Map of Hong Kong Park
Now experienced tram users, we took one to Hong Kong Park the following morning. This large, free park sprawled up the hillside next to the Peak Tram terminus, and it was a steep climb from the tram stop. We headed first for the conservatory, which wasn’t huge but did have two distinct areas, dry desert and humid tropical (the latter surprisingly cold). Next were the the aviary cages, but these were disappointing as the thick metal grid really obscured our view of the occupants.
The Edward Youde Aviary
However the park’s crowning glory was the Edward Youde Aviary, a vast enclosure with a walkway elevated 20ft above the ground. This enabled us to view the free-flying birds close up, at last gave me a sighting of the rare Bali starling that I’d failed to see in Lembongan.
The beautiful Bali Starling
Sadly we had only got halfway along the walkway when the heavens suddenly opened and it poured down – even though we had macs we had to run for the exit and shelter. When the rain eased a little we walked off to find the Tea Museum, but it started coming down heavily again, this time with thunder. Unfortunately only half the Tea Museum was open because of renovations, and really it was just a teapot collection, but at least it was dry in there.
In the Tea Museum
As we left the Tea Museum the rain came down again so we ducked into the Stone Calligraphy Museum – ie a museum of stone chops, which was less than fascinating. With the weather showing no signs of improving we decided to call it a day and heading back down to the road. We had to wait ages for a tram and were completely soaked through by the time one came. We grabbed sandwiches from Circle K on the way back to the hotel, and spent the afternoon in our room, our wet clothes draped on every available surface. It was still raining in the evening so we ventured no further than Uncle 4 for fried udon noodles.
Central Hong Kong in the gloom
It was so wet and cold the next morning that we stayed in the room, venturing no further than the basement Wellcome supermarket for pot noodles for lunch. When the rain stopped in the afternoon we walked east towards Causeway Bay, just strolling the streets in a random fashion.
In Causeway Bay
We ended up in Times Square mall where the shops were far too expensive for us, but we spent quite a while in the Samsonite shop getting to grips with the desirable features of modern luggage. Dinner was going to be sushi, but we stopped at the much cheaper Mos Burger instead with the intention of trying one of the dessert restaurants round the corner – but when we got there the offerings were just too weird.
Street in Causeway Bay