Hello Kowloon!

My family and I went to Hong Kong for my sister’s birthday last weekend.  We boarded the plane from Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark and had a two-hour travel going there. Upon arriving at the Hong Kong International Airport, I was amazed on how the entire structure looked like. Obviously, it was far better looking than the one where we came from. The airport is very spacious, the restrooms are clean, and the entire building has many shops that it looked like a mall in itself.  And not to discount the fact that the entire place is covered by free WiFi!

Although the place is stunning, I noticed something when we were passing through the immigration: Chinese employees hardly ever smile, or talk. I don’t know if they’re just not very fluent in English or it’s a cultural thing that makes them look stiff. I found this one drastic difference between Filipino and Chinese immigration officers. And it sure does play a big part on tourists like me.

We met with Jenny, the tour guide from the travel agency we had. After she gave us the itinerary for the next three days, we boarded a bus and we were dropped in our hotel.  I we stayed in Guang Dong Hotel along Prat Avenue in Tsim Tsa Tsui district of Kowloon. It was a very nice hotel however I still felt the stiffness of the hotel personnel like the immigration officers from the airport. I hope this doesn’t come as a racist or discriminating remark but I think the hoteliers in the Philippines are more beautiful (not that I mind a lot).
 

Prat Avenue is a street that is teeming with restaurants. They have McDonalds, Thai, Vietnamese and even Japanese restaurants. For that day’s lunch we ate at The Executive Lunch, a Korean restaurant.

And. The. Food. Was. Heavenly.  

After we placed our orders via a long process of sign language, we were served a trio of what looked like kimchi, toge, and kangkong. My mom and I (brother and my sister ate at McDonalds) pigged out on the kangkong which seemed to be steamed and oiled with sesame oil. Our orders came after a few minutes. I had spicy squid with vegetables (50 HKD) and my mom had spicy pork (40 HKD). I know it doesn’t really look aesthetically pleasing but it was the best meal I had so far from a Korean restaurant. The rice was really, really good. It felt soft and light in your mouth. On the side, we ordered kimbab the Korean version of maki (40 HKD) which was also equally satisfying.

It seems so ironic but we ate in this Korean restaurant for a good couple of times even though we’re in Hong Kong. My mouth still waters when I imagine these food.