Wednesday 25 December. Christmas Day in KK
I had a lovely Christmas Day in KK - a massive contrast to the UK version. First of all it was sunny and nudging 30 degrees. Second, everything was open and functioning although it was a public holiday.
I started off by going for a brief walk and then breakfast at One Roof Cafe. I opted for a Western option - scrambled eggs, mushrooms, beans plus a huge croissant. It was well-prepared and nice, if not exceptional.
Suitably fueled, I climbed the steps to Signal Hill Observatory Tower.
This was simple enough after all the preparation at Kubah and Bako. The reward is a view over the City but the bad news is it serves to emphasise what an unexeptional city KK is. The view from the Peak does not quite compare with that from its Hong Kong namesake! Anyway, it was something to tick off, as was my next target - The Atkinson Clock Tower.
Dedicated to the unfortunate Mr Atkinson who died aged 28 from malaria in 1902, the tower is one of the very few buildings to survive the second world war. Something of a jewel in the architecture of KK, if something one might skip elsewhere.
The other jewel is what is now the tourist office, right opposite the hotel
I then headed to the sea front via the city hall and war memorial.
Passing by the area where the fishing boats dock, I had another look at the food mall and the boats outside in the harbour.
Immediately next door, I came into a massive indoor market selling meat and veg amongst other lines. As if that wasn't enough, one comes immediately to the Filipino market selling more fruit and vegetables as well as clothing. Outside a line of tailors sat at their machines ready to make alterations.
Carrying on, I went through the night food market and then came to a line of very Western bars. finally I arrived at the vast Imago Shopping Mall with a piano one could not touch, all next to a Marriott Hotel.
From there, the possibility of walking other than along a highway seemed rather limited and I decided to turn back, largely retracing my steps and arriving at the Yee Fung Laksa Restaurant that I'd noted on my way out. The laksa was very good, as I'd hoped having noted how rammed the place was with locals.
By now it was about 4.00 and I went back to the hotel for a relax hour. Then I decided to try out the Grab system for a trip to the railway station that I was really curious about. Grab worked perfectly and the driver came in a few mintes and whisked me to my destination. Not a lot was happening at the station but there were a few staff about and a smart looking train at one of the platforms.
On another trip it eould be fun to take the train for a few hours but I don't really want the stress on the day of a flight tomorrow.
The taxi dropped me back at Jesselton Point, another place on my hit list. It turned out to be a ferry terminal to Brunei and Labuan as well as closer destinations. The jetty affords good views. including in the direction of the setting sun and seemed a generally pleasant spot to hang out for a bit.
Once the sun had set, I headed back again to the hotel, coming across on my way the hard-hitting Vanishing /wall. At least some people care about what's happening.
My final outing took me to the Sin Kee Bah Kut Teh restaurant. I went for a prawn dish and rice, their speciality being pork.I was quickly given a table which I then shared with a couple of locals. The weird thing is locals are made to pay up the moment their food is served whereas Westerners are afforded - for some deluded reason - more trust.
So there were are: three nice Christmas meals and quite a lot of walking and sightseeing. Not to mention a good deal of messaging with friends back home. A very nice day.
I started off by going for a brief walk and then breakfast at One Roof Cafe. I opted for a Western option - scrambled eggs, mushrooms, beans plus a huge croissant. It was well-prepared and nice, if not exceptional.
Suitably fueled, I climbed the steps to Signal Hill Observatory Tower.
Dedicated to the unfortunate Mr Atkinson who died aged 28 from malaria in 1902, the tower is one of the very few buildings to survive the second world war. Something of a jewel in the architecture of KK, if something one might skip elsewhere.
The other jewel is what is now the tourist office, right opposite the hotel
Nearby I found a helpful history of KK which explained a few things to me.
I then headed to the sea front via the city hall and war memorial.
Immediately next door, I came into a massive indoor market selling meat and veg amongst other lines. As if that wasn't enough, one comes immediately to the Filipino market selling more fruit and vegetables as well as clothing. Outside a line of tailors sat at their machines ready to make alterations.
Carrying on, I went through the night food market and then came to a line of very Western bars. finally I arrived at the vast Imago Shopping Mall with a piano one could not touch, all next to a Marriott Hotel.
From there, the possibility of walking other than along a highway seemed rather limited and I decided to turn back, largely retracing my steps and arriving at the Yee Fung Laksa Restaurant that I'd noted on my way out. The laksa was very good, as I'd hoped having noted how rammed the place was with locals.
By now it was about 4.00 and I went back to the hotel for a relax hour. Then I decided to try out the Grab system for a trip to the railway station that I was really curious about. Grab worked perfectly and the driver came in a few mintes and whisked me to my destination. Not a lot was happening at the station but there were a few staff about and a smart looking train at one of the platforms.
On another trip it eould be fun to take the train for a few hours but I don't really want the stress on the day of a flight tomorrow.
The taxi dropped me back at Jesselton Point, another place on my hit list. It turned out to be a ferry terminal to Brunei and Labuan as well as closer destinations. The jetty affords good views. including in the direction of the setting sun and seemed a generally pleasant spot to hang out for a bit.
Once the sun had set, I headed back again to the hotel, coming across on my way the hard-hitting Vanishing /wall. At least some people care about what's happening.
My final outing took me to the Sin Kee Bah Kut Teh restaurant. I went for a prawn dish and rice, their speciality being pork.I was quickly given a table which I then shared with a couple of locals. The weird thing is locals are made to pay up the moment their food is served whereas Westerners are afforded - for some deluded reason - more trust.
So there were are: three nice Christmas meals and quite a lot of walking and sightseeing. Not to mention a good deal of messaging with friends back home. A very nice day.
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