Central Travel Guide

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Taxis, Cable Cars and Ferries, Oh My!: A Guide to Hong Kong Transportation

March 4, 2009 at 10:41 AM | by | Comments (0)

For a self-admitted transportation nerd, Hong Kong is dream come true. We just can't decide on a favorite way of conveyance, and thankfully with HK's bounty of trams, ferries, taxis and even a famous chain of escalators, we didn't have to--we rode them all! So for all of you daydreaming of 80-degree days spent hopping between ferries and funiculars on a single "Octopus" transit card, here's our short and saucy guide to the awesome transportation options of Hong Kong:

· Double-Decker Trams and Buses: The former British influence is still felt here, although they've long exchanged afternoon tea for a Starbucks latte. In Central on Hong Kong Island, the slice-thin double-decker trams pile up on commuters for short trips not worth the subway. Tapping your Octopus card also works on these, although during rush hour there's barely enough room to do even that. The buses, which match London Routemasters in size, are a better option for venturing into residential neighborhoods, and routes are clearly presented at each bus stop pole.

· Victoria Peak Funicular: Along with the Star Ferry, this ranks as a seriously touristy thing to do. Still, it's the most unique and direct way to mount Victoria Peak and take advantage of the jawdroppingly steep ascent. Heading up is often crowded, but the descent leaves plenty of room for picture taking and gawking at the skyscrapers below you.

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Heading to Brunch in Soho ... Hong Kong

Where: 70 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong
February 10, 2009 at 9:11 AM | by | Comment (1)

We are far too easily seduced by the offer of french toast and free wifi. Having spent our week in Hong Kong eating various preparations of pork at all the random local places and a select few famous spots, we switched gears to spend our Sunday morning soaking in the universal comforting experience of brunch at the aptly named Brunch Club in the SoHo district of HK.

The more we travel, the better we identify customs which extend beyond borders and languages, and it seems to us that brunch is quickly becoming one of them. It's not just the US that goes bonkers for a bloody mary, blueberry waffle and bacon in the afternoon, but places like Korea have elevated it from a simple Sunday meal into something of a phenomenon. Similarly in China and Hong Kong, brunch has become de rigueur as it allies itself so well with dim sum. For HK's gigantic expat population, brunch is even more embraced as a neighborhood social hour, which is exactly what is going on at Brunch Club.

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