Farewell Hong Kong

It is hard to believe I came from this place.

Hong Kong, you stole my heart in unexpected ways.

Farewell, but you will see me again soon.

(now, off to Seoul!)

Dim Sum Anyone?

Of course we went to dim sum in Hong Kong! We went a few times with family, but on one of the mornings we had to ourselves, we made a special trip to this 50 year old establishment in Central for a taste of old Hong Kong.

My friend Ian told us about this place Lin Heung Tea House, and it is famous because it feels like what I imagine 1962 was like when you step inside. It was loud and crowded and you always had to watch behind you because you were blocking the lady with the dim sum cart – and she wants to pass you.

After circling the restaurant, we finally found two seats in a large round table shared by old men reading their daily news, not giving a second glance at Jin and I. I ran up to one of the cart ladies and came back with 5 dishes of dim sum, forgetting that it is only Jin and I eating all this!

I enjoyed that dim sum so much. The food and atmosphere felt authentic. This is the Hong Kong I imagine my parents grew up in.

Lin Heung Tea House: 160-164 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong 852-2544-4556

song birds

I had an unexpectedly busy week away from the computer! I cannot wait to show you what I have I been up to in a little bit, but in the meantime, I'd like to continue to take you through our experiences in Hong Kong.

Jin and I spent a day going through the interesting market streets of Mong Kok. There is a 'goldfish street' and a 'flower street' where an entire street has stores dedicated to selling everything you need to start an aquarium or a garden. My favourite market street was 'Bird Street'. I loved looking at all the colourful song birds and the beautiful wooden birdcages. We were highly considering shipping one of these intricate birdcages home. Maybe we will on our next visit...

Bird Street is also where men come to show off their song birds to other bird owners. I never questioned why some men carried birds in cages around with them wherever they go, I just accepted it from a young age. I like that these men pamper and treasure their little song birds.

Antiques & Treasures

Jin and I had some days to ourselves when my family was at work. On one of those days, we went to Hollywood Road in Central where there are some Chinese antique stores to see, and Man Mo temple. The inside of Man Mo temple was amazing. Unfortunately, they didn't allow any photos inside.

While the antique stores were interesting to see, I had more fun looking through the market stalls on Upper Lascar Row (aka Cat Street). These vendors carried items that were perfect as souvenirs because they were small and affordable. Some items were new, some were old, and some were just made to look old! It is a short pedestrian street, but every time I turned my head, there was something colourful that caught my eye.

visiting our ancestors

My aunts brought us to pay our respects to my other grandfather and my great grandmother up in the mountains, not far away from the city. The sights truly blew me away.

My great grandmother rests in an older style cemetery where they all sit pretty close together and the headstones are all shaped this way. We asked someone to repaint the words on the stone as part of keeping her resting place clean.

This is one of my most favourite places we visited in Hong Kong. It was so peaceful there.

with my grandparents

The first thing we did when we woke up in Hong Kong was visit my grandparents. My parents, cousins, uncles & aunts told me that they have gotten much older, and thought to myself, of course they have. But it doesn't really hit you until you see it for yourself.

I have always liked my grandfather. I remember him as a funny man and 20 years later, he still makes me laugh. He is such a good man. He is nearly 90 and he still takes care of everyone around him. Especially my grandmother who has changed the most because of her health condition. She struggles to do daily things like eating lunch, but he is patient with her every bite. As I watched this, the only thought going through my mind was 'this must be what true love looks like'.

We visited my grandparents a few times over our visit. He took Jin and I for a walk in the park. I love the photograph of my uncle and my grandfather gazing over the pond. Maybe it is because I spent time with them, but I think you can tell just by looking at them that they are father and son.

We're back!

The past 3 weeks flew by for us and we are home already. Our trip was amazing in so many ways, but mostly in the family sort of way. Our little family here in Toronto seems so quiet compared to the ones we have in Hong Kong and Seoul, but lovely all the same.

Among the busy family visits, I still managed to take some photographs. I am excited to battle my jetlag, look through my photos, and hopefully show some to you soon.

In the meantime, I am going to take a cat nap. Hopefully I won't wake up until morning, Toronto time.