More on HK

I knew I'd love this place the moment I landed here for a quick layover while on the way to Singapore. It was so green! And surrounded by water!

We did exactly what we had set out to do -- eat, hike, shop, sleep; eat, hike, shop, sleep.  Our first night, we ate at a great tapas place near the apartment, Tapeo.  All of the dishes were good, but the standout was a salad of hearts of palm, fennel, olives, and orange slices -- incredibly refreshing in the heat and humidity of Hong Kong. The next day, we set out for more of an urban hike, starting and ending at Peak Tower, admiring the views of the city along the way (and even catching a glimpse of the duckie from way far away). 

The rest of the day was spent doing what many people come to HK to do -- shop. I may have purchased this cute summer dress (on sale!). That night, we treated ourselves to a few things that are hard to come by in Shanghai: burrata (at Pubblico) and the movies (we saw Great Gatsby; if you saw it, what did you think? We liked it!). 

Following the same schedule the next day, we hiked eight kilometers in a more rural setting to Big Wave Beach (whose name is deceptive, in case you were wondering), getting caught in the rain (20 minutes of downpour, really). Despite the weather, our lack of adequate footwear (we were in flops!), and an attack of mosquitoes, it was lovely. And exactly what we needed. 

There was dim sum too, of course. And we went local. Very local. To a restaurant where the carts don't even make it around the room before patrons snatch up dishes like fried turnip cakes and rice in lotus leaves and chicken feet.  

It was great little getaway from Shanghai, and if anyone you know claims hardship in Hong Kong, don't believe them -- it's Manhattan on a tropical island.