Hong Kong 2007 – Heading Home – 5 March 2007 & The Langham Place Hotel

The Journey Home
Our holiday was finished. On arrival at Hong Kong Airport we went through the formalities for checking our bags through to Glasgow and made our way to the gate lounge. As with the outbound journey, we were flying with British Airways, using World Traveller Plus between Hong Kong and London Heathrow (Terminal 1), and the domestic service between London Heathrow (Terminal 1) and Glasgow. Unlike the outbound long haul flight, we were not upgraded.

Hong Kong (HKG) Gate 15 departing at 01:10
Heathrow T1 (LHR) Gate 153 arriving at 06:20
Travelling in a Boeing 747-400, registration G-BNLR in seats 19A and 19B

Heathrow T1 (LHR) Gate 176 departing at 08:30
Glasgow (GLA) Gate 19 arriving at 09:50
Travelling in an Airbus A319, registration G-EUPN in seats 05A and 05B

Dawn from G-BNLR
5 March 2007

The Langham Place Hotel, Mong Kok
When we first visited Hong Kong, we followed our Travel Agent’s recommendation for the hotel to stay in. We like it so much, we requested we stayed there again. Once again, it did not disappoint.

“Red Guard – Going Forward! Making Money!” in the street lobby of the Langham Place
24 February 2007

5th Floor Reception Area
24 February 2007

The rooms featured a glass wall between the en-suite bathroom and the bedroom. Blinds are provided for privacy. I think the idea is to allow you to watch the TV whilst lying in the bath.

Langham Place Room & en-suite bathroom.
24 February 2007

There are many excellent places to eat in Hong Kong, however we did eat occasionally in the hotel, which features a chocolate fountain counter.

Evening Meal at Langham Place
3 March 2007

Evening Meal at Langham Place
3 March 2007

Chocolate Fountain Counter
3 March 2007

The elevators are in the south-east corner of the building meaning that two of them have glass panels enabling the view of Shanghai Street in Mong Kok to emerge as it rises.

Elevator view to Shanghai Street
4 March 2007

And so to the final packing for our bags to be picked up for the journey home.

Bags Packed and ready to go.
4 March 2007

More pictures from heading home and of the Langham Place Hotel

• Langham Place Hotel – 24 February to 4 March 2007
• Heading Home – 4/5 March 2007

Hong Kong 2007 – Sunday in Hong Kong – 4 March 2007

Our last full day in Hong Kong, however we had already spelt our last night at the Langham Place as our flight was scheduled to depart at 01:10 on Monday morning. With an evening check out organised, we headed out on the MTR to Central Hong Kong to attend the English language service at St John’s Cathedral, before taking our final trips on the Trams, the Star Ferry and the MTR.

Tower of St John’s in the trees
4 March 2007

You have to wait a long time to see a tram without any advertising out in, although there are some.

Hong Kong Tram 32 [Plain Livery]
4 March 2007

Hong Kong Tram 14 [JobsDB.com livery]
4 March 2007

Hong Trams 109 [Folli Follie] and 143 [NARS]
4 March 2007

On the Star Ferries, we got to Hung Hom on Day Star, returning to Central Pier on Solar Star, before our final Star Ferry trip on Northern Star. Amongst the other ferries seen was special liveried Morning Star was also seen.

Day Star at Hung Hom pier
4 March 2007

Solar Star approaching Hung Hom pier
4 March 2007

Morning Star in Victoria Harbour
4 March 2007

Golden Star leaving Tsim Sha Tsui pier
4 March 2007

It was then back to the MTR for our final journey of the holiday.

Tsim Sha Tsui station
4 March 2007

MTR route map above train door
4 March 2007

On arrival at the Langham Place, we packed, checked out and waited in the Langham Club Lounge for our transfer to the airport.

More photographs from 4 March 2007

• Hong Kong Trams – 4 March 2007
• Star Ferries – 4 March 2007
• MTR – 4 March 2007

Hong Kong 2007 – Trip to Tung Chung – 3 March 2007

Following yesterday’s tour round Lantau, we decided to go back to the island, specifically to Tung Chung at the east end of Ngong Ping Gondola Cable Car. Using our Octopus Cards, we heading done to Tsim Sha Tsui on the MTR, across Victoria Harbour to Wan Chai on a Star Ferry, and then on the MTR Tung Chung Line from Hong Kong.

But before heading out to Tung Chung, we took the Star Ferry Harbour Tour on Silver Star.

Looking across Victoria Harbour to Central Pier
3 March 2007

Star Ferry Harbour Tour from Wan Chai
3 March 2007

Silver Star Brass Maker’s Plate
3 March 2007

Looking east across Yau Ma Tei, with the Langham Place in the background
3 March 2007

Hung Hom Ferry Pier
3 March 2007

The Star Ferry routes to Hung Hom ceased at the beginning of April 2011.

Returning from our Harbour Tour, we made our way to Hong Kong station, the eastern terminus on the Tung Chung line.

Tung Chung route above train door
3 March 2007

At Sunny Bay station, the short line to the Disneyland resort starts.

Eastbound train at Sunny Bay station
3 March 2007

At Tung Chung, we walked out to the Plaza with integral fountain.

Tung Chung Plaza Fountain
3 March 2007

Warning Sign at Tung Chung Plaza Fountain
3 March 2007

After enjoying the sun, and an ice cream each, we headed back to our hotel, changing at Lai King from the Tung Chung line to the Tsuen Wan line to reach Mong Kok station.

More photographs from 3 March 2007

Star Ferries and Victoria Harbour – 3 March 2007

Trip to Tung Chung – 3 March 2007

Hong Kong 2007 – Lantau Island Tour – 2 March 2007

Another early start for a day trip to one of the largest islands in the Hong Kong archipelago, Lantau. Situated to the west of Hong Kong Island, just south of Hong Kong Airport. Our day took in Cheung Sha Beach, Tai O fishing village and Po Lin Monastery, the location of the Giant Buddha, before returning on the Ngong Ping 360 gondola cable car.

Pick up was at our hotel, taking us to the pier where the ferry would take us to Mui Wo ferry pier on Lantau in Silver Mine Bay, where we encountered a green pillar box.

First Ferry III at Mui Wo Pier
2 March 2007

Green Pillar Box at Mui Wo
2 March 2007

The first stop the bus made on the tour was at Upper Cheung Sha beach. It seemed quite weird, living in Central Scotland, paddling in warm water at the beginning of March.

Upper Cheung Sha Beach
2 March 2007

Upper Cheung Sha Beach
2 March 2007

Passing along the dam of Shek Pik reservoir, we headed to Tai O fishing village. At Tai O we saw the fish market, Kwan Tai Temple and parts of the harbour.

Tai O Fishing Village
2 March 2007

Tai O Fish Market
2 March 2007

Kwan Tai Temple, Tai O
2 March 2007

Tai O fishing boats
2 March 2007

Leaving Tai O, we heading back towards Shek Pik reservoir, before turning into the hills towards the Po Lin

Shek Pik Reservoir
2 March 2007

The tallest buddha in Asia is at Po Lin, and it is with anticipation that we awaited our first glimpse. This was also the location of the lunch stop.

Tian Tan Buddha
2 March 2007

Lunch at Po Lin Monastery
2 March 2007

The coach was to pick us up at Tung Chung, close to Hong Kong Airport, to get there we used the Ngong Ping Gondola Cable Car.

The last view of Tian Tan Buddha
2 March 2007

Ngong Ping Cable Car
2 March 2007

Hong Kong Airport from Ngong Ping Cable Car
2 March 2007

Once we arrived at Tung Chung, we had a few minutes to buy souvenirs prior to boarding the bus that took us back to our starting point in Kowloon.

More Photographs from 2 March 2007

• Day Trip to Lantau – 2 March 2007

Hong Kong 2007 – Thursday in Hong Kong – 1 March 2007

The only booked activity we had for this day was a evening meal at the Revolving 66 Restaurant followed by a night time cruise on a junk in Victoria Harbour.

We spent the morning checking out the various Star Ferry routes and the recently opened Central Pier 7, used by the Star Ferries. On our previous visit to Hong Kong (in October 2005), the Star Ferries were using the old Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier, which they moved from in November 2006. We then spent some time along the Harbour front of Tsim Sha Tsui. Our evening activity included a pickup at the Kowloon Hotel (in Tsim Sha Tsui) to take us the restaurant on Hong Kong island. After the junk cruise, we were dropped off at Tsim Sha Tsui so we could take the MTR back to our hotel.

As always, we took the MTR from Mong Kok to Tsim Sha Tsui. Our first Star Ferry trip took us from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central Pier.

Northern Star
1 March 2007

Silver Star [1965] Plaque at Central Pier
1 March 2007

The busiest route is Central Pier to Tsim Sha Tsui, however we took the other route form Central Pier, to Hung Hom on the Kowloon Peninsula

Northern Star at Hung Hom Pier
1 March 2007

Our return to Tsim Sha Tsui was via Central Pier, were we stopped for a snack, and bumped into a friend form Glasgow who was in Hong Kong for a stop-off from her honeymoon in New Zealand.

Day Star and Night Star at Tsim Sha Tsui
1 March 2007

Central Pier from Tsim Sha Tsui
1 March 2007

The Tsim Sha Tsui ferry terminal is adjacent to the former site of the Kowloon and Canton Railway terminus. Although the line has been cut back, the clock tower remains.

Kowloon and Canton Railway Clock Tower
1 March 2007

We then went for a stroll along the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour

Victoria Peak from Kowloon
1 March 2007

Junk and Star Ferry in Victoria Harbour
1 March 2007

A busy Victoria Harbour from Kowloon
1 March 2007

Before our evening trip back to the island we headed back to our hotel to drop off souvenirs. Later on, is was back on the MTR to make our way to the Kowloon Hotel, were the coach picked us up for the transfer to the Revolving 66 Restaurant on Hong Kong island. During our meal we got various views of Hong Kong, including Happy Valley Racecourse and Victoria Harbour.

Happy Valley Racecourse from Revolving 66 Restaurant
1 March 2007

Hong Kong Central from Revolving 66 Restaurant.
1 March 2007

Tsim Sha Tsui from Revolving 66 Restaurant.
1 March 2007

Once our meal was finished we went back to our coach which took us to the Junk which would take us for a night-time cruise around Victoria Harbour.

Hong Kong by night
1 March 2007

Hong Kong by night from a Junk
1 March 2007

We were dropped off at a Tsim Sha Tsui pier from where we walked to the MTR and our train back to Mong Kok.

More photographs from 1 March 2007

• Star Ferries – 1 March 2007
• Victoria Harbour on a Thursday afternoon – 1 March 2007
• Hong Kong by Night – 1 March 2007

Hong Kong 2007 – Day Trip to Macau – 28 February 2007

Whilst Hong Kong went back to Chinese control in 1997, Macua remained in Portuguese control until 1999.

Another early start due to the time of the ferry from Hong Kong Central pier, however in this case we were picked up at our hotel.

Ferry from Hong Kong at Macau
28 February 2007

Statue of the Goddess Kum Iam
28 February 2007

A-Ma Temple, Macau
28 February 2007

Making Pastelaria Pun Veng Kei (Golden Egg Biscuits)
28 February 2007

“No. 1 Selling Souvenir in Macau”
28 February 2007

Jade Ornaments in Macau
28 February 2007

Ruins of St Paul’s in Macau
28 February 2007

St Dominic’s Church, Macau
28 February 2007

As it was just past Chinese New Year, there were decorated floral displays

Year of the Pig display
28 February 2007

Year of the Pig display (with a rooster)
28 February 2007

More pictures from 28 February 2007

• Day Trip to Macau – 28 February 2007

Hong Kong 2007 – The Land Between – 27 February 2007

The Land Between refers to the “New Territories” between Kowloon and the border with mainland China. This tour took us to the Yuen Yuen Institute, Tai Mo Shan (for the second day in a row), Fanling Walled Village, Luk Keng Road Lookout, Brides Pool Falls and the Sam Mun Tsai Fish Farming Zone. In the evening we went to see the light show over Hong Kong from the Avenue of Stars.

Our pick up was at the Salisbury Hotel, so we had to get to Tsim Sha Tsui. Because of the pick up time, we used the MTR towards the end of the peak meaning there were marshalls on the platform at Mong Kok.

MTR Marshalls at Mong Kok 27 February 2007

The Salisbury Hotel is next door to the renown Peninsula Hotel.

Peninsula Hotel Fountain 27 February 2007

So onto the tour and the first stop at the Yuen Yuen Institute.

Yuen Yuen Institute 27 February 2007

Yuen Yuen Institute 27 February 2007

The next stop we had also been to on the previous day, however the haze at Tai Mo Shan had dispersed allowing better views.

Tai Mo Shan Country Park Sign 27 February 2007

Shek Kong Airport from Tai Mo Shan 27 February 2007

Looking North from Tai Mo Shan 27 February 2007

The Fanling Walled Village is typical of Chinese villages, which were surrounded by a wall.

Temple outside Fanling Walled Village 27 February 2007

Entrance to Fanling Walled Village 27 February 2007

Luk Keng is at the end of Starling Inlet and looks across to mainland China.

Looking to Guanluxia from Luk Keng along Starling Inlet 27 February 2007

Looking across Starling Inlet from Luk Keng towards Sha Tau Kok 27 February 2007

Heron in flight at Luk Keng 27 February 2007

Heading away from Luk Keng (and the Chinese Border, the tour took us Brides Pool Falls. Recent dry weather meant there was not much water flowing over the falls, however signs warning visitors of flash floods.

Brides Pool Falls 27 February 2007

Brides Pool Falls 27 February 2007

The final stop on the tour was at Sam Mun Tsai Fish Farming village.

Sam Mun Tsai Fishing Village 27 February 2007

We returned to our hotel for a freshen up prior to heading out for a bite to eat and to seen the light display from the Avenue of Stars.

Hong Kong Light Show from Avenue of Stars 27 February 2007

Hong Kong Light Show from Avenue of Stars 27 February 2007

More pictures on Tuesday 27 February 2007

• Kowloon – 27 February 2007
• The Land Between – 27 February 2007
• Light Show at Victoria Harbour – 27 February 2007

Hong Kong 2007 – Cultural Heritage Tour – 26 February 2007

Monday dawned, and another tour was booked. This one was titled the “Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong”, taking in the Chuk Lam Shim Yuan Buddhist Monastery, going up Tai Mo Shan (Big Hat Mountain) seeing the panoramic view of La Chuen Valley and Tin Hau Temple, before finishing at Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall. We concluded the day back down at the Avenue of Stars.

The tour pick up point was the Kowloon hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, so armed with our Octopus Cards, we got the MTR from Mong Kok.

The first stop was at the Chuk Lam Shim Yuan Buddhist Monastery, which houses the 3 largest “Precious Buddha” statues in Hong Kong.

Chuk Lam Shim Yuan Monastery
26 February 2007

Chuk Lam Shim Yuan Monastery
26 February 2007

Returning to our transport, we were taken to Tin Hau Temple, near Tai Po.

Tin Hau Temple, near Tai Po
26 February 2007

Tin Hau Temple, near Tai Po
26 February 2007

The tour took us deeper into the New Territories, with a stop at Tai Mo Sha (Big Hat Mountain), were we got a (hazy) panoramic view of Lem Chuen Valley and Shek Kong airport.

Lam Chuen Valley
26 February 2007

The final stop on the tour was the Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall (built in 1525), next to which is the walled village of Lo Wai.

Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall
26 February 2007

Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall
26 February 2007

Gardens of walled village Lo Wai
26 February 2007

After the tour, we went back to the Avenue of Stars at Tsim Sha Tsui.

Avenue of Stars
26 February 2007

Hong Kong Island from Tsim Sha Tsui
26 February 2007

More photographs from Monday 26 February 2007

• Cultural Heritage Tour of Hong Kong – 26 February 2007
• Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall – 26 February 2007
• Victoria Harbour on a Monday afternoon – 26 February 2007

Hong Kong 2007 – Sunday 25 February 2007

With nothing booked on our first Sunday in Hong Kong, we made our way to Hong Kong Island, having a quick look at St John’s Cathedral on the way to the bottom station of the Victoria Peak Tramway. After a visit to the Victoria Peak, we headed back to the central district of Hong Kong to look at the trams prior to getting the MTR back to Mong Kok. In the evening, we headed back to the Avenue of Stars at Tsim Sha Tsui overlooking Victoria Harbour.

As our hotel was located in Mong Kok (where we could see the target on the hill that aircraft landing at the old Kai Tak airport used to lie up), we walked to the Mong Kok MTR station and obtained Octopus Cards which enabled us to use the public transport around the territory.

Kai Tak Airport Target
25 February 2007

Mong Kok Street Scene
25 February 2007

Reaching Central MTR station, our train terminated and we walked to St John’s Cathedral. On this Sunday, we had missed the English language service.

Interior of St John’s Cathedral
25 February 2007

It is located amongst the high buildings in the Central District, however there are trees around it (which we pictured when we attend the English service the following week).

Tower of St John’s in the trees
4 March 2007

So onto the bottom station of the Victoria Peak tramway.

Tram leaving Peak Tramway bottom station
25 February 2007

The tramway works as a funicular railway, with two 2-car trains.

Peak Tramway
25 February 2007

At the top we got views across Victoria Harbour to Kowloon, and to our hotel on Mong Kok.

View from Victoria Peak
25 February 2007

Langham Place from Victoria Peak
25 February 2007

There are also local sights to see.

Viewpoint at Victoria Peak
25 February 2007

We returned back to the Central District, taking the Peak Tram back down,

Peak Tram arriving at top station
25 February 2007

Being a Sunday, the Central District was busy, as for many workers this is their only day off in the week.

Central District Market
25 January 2007

Fast Food Hong Kong Style
25 February 2007

Along the north side of Hong Kong island is a busy tram system.

Trams at Sheung Wan
25 February 2007

We headed back to Kowloon and Mong Kok on the MTR.

MTR route map in train
25 February 2007

In the evening, it was back to Tsim Sha Tsui on the MTR for an evening meal and see the illuminations of Hong Kong from the Avenue of Stars on the Kowloon side.

Hong Kong Illuminations
25 February 2007

Avenue of Stars
25 February 2007

So back to Mong Kok, where we pictured a Golden Pig erected in the Langham shopping centre as part of Chinese New Year decorations.

Year of the Golden Pig, Mong Kok
25 February 2007

More pictures from 25 February 2007

• Mong Kok – 25 February 2007
• St John’s Cathedral – 25 February & 4 March 2007
• Victoria Peak – 25 February 2007
• Hong Kong Sunday – 25 February 2007
• Victoria Harbour on a Sunday evening – 25 February 2007

Hong Kong 2007 – Island Tour – 24 February 2007

On our first full day, we took an Hong Kong Island Tour featuring Man Mo Temple, Victoria Peak, Aberdeen Harbour and Stanley Bay. Whilst still getting over the jet lag associated with the journey east.

For this tour, the pick up was in the street level lobby of our hotel, the Langham Place in Shanghai Street in the Mong Kok area near Boundary Street. Following pick up we were taken to where the tour was to start. Whilst waiting to the tour to start, we were treated to some Kowloon Health and Safety.

Kowloon Health and Safety
24 February 2007

The tour bus took us through the Cross Harbour Tunnel to our first stop, the Man Mo Temple in Hollywood Road.

Interior of Man Mo Temple, Hollywood Road
24 February 2007

Exterior of Man Mo Temple, Hollywood Road

From here we were taken to the bottom station of the Victoria Peak tramway, for the trip to the top.

Peak Tower Station
24 February 2007

The stop gave us time to explore around the top station on the Peak Tramway, including getting an ice cream prior to being picked up.

Chinese Lion at Victoria Peak
24 February 2007

From Victoria Peak we headed to the south of Hong Kong Island and Aberdeen Harbour. This is the location of the waterborne Jumbo Restaurant.

Aberdeen Harbour
24 February 2007

Onward along the south coast of Hong Kong Island took us to Stanley Bay. I guess we were expect to make purchases in the market, however there are also view of the bay when you walk a bit round the bay.

Stanley Bay
24 February 2007

More pictures from 24 February 2007

• Kowloon Health and Safety
• Man Mo Temple
• Victoria Peak
• Aberdeen Harbour and Stanley Bay