi, and head over to the Mong Kok Ladies Market. Also known as the night markets.
These markets are huge, and I’m sure we didn’t see all of them. It feels like there’s not too much you couldn’t get here.
But we’re at the start of our holiday, and we’re backpacking. So now is not the time to be buying souvenirs.
I did get myself a barbequed octopus’ kebab though, and it was delicious.
Then all too soon, it was time to head back towards the airport.
A short Taxi ride took us back to the train station for the journey back to the airport. We arrived back at about 2300. And, as we were already checked in and our bags had been checked straight through. We had a couple of hours to kill before our flight.
Fortunately, because I fly so often for work. I have a high frequent flyer status. This means we had access to the First-Class lounge.
They have showers in there, and they provide towels and all the toiletries. After a hectic afternoon of running around Hong Kong in the heat and rain, it was just what was needed.
Luckily, we always carry a spare change of clothes in our carry-on bags, so we were good to go.
Final Thoughts
Can it be done? Yes.
Would we do it again? I doubt it.
To be honest, Hong Kong deserves a longer look. This will allow you to better soak up the atmosphere, and really get a fuller appreciation of what it has to offer.
Here’s a breakdown of the costs for the day, that I wrote in my diary. Just remember that these are 2015 prices, so you will have to adjust accordingly. Jacqui and I had 1 drink each at Starbucks, so, hopefully that will give you a reference point.
We knew that this wouldn’t be our last trip. So, we viewed it as a taster plate. Just an initial meet and greet if you like.
A couple of years later we went back and enjoyed a 4 day stopover, which was much more relaxing. Again, we were on our way to somewhere else, but the opportunity presented itself, so why not take it.
If you enjoyed this trip, then you might enjoy my post, “A reluctant tourist in Tokyo”.
Here’s a couple more posts, that may help you on your way.
What should I put in my carry-on bag?
13 Tips to handle a short layover
Cheers and happy travels