Repulse Bay and Aberdeen Fishing Village

The free & easy tour I've booked comes with a complimentary Hong Kong city tour.
Overall, it was a good experience except that I vomitted all the way in the tour bus on the way to Repulse Bay. LOL!
Ok, back to the city tour.
We were brought to a resturant for "Tim Sum" at an additional cost which would also include the lunch as well.
Afterwhich, it was the Repulse Bay.
Then followed by a Herbal shop and Jellewery Shop...
Which was really a waste of time but it's always a part of the package.
That's how the agency can earn some commission.
Even onboard the journey, the tour guide would start to bring out some stuffs like Disney keychains, watches, pendants...etc. for sale.
My little advice is NOT to buy even though the tour guide claimed it to be "Genuine."
It is better to buy them at the Disneyland!
They also have the service of helping you to order the famous "Wife biscuits" cakes in Yuen Loong and would sent them to your hotel on your day of departure to ensure the freshness of the bisuits.

Hong Kong Seafood resturant
I can't remember which resturant this photo is taken but this is quite a typical outlook for most seafood resturants.
Where customers can pick out fresh Live seafood.


Ah... our breakfast! Tim Sum...my favourite!


Hong Kong - Repulse Bay 淺水灣



The tour guide told us that many HK celebrities live over here as the "Feng Shui" is very good.
The housing prices here is also one of the most expensive in Hong Kong.



REPULSE BAY
In the year 1841, this bay was used as a base by pirates causing serious concern to
foreign merchant ships trading with China. But they were subsequently repulsed by
the British fleet and hence the name Repulse Bay. Because of the shallow water,
the bay was called Tsin-Shui Wan or Shallow Water Bay in Chinese. The
pronunication of Tsin Shui has another meaning a thousand years and it is also
called The Bay of A Thousand Year - A symbol of Longevity.

The Japanese occipational forces first landed at this bay in december 1941 and
its Governor renamed this bay the green seaside beach because of
the green trees along slide the beach with fine golden sand and blue sparkling
waters since the second world war. The urban council has contrbuted a lot to
improve its amenities and made this into a beautiful holiday and tourist resort.

Hong Kong (Fragrant Harbour in Chinese) was a fishing village in 1841 and was
given this name because it produced fragrant wood plants for sale abroad and served
as a fresh water supply station for ships and wessels going overseas.

This plaqae was unveiled by
Mr. Chan Kang - Fout. J.P. on 25-10-1987
Presented by Mrs Yao Lin Sem-Mei


Sea Peace Park / Kwun Yam Shrine
Built in 1970s.
Statues were mostly funded by the locals.
These statues were believed to protect fishermen at the sea and also bring good fortunes.


Kwun Yam statue


Tin Hau Statue




The Longevity Bridge - By crossing the bridge it's said to be able to add 3 more days to your life.




One can throw a coin into the fish mouth to receive good blessings.








God of Wealth 财神




Jumbo Kingdom and Aberdeen Fishing Village
Entrance to the port.
We each have to pay a HK$55.00 for a sampan ride.
Adults and children the same price.
Highly recommended to take the sampan ride as one can see up close with the Jumbo Kingdom and also the fishing village.

Lots of yachts around here.
The tour guide start to point to this one, then that one and so on... It's own by so and so...blah blah blah...
I wasn't really listening, was rather to be busy with my photo taking.


Jumbo Kingdom 珍寶王國
Built in October 1976
The largest floating resturant in the world.
Decorated in anicent chinese imperial palace style.
Didn't have the chance to board Jumbo but would love to if I have the chance to visit Hong Kong again to try their food.

Back view of Jumbo!


Aberdeen Fishing Village 香港仔水上人家
People living in boats as their homes.








Aberdeen is a unique sightseeing experience and interesting place!
This also marks the end of my half day city tour.
Not bad except that I wasn't feeling well that day.
If given a chance, I would love to visit Aberdeen again!

To Hong Kong...in search for Toys!

Updated Post on 10 December 2009


Singapore Changi Airport


Cathay airplane preparing for boarding to Hong Kong.
The weather was good after a little showers in the morning.
Glad the sun was out and I was so looking forward to visiting Hong Kong.
One of the reasons I chose to visit Hong Kong was to see their toys stores and hopefully get some toys I've been eyeing on.
I've heard from my friends that Hong Kong is a great place to buy toys and with wide selections and prices.


Hong Kong Airport - Arrival


On my 1st day of arrival, it was very misty but the weather is very cooling and pleasant.






Location : Sai Yeung Choi Street (西洋菜街)
MTR Station : MongKong (about 2 mins walk)

Finally, I've reached this place - Sai Yeung Choi Street.
I've been reading so much on the internet about this place, shops full of toys...etc, I was so excited to be there.
As my hotel was near this place, I stroll there.
The first building I visited was CTMA centre (兆萬廣場).
The CTMA centre has many toys stores selling a hugh variety of toys for collections.
It's something similar like the China Sqaure we have in Singapore.







I've only brought a Star Wars Darth Vader Jumbo Chubby in CTMA Centre.
Had imagine I would find lots of Star Wars but I didn't.
But I did have a good time looking at all the other toys.


Godfather guarding!



This pair has left me standing by the window drooling...
Lifesize figure of R2D2 and C3PO! Wow...
Didn't ask for the price because I know it' not going to be in my budget.
Imagine the shipping cost too!


Wow...what a display!
Don't you think this is awesome?


I also visited the Animate and Sino Centre (信和中心).
For Animate (2nd storey), the entrance seemed a little difficult to find.
See the purpish signage on the bottom right hand side?
That's the entrance! Althought it looks something like entering someone's housing apartment!
Sino centre also has many toy shops but mostly on Japanese anime/collectibles.
No star wars was spotted when I was there.
So I would still prefer CTMA.




A book vending machine inside one of the MTR station.
Can't remember which MTR station I saw this.
It's the first time I see something like this.
This author is also very famous and I do like some of her books.


Location : Bute Street 弼街
MTR Station : Mong Kok

Another place near the famous - Goldfish market, is the Bute Street.
At Bute Street, just outside the MTR exit, there's also a toy shop.
Note the green signboard?
That shop also has many different types of toys.
I've brought some tin toys robots from the shop.
Boss is quite polite, but didn't have a namecard so I don't know the name or address of this shop.


Location : Tai Yuen Street (灣仔太源街)
MTR Station : Wan Chai

Tai Yuen Street is also known as Toys Street in Hong Kong.
If you look down the streets at first, you probably only see shops selling clothings, towels, fruits...etc.
But inside, it's a must to visit for toy lovers, walk further in and you'll find many toy stores.
Their prices are also very competitive and very much cheaper as compare to department stores.


Most toys stores hangs swimming bubble floats outside their stores.
If you just stand outside, you'll would have missed the goodies that inside...
Because outside mostly are those balloons, party poppers, ribbons for party...etc.
Walk deeper into the stores, you find all sorts of COOL toy collectibles.
Star Wars, Bleach, One Piece, Thomas and Friends, Ultraman, Hot Wheels, Gundam ...etc.
No wonder it's called the "Toy Streets!"
I brought some die-cast cars and Tin Toy robots.


The shopkeepers here are also very polite and friendly.
Highly recommend "Tai Yuen Street" to buy toys.
Most toys stores at night are jammed pack with people, inside and outside of the shops.
So it might take a little longer time to find something you're looking for.


These are the tin toys robots I've brought from Hong Kong.
I've not post these indiduval robots on my main blog - http://www.astrogalaxy.blogspot.com/ yet.
I'll create a link here later when it's done.

Post Additions on 10 December 2009 :
I've completed updating my Tin Toys posts, for viewing please click here!