Gold Coast's Sunday "Carrara Market"

A brief stop-over trip at Hong Kong

If you had a flight experience with Cathay Pacific, you might have ended up thinking whether you should go out of the airport lounge and explore the city of Hong Kong, or not. For me, it happened several times and I was always too tired to bother dragging myself into the tour.

But this time, I had 6 hours! And my new Hong Konger roomie told me 6 hour is just enough to see the city central or Tsim Sha Tsui and come back to the airport.

I heard the airtrain is faster to get to the city but I just wanted to see the scenery and landscape of the city so that I took the double decker bus "A21". (it's called "Cityflyer") and it took me like 40 minutes to the last stop.



It costs $33 HKD which is like $4 something USD. The bus doesn't provide you with change so you should prepare the exact amount of fare or buy the ticket at the booth in advance.

[Check the route of A21 at here]

Luckily, I could sit on the front row of the second deck and it just felt great!

Hong Kong reminded me so much of Korea. I grew up in Incheon which is one of the biggest harbour city in Korea. Hong Kong felt similar in a way that it's got this industrial grey, rusty atmosphere and square shapes everywhere. (but in bigger size and more dreary look)

The city is really interesting. Some of buildings looked really old and like it's gonna fall down very soon. but right next to those torn down apartment, there are fancy shopping malls for luxury goods. People living in those old apartment just put out there laundry hanging outside the window.

And the big big signboards were hanged above the street like those were gonna fall any minute now.

[a guy riding bicycle in between the cityflyers]

I should've got off at "Nathan road" but I was so occupied with sightseeing and I missed the stop. When I came back to my senses, I was already at the last stop "Hung Hom Station"

I was totally lost and it was the rush hour so that I decided to just follow the crowd. After a while I found a signpost to Tsim Sha Tsui!! (After having walked for 5 minutes I guess)

[Little bakery where those office workers were going into get their breakfast]

[the heavenly egg tart]

[Finally here!!!]

It was super humid and cloudy. Shower was expected in any minute.

There were some old guys at Tsim Sha Tsui, trying to fish.

But it didn't seem like working.

Walking along the river for a few minutes, I arrived at "Avenue of Stars". It is like Hollywood's "Walk of Fame" in Chinese version.

[Jackie Chan's hand print]

 [the sculpture looking like the goddess of flim]

 [Peninsula hotel and Tiffany Store]

For me, Two and a half hour was enough just to walk around the Tsim Sha Tsui. Taking 2 hours of traveling back and forth, 4~5 hours are really enough just to get the sense of Hong Kong. 

So if you happen to stop over at this city, get industrious and drag your tired body out to the city jungle. Soon, you will find yourself totally refreshed!

Major Brisbane spots for a half day tour

Off from the work, I decided to take a day trip to Brisbane. By the airtrain at Nerang Station which is about 3~40 minutes away from Surfers Paradise (by 740 bus), It takes an hour train trip to Brisbane.

To explore the city of Brisbane, you can either get off the train at 'South Bank', 'Brisbane South', 'Roma Street', or 'Brisbane center'. In my case, I started from South Bank which has most of the cultural venues of Brisbane. What's good about Brisbane is you can walk to the most places within an hour or two.

The tour course

-> South Bank
    - Grey Street

    - State Library of Queensland 

    - the Gallery of Modern Art

    - Kurilpa Bridge

-> Brisbane Central 

    - Adelaide Street

    - Queen Street

    - Beach House

    - Metro Arts

    - Brisbane City Council

1. South Bank

   1) Grey Street

Grey Street is where you can find the major museum, galleries and exhibition centre. There are nice restaurants and cafes alongside the road so that you will never get bored walking on this street.

2) State Library of Queensland

This was the most beautiful library I've ever seen. I could see the state put so much effort to make the design and architecture distinctive and balanced. Even the desks, book shelves, and the stair case were considered to be an art at this place. 

3) the Gallery of Modern Arts (GOMA)

Simply put, GOMA is like MOMA of Brisbane. I was lucky to spot David Lynch's exhibition on this day. Like most of his film works, I found myself totally stunned and confused at this exhibition. Watching his paintings, short films and photographs, I felt like I was in the middle of nightmare and not sure if I was in a dream or awake. His world exude this dreamlike, fascinating and somewhat uncomfortable moods. 

   4) Kurilpa Bridge

Kurilpa Bridge is only for pedestrians and bikes. It connects South Bank and the central Brisbane crossing Brisbane river. I've heard that South Bank was planned as to look like London and Thames river area. Well, this bridge just adds the most look and feel of it.

1. Central Brisbane

   1) Adelaide, Queen, Elizabeth Street

[Pug lover's shop]

   2) Beach House

[$13.99 Value Lunch Rump Steak at Beach House
(Junction between Elizabeth & Albert Street)]

   3) Metro Arts

Metro Arts is another famous cultural venue of Brisbane. Unfortunately, there was nothing going on until the next day. But I could still take a short tour on this site. It was a beautiful vintage like building.

 4) Brisbane City Council Building

This city council building is a landmark which Brisbane people are proud of. In front of the building, there's a square where street exhibitions are held occasionally.