My latest walking tour will not show you a place in Hong Kong, but rather a time of day. I've done this before with my dusk tour, and I'm interested in continuing to explore new aspects of the city. If you visit the walking tour page, you will find 25 other tours of locations in Hong Kong. This tour will show you what one of the busiest corners of the city is like early in the morning.
I have to leave for work at 6:45 am, when the sky is lightening but the sun isn't out yet.
The street beneath my window, which was full of taxis the night before, is empty.
The floor of the elevator is still wet from being mopped (the building's amah has to go to work earlier than me).
A few other people outside are already hard at work.
The morning pita bread delivery waits outside the Lebanese restaurant.
The lights and shadows are different early in the morning...
...and the streets are quiet.
Most of the shops are still closed.
A few early risers go about their business with me.
Normally busy locations like Pottinger Street are still.
It's that strange time of day when the neon lights have been turned off, but the sunlight hasn't reached between the buildings yet.
The Tsui Wah Restaurant is always open and busy with breakfasters and subdued all-night partiers.
Those partiers have cleared out of Lan Kwai Fong by this time.
I like having the streets almost to myself in the morning.
I don't have to squeeze between huge crowds to cross Queen's Road.
The sky is getting brighter. It looks like it'll be a blue-sky day.
The free papers are stacked and ready for the commuters.
The mannequins are getting dressed and ready for the day.
I pass shuttered locksmiths, vendors and shoemakers.
I get one last glimpse of the growing sunlight before heading into the MTR.
It's the emptiest it will be all day and I get to enjoy the quiet ride.
I love this! Hong Kong at this time and at dusk are my favorites. I can still visualize the pig carcasses piled outside the butchers in Homantin as I walked to work each morning.
ReplyDeleteThis post is so awesome! Thanks. I'm NEVER up that early but now I'm tempted just to see what Taiwan is like at that time of the morning. Thanks for these photos, they really show a different side to the Hong Kong most of us see and expect.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your enthusiastic comments Susan and Kath.
ReplyDeleteI wish I didn't have to get up this early, but it does mean I have the city almost to myself for a little while. I recommend it!
Nice last picture of the MTR. Just an idea, Shannon. You said in your V-Blog that you write a book about your first year in HK. Your walking tours with pictures are very nice. You might wish to explore, via a query, if a Book Publisher will be interested in a Book about "Walking Tours in HK". And ask them to take a look at your blog. There are many travel books about HK, but Walking Tours like yours take the reader into the city in a better way. I have no idea if anyone publish "Walking Tours" books, but its worth exploring .. and you already have so much material. And the book is published you can organize tours in HK following the book. Take a look at the website of
ReplyDeletewww.walkhongkong.com
for a walking tours. Best wishes.
Wow, really cool blog you have hear. The walking tour is a great post--very intriguing to see some snapshots of your life in the big city.
ReplyDeleteThanks for following my blog; I'm following yours as well now. I'll make sure to stop by for more updates and reviews!
Jonathan @ I Read a Book Once...
Giora, I think that's a good idea. I've actually been writing some walking tours for a company that makes guided audio tours for iPhones. It would be great if I could do more things like that even if the book doesn't get published.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog Jonathan. I'm looking forward to reading more of your reviews :).
wow, that was cool! thanks for showing me your part of HK.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the follow, and wow, this post is a really cool concept. I've never been to Hong Kong before so it's great to see a bit of it here. Some lovely photos too!
ReplyDeleteSince I also love to read, I'll keep an eye out for your future posts! :)
Yishi from My Dear Chopsticks! x
Hi Yishi and Little Miss! Thanks for stopping by and I'm glad you enjoyed this post :).
ReplyDelete