Asia Trip 2012 - Day 2 in Hong Kong

Up at 8 am, and ready to go!  Weather forecast predicted a high of 30 degrees Celsius (86 deg Fahrenheit), but I still packed a pullover in our day pack in anticipation of chilly air conditioning indoors.  We enjoyed a leisurely and filling noodle soup breakfast at Three Sixty, a supermarket with a food court, then ventured out.

First tourist destination of the day: Victoria Peak.  We caught the MTR subway, which brought us from Kowloon to Hong Kong station in 8 minutes; then walked 10 minutes to Exit J-2, the closest outlet to the Peak Tram terminal.  Although we joined the tram queue early enough (10 am-ish) to miss the huge crowds, it was our initiation to being "packed like sardines" that would characterize our visit to every busy area we visited around town.  Our ascent to the peak was fast and fun -- roller-coaster-like -- on the 150-year old tram, which thankfully replaced the grueling "travel up the steep mountain by sedan chair" practice of the late 1800s.  

We descended after soaking in the impressive (but hazy) view, in time to miss the lunchtime rush. I was feeling a little congested from the pollution by then,  but not enough to don the surgical masks that we brought with us.  Even though the light blue nose coverings are a common sight around here -- understandably so, considering the persistent haze -- I couldn't bring myself to wear one.  We walked westward on busy Queen's Road to the Central - mid-levels escalators, which took us up the Soho district for lunch at Soho Spices, a Thai-Vietnamese place that we'd recommend on Elgin Street.

Other places we explored that day:
Man Mo Temple, which helped fund the first free schools for underprivileged children in the country.
The antique district along Hollywood Road and its side streets, with fascinating dynasty-era wood and wood carvings, and Communist period memorabilia, including Chairman Mao's red book.
Tsim Sha Tsui on Kowloon, where we savored awesome Peking duck at Peking Garden with family, then ooh'd and aah'd at the Symphony of Lights and strolled through the Avenue of Stars along the waterfront.

A good full day!