Hong Kong for the First Time 🇭🇰 Asia Spring 2024: Part I

‼️
I'm busy as hell lately—new job, traveling a lot, side projects, etc, etc. I am finding it hard to find time to really devote a few hours to writing like I want to. Posts for the foreseeable future may be a bit lighter on the narrative. Stay tuned!

Hong Kong is a place that has oddly enamored me before I even discovered travel.  As a kid, I was fascinated by the now-destroyed Kowloon Walled City and loved Bruce Lee movies despite having no interest in martial arts.

Fast forward 20 years and I found myself discovering that excitement for Hong Kong again.  Hong Kong was our first stop on our 5 country, 3.5 week trip to Asia this past Spring and I left feeling like it was just such a unique city – it's a shame about China.

The Ngong Ping 360 cable car is a great ride up to Ngong Ping Village to see the Tian Tan Buddha.  A massive, towering Buddha statue looking down on Lantau Island.

In addition to the large Buddha statue, the area also features Po Lin Monastery, an obviously Buddhist monastery decorated and designed beautifully.

A look down at Po Lin Monastery from the Buddha.
Looking out at a ferry on Victoria Harbor
Somewhere in Wan Chai

Hong Kong's double-decker street cars were so amazing and historic.  It's a shame that they're all covered in ads.

Taken somewhere in Wan Chai or Causeway Bay I believe. A typical Hong Kong wet market.
The old streets of Hong Kong are so charming.

One of my favorite experiences of the entire trip was taking the funicular up to Victoria Peak.  The views are stunning at the top, especially as the sun sets.  Truly puts Hong Kong's uniqueness in perspective.

This blue building is infamous in Hong Kong – meh.
After three days in Hong Kong it was off to Saigon!