Hong Kong - Day 1 (Golden Bauhinia Square - Hong Kong Art Centre)

Hokkaido has always been on our travel bucket list, and now we are finally going. Since there is no direct flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to New Chitose Airport (CTS), we decided to make a stop in Hong Kong for two nights. We purchased a return ticket from KKIA to HKIA with Air Asia (RM 972.71 per person) and a return ticket from HKIA to CTS with Cathay Pacific (RM 3,019.88 per person).

We were notified the night before that our flight would be delayed for two hours. So we left home at 9.15am via Grab (Grab fare - RM 14). When we arrived at the airport, we found out that the flight had been delayed for another 30 minutes. Since we had plenty of time, we decided to relax and enjoy breakfast at McDonald's. I ordered porridge, while my partner had the sausage and scrambled egg sandwich with hash brown and iced Milo. I didn't enjoy my breakfast much because the porridge was too thick and the shredded chicken didn't taste very fresh.

(Total bill - RM 23.60)

McDonald's KKIA

Sausage & scrambled egg sandwich with hash brown & Milo and McDonald's porridge - RM 23.60

We were finally allowed to board the aircraft at 11.25am. While boarding, Air Asia made up for their delay by giving everyone a box of McDonald's nuggets (6 pieces) and a cup of Coke. Unfortunately, the nuggets were cold and no longer tasty. Our plane departed at 11.45am and we arrived at HKIA at 2.40pm. The plane came to a final stop 15 minutes later, and we had to take the Automated People Mover (APM) to the immigration station.

On the plane, the cabin crew distributed an arrival card for us to fill out. We waited more than 30 minutes at immigration, and by the time we collected our luggage from the baggage reclaim hall, it was already 4pm. At the immigration, they returned our entry card and issued us a visitor permit slip. I felt that the immigration officer was a bit harsh because after the verification, she just threw the passport on the table for me.

Complimentary nuggets and Coke from Air Asia

Hong Kong arrival card

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)

Automated People Mover (APM)

Automated People Mover (APM)

HKIA baggage reclaim hall

After exiting the arrival hall, just follow the bus signs. For me, the public bus is the most convenient way to reach our hotel in Hong Kong. This time, I decided to stay on Hong Kong Island and I chose the Burlington Hotel in Wan Chai. We took the Cityflyer A11 (HKD 41.90 per person), a double-decked bus with air-conditioning that stops at Luard Road; Hennessy Road (total of 9 stops). The journey took about an hour and the hotel was conveniently located right in front of the bus station. Keep in mind that you must ring the bell in advance to notify the bus driver of your stop. The bus will not stop unless you ring the bell. We finally reached Burlington Hotel around 5.30pm and the temperature was sunny yet cooling at 22℃.

Follow the sign "To city"

Follow the sign "Bus"

Cityflyer A11

We decided to have our early dinner at Joy Hing Roasted Meat, just a 9-minute walk (650m) from Burlington Hotel. The shop was small and cramped, so we ended up sharing a table with a lady. After she left, a couple came and joined us. They were very friendly, and we started chatting while enjoying our meal. The couple, both locals, were there for the innards, which we don't particularly like. They also recommended a place that serves suckling pig, which they really enjoy.

We ordered a plate of roasted goose rice and a plate of three treasures that come with BBQ pork, soy sauce chicken and roasted duck. We also added a plate of roasted pork, not realizing we could have included it with our rice. The restaurant offers free-flowing hot water, but my partner decided to order a glass of iced milk tea. The milk tea tasted average to me. Not too sweet, but it wasn't smooth or silky enough for me. Overall, the food was fine but didn't leave a lasting impression. I only enjoy the roasted pork, which has a crispy skin and pairs well with their hot mustard sauce. The roasted duck tastes better than the roasted goose, but there wasn't much meat on the duck. The chicken was served as chicken wings, which I found a bit underwhelming. However, I did enjoy their rice, which was soft and fluffy.

(Total bill - HKD 237)

Joy Hing Roasted Meat

Three treasures come with BBQ pork, soy sauce chicken and roasted duck - HKD 42

Roasted goose - HKD 55

Roasted pork - HKD 120

Hot mustard sauce

Milk tea - HKD 10

Address:

Joy Hing Roasted Meat

G/F, Flat C, Cheung Hing Building,

265 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai,

Hong Kong

Opening hours: 9.30am to 10pm. Closed on Sunday

After dinner we walked to Golden Bauhinia Square, which is about 1km from Joy Hing Roasted Meat. It was nice to stroll in the cool weather. The forever blooming Bauhinia Sculpture is a gift from the Chinese government to mark the handover in 1997. There were a few tourist buses, and everyone was crowding around the sculpture to take photos. Not far from the Golden Bauhinia Square is the Wan Chai Waterfront. We saw many people jogging, and the wind was really strong along the waterfront.

Golden Bauhinia Square

Wan Chai Waterfront

Address:

Golden Bauhinia Square

1 Expo Dr,

Wan Chai,

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Art Centre is about an 11-minute walk from the Golden Bauhinia Square. Unfortunately, there wasn't much to see inside during our visit, as there was no exhibition on at the time.

Hong Kong Art Centre

Hong Kong Art Centre

Hong Kong Art Centre

Hong Kong Art Centre

Hong Kong Art Centre

Hong Kong Art Centre

Hong Kong Art Centre

Address:

Hong Kong Art Centre

2 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai,

Hong Kong

Opening hours: 8am to 11pm

Dessert is a must before we end the day. So we walked to C Dessert and there's a short queue outside, but it moves quickly. We ordered their signature longan sorbet with nata de coco, a chocolate banana croffle and black sesame glutinous rice balls in ginger soup. It took them some time to prepare the croffle. The longan sorbet with nata de coco was refreshing, not too sweet and unlike anything we had tried before. The portion was small, which is how we ended up ordering two more desserts to satisfy our cravings.

I wasn't particularly impressed with the croffle because it wasn't crispy enough, and the strawberries were a bit sour. The ice cream was creamy but had a slightly buttery taste. As for the black sesame glutinous rice balls in ginger soup, it was a bit on the sweet side. The glutinous rice balls were soft and chewy, though the skins were slightly thick.

(Total bill - HKD 112)

C Dessert

Longan sorbet with nata de coco - HKD 46

Chocolate banana coffles - HKD 38

Black sesame glutinous rice balls in ginger soup - HKD 28

Address:

C Dessert

Shop 1D, G/F, Newman House,

35-45 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai,

Hong Kong

Opening hours: 1pm to 11pm

On our way back to our hotel, the temperature had dropped to 17℃, and we spotted two owners crossing the street with their three giant poodles. It was a charming sight to end the night.

Spotted three giant poodles