Day 2 in Hongkong

Started drizzling the moment we were ready to head out. Hungry stomachs were not dampened by the drizzle and cloudy skies. From our hostel, we crossed the road and headed north in search of Tim Ho Wan.

Tim Ho Wan opens for business from 10am to 10pm, but they stop taking orders at 8.30pm. The place was easy to find and the queue that was fast building up outside its doors at 9.40am is a sure sign that you've got the right place. The place sits 20 to 30 people and even though we got there pretty early but didn't quite get there in time to be their first batch of customers. Got a queue number and waited for another 45 min (1045am).

First up was their congee. Amazing! Smooth with just the right blend of sweetness and saltiness. Shrimp dumplings ("har gao") and rice noodles ("cheong fun") were wrapped and thin crystal skin. A must try is their signature crispy char siew bao. Instead of the traditional steamed buns, Tim Ho Wan fries them. Crisp and sweet on the top, savory and juicy char siew within and rounded up nicely with the soft bun base.

In all the four of us ordered 15 dishes. Every bite was a piece of heaven. The wait was DEFINITELY worthwhile. The total bill came up to HKD232 which comes up to S$10 per person. Total satisfaction. Cheap and delicious.

Gillian kept insisting on going to a "goldfish market" after breakfast. We got lost and I was close to giving up thinking what can be so fascinating about this "goldfish market". I mean, do we seriously need to see goldfish in Hongkong?!! We did eventually find it and boy was it fun. Endless rows of colorful fish in packets. Aesthetically pleasing to the camera lens. There were also shops selling leopard tortoises and Jurassic Park lookalike lizards (tiny lar, say palm sized. Fucking scary though!) Alongside those aquariums were pet shops with cute puppies kittens guinea pigs. I'm a sucker for colors and cute animals so I was sold. I shall eat my words! Must go if you just want to laugh and take cute photos.

Queen's street for H&M thereafter bought pretty scarves and some clothes... Staying absolutely concious that I already have too many clothes in my bursting wardrobe. And so my perseverance died the moment I stepped foot into giordano ladies and set eyes on this amazing blazer and pants. Pop goes the weasel!

Pour. Like. Crazy. in the evening so much so that rainwater was gushing out of a manhole on the streets. Mad crazy!

Oh I must add we also had the best egg tarts in town (also recommended by lonely planet) over at Tai Cheong bakery on 32 Lyndhurst Tce. I was the lucky one out of the four who got egg tarts fresh out of the oven. At HKD5 a tart, the egg tarts make you want to go back for more. Wobbly middles and crumbly crusts. I'm going back for more tomorrow!!!

The rest if the day was spent roaming around ladies market and mongkok.

Note to self: yummy fried squid at corner shop on the right of the end of ladies market. HKD15 a packet. Ryan will eat until die. Mad love!

Travel mates made good effort to stay out with me till 12 midnight! There is hope in the world!!!

Tsim Sha Tsui for Avenue of Stars walk and star ferry followed by dim sum at Maxim palace tomorrow! Yay. More dim sum!