Missing Hong Kong (27-30 Nov 2014)- Day2

Day 2 (28 Nov 2014)

We scrambled out of bed early to go for an early hike on Dragon’s Back trail so that we can reach Sai Kung in time for the limited sale of its famous custard bun 金牌流沙奶皇包.However, we were unprepared to find a long snaking queue at the bus depot for the public transport to the popular hiking trail.  There were easily 300 or more people in the queue on a Friday morning when in the past I used to encounter just a handful!!  I decided to take a cab instead as it’s only 10 minutes away by car.

4.8km Dragon's Back Urban Trail, HK

The full trail ends in Tai Long Wan (Big Wave Bay) but I didnt have time to do the entire trail this time round

Waiting for bus #9 at the bus depot outside Shau Kei Wan 筲箕湾  MTR Station

Ascending Dragon's Back 龙脊 fr bus stop  near To Tei Wan Village 土地湾村 AFTER Cape Collingson 歌连臣角

This relatively easy trail was voted the Best Urban Hiking Trail by Time (Asia Ed).  The rolling ridges at only 284m high offer panoramic view of Shek O, Tai Long Wan and Tai Tam Bay.  The weather was excellent, cool and the air was crisp but the view a little misty.

Short distance from the start of the trail with a view of Tai Tam Bay 大潭湾

At the summit of  Dragon's Back 龙脊

View of  Shek O 石澳

View from Dragon's Back with Shek O in the background

After the thoroughly enjoyable hike, we spent almost an hour taking the public bus, mtr and mini bus to Hong Kong’s back garden, Sai Kung, in search of my favourite custard bun, 金牌流沙奶皇包 at Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant (全记海鲜馆) along the famous seafront Seafood Street. I was hoping to see that they have done away with their rule of limiting to only one order per customer and for dine-in only but was disappointed that they have not relented on this. Nevertheless, I was happy that we could eat to our heart’s content with a total of 3 steamers or 9 pieces of the oozing custard bun.  The dim sum here is also excellent and of generous serving portions.  

                                      

                                  

Market in Sai Kung

Floating market at Sai Kung Pier

We felt somewhat sleepy after a heavy meal and wandered around the backlanes checking out the many interesting shops. Time flew and it was already well past our intended departure time.  We hurried back to Central to catch the bus to The Peak but it was a mistake to travel in the city centre on a Friday evening during the rush hour.  It took us 1 hour and 10 minutes to arrive at the destination when it should have been just under 30 minutes.  I was lucky to have a seat but the double-decker bus was packed like sardines! By the time we alighted from the bus, I was reeling from motion sickness and it was really too late and dark to attempt my pre-planned hike from The Peak to the dam. 

After catching some fresh air, we decided to head back to tsimshatsui just for dessert before retiring to our hotel.  But we were distracted by the food hall in Pacific Place and ended up with loads of take-away sushi which was on sale after 8pm. 

Despite the long day and lots of walking, I am not at all tired or sleepy and still have time and energy to write this blog.  Can’t say the same for my 2 friends who have long gone to dream land.

Directions to Dragon's Back 龙脊:
Take Island Line 港岛线 to Shau Kei Wan station 筲箕湾
Take Exit A3 and change to Bus #9. U can use the Octopus card to pay for the bus fare HK3.90
Alight at either Cape Collinson 歌连臣角 or To Tei Wan 土地湾bus stop to start the hike
View from Cape Collinson is better as you need not keep turning back to look out for Stanley 赤柱/Tai Tam Bay 大潭湾

Directions to Sai Kung 西贡：
Take the Tseung Kwan O Line 将军澳线 to Hang Hau station 坑口
Exit faregate and turn Right. Outside the building, turn left towards the bus depot and take minibus #101M to the final bus stop in Sai Kung