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This one took quite a bit of work to put together but I finally got it done.

Hope you enjoy the last post for this segment. We really had an amazing trip and are truly thankful for Uncle Elmond and Aunt Shermaine for allowing us to stay with them for as long as we did in Hong Kong. Also big thanks to the rest of Chantelle’s HK family for their hospitality and kindness.

More blog posts to come as I review the Conrad Maldives, present my top picks for places to eat in Hong Kong and much more!

Photo Highlights

Day 19 – Tuesday April 1, 2014

Most of my birthday was spent on the plane as we took a red eye from Male, Maldives to Singapore and then over to Hong Kong. Despite all that travel, Chantelle still managed to surprise me with a visit to the Peninsula Hotel for afternoon tea. To round out the day, we spent some time in HK and mainly in my favorite mall, Sim City and then meeting up with Chantelle’s friend Ronald in LKF.

A vivid sunrise as we touch down in Singapore.

Catching Bus A12 back to Aunt and Uncle's place. — Catching Bus A12 back to Aunt and Uncle’s place.

For my birthday, Chantelle surprised me with a visit to the Peninsula Hotel and my very first afternoon tea!

The famed Peninsula Hotel from the front entrance. Notice the Bentleys in front dropping guests off. Baller!

Intricate ceiling work inside the Peninsula.

Afternoon tea platter. Don't underestimate the food here. We were so stuffed after all of these. — Afternoon tea platter. Don’t underestimate the food here. We were so stuffed after all of these.

Thanks for such an awesome birthday surprise babe!

Chatted with some of the musicians on the balcony.

For dinner we found ourselves in MK and we randomly found this noodle/HK style restaurant. Even simple things like wonton noodles taste so good.

Baked pork chop rice. It ain't pretty but it was totally legit and tasty. — Baked pork chop rice. It ain’t pretty but it was totally legit and tasty.

Once we got home, I was surprised with a muffin, candle and gift from Uncle Elmond and Aunt Shermaine! Thanks guys!

Day 20 – Wednesday April 2, 2014

We didn’t have too much planned for Wednesday so we just kind of rolled with the punches. Since Coffee Alley was something we always wanted to try and knew about their infamous line ups, we tried to make it there early but didn’t get there until shortly after 11AM. The first seating was already full so we ended up waiting 45 minutes before getting in. My friend Caleb was able to join us for lunch so it was nice to catch up. From there, we took a walk around the convention center which I thought would be fancier but turned out to be just really a ginormous convention center. Facing the water though was a touristy area in the Golden Bauhinia Square and a nice lookout into Kowloon. It was 4PM at this point and ended up at Sheung Wan after to try out Sinmea Tea. With no real dinner plans, Chantelle called up some friends and one was able to meet up for drinks. Looking through Michelin’s HK list and OpenRice we eventually landed on 1968 – An Indonesia restaurant which had good food but at a price. After that we walked over to LKF and had drinks to Ronald at the Hong Kong Brew House.

Since we didn't have too much planned for Thursday, we figured this was our chance to get in line for Coffee Alley in Causeway Bay. We waited about 45 minutes for our table since we missed first seating at 11AM. — Since we didn’t have too much planned for Thursday, we figured this was our chance to get in line for Coffee Alley in Causeway Bay. We waited about 45 minutes for our table since we missed first seating at 11AM.

At a minimum everyone needs to order a drink. I ordered the Iced Viennese Coffee using Japanese Nel drip.

Chantelle ordered the tea fruit juice jug. Loved the juice and even came with an iced slice of lemon.

I ordered the bbq pork loin sandwich. A little messy to eat but wow was it good.

Chantelle ordered the cheese croissant with ham.

Caleb worked close by in Wan Chai so I asked him to join us. It was great catching up with Caleb.

Golden Napoleon Mille-feuille - basically a napolean cake but extremely light, fluffy and not super sweet which was nice. — Golden Napoleon Mille-feuille – basically a napolean cake but extremely light, fluffy and not super sweet which was nice.

BEFORE: Ice Cream with Cotton Candy & Espresso

AFTER: Ice Cream with Cotton Candy & Espresso

After pouring all the espresso on top of the cotton candy. Not THAT amazing but definitely bonus points on creativity. The cotton candy basically hardens into small chunks of caramel + ice cream floating in espresso.

After Coffee Alley, we subwayed over to Wan Chai to check out the Convention Center. I totally thought it was an opera house this whole time.

Out the back there's a large square called Golden Bauhinia Square and I believe this was one of the gift's from China as part of reunification. — Out the back there’s a large square called Golden Bauhinia Square and I believe this was one of the gift’s from China as part of reunification.

None of that was really impressive until we looked around and looked at all the crazy scaffolding around the convention center.

Our first Mobile Softee spotted. Had to get a cone!

Open Rice had Sinmea Tea in Sheung Wan rated highly so we thought we'd try it out. It's a Japanese matcha tea house, cutely decorated and very snug. It's also on the 5th floor of a non-descript building. — Open Rice had Sinmea Tea in Sheung Wan rated highly so we thought we’d try it out. It’s a Japanese matcha tea house, cutely decorated and very snug. It’s also on the 5th floor of a non-descript building.

My matcha green tea had honey, almonds and some flowers on it. I think it was the Matcha Soul. The bitterness of the matcha isn't too overpowering which is good. Light sweet tones from the honey is nice. — My matcha green tea had honey, almonds and some flowers on it. I think it was the Matcha Soul. The bitterness of the matcha isn’t too overpowering which is good. Light sweet tones from the honey is nice.

Chantelle's green tea. Can't remember which one this was but we found it was a bit too bitter. We would've ordered some food but we were so full from Coffee Alley still. — Chantelle’s green tea. Can’t remember which one this was but we found it was a bit too bitter.
We would’ve ordered some food but we were so full from Coffee Alley still.

We've spotted a whole bunch of these littered around the city. — We’ve spotted a whole bunch of these littered around the city.

Our craving for Nasi Goreng is finally fulfilled with dinner at 1968, an Michelin recommended Indonesian restaurant.

Soft-shell crab roll which we thought was pretty average. Could barely taste the soft-shell crab in there.

After dinner we went over to LKF for a beer at Hong Kong Brew House to meet up with Chantelle's friend, Ron. — After dinner we went over to LKF for a beer at Hong Kong Brew House to meet up with Chantelle’s friend, Ron.

Day 21 – Thursday April 3, 2014

Tim Ho Wan is not to be missed. Now that they have locations all around HK and Kowloon, there’s no excuse to NOT go. I was a little worried that I over-hyped the place to Chantelle but she’ll back me up in saying it was some of the best dim sum we had during the whole trip. We debated intensely whether we should go to Lamma Island or not since it was raining cats and dogs all morning but towards the end of dim sum, the rain seemed to be letting up. We could’ve pushed Lamma Island to another day but that would require some juggling and some cuts. So in the end we decided to take a gamble and head to Lamma as planned. With luck on our side, we actually didn’t get rained on at all. Lamma was a perfect half day trip as all we wanted to do was hike from Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan. An already packed day right? Well we went even further, had some fish ball noodles in Causeway Bay before going up to the rooftop bar, Sugar, in Tai Koo. Boom!

I've been raving about Tim Ho Wan ever since I went in 2012 and since then they've opened up more shops all over HK. North Point was the closest to us so this was our chance to have some of the best dim sum in town. — I’ve been raving about Tim Ho Wan ever since I went in 2012 and since then they’ve opened up more shops all over HK. North Point was the closest to us so this was our chance to have some of the best dim sum in town.

And oh boy we were not disappointed. I still argue this has to be some of the best dim in Hong Kong. We were drooling all over.

BBQ Pork Bun/Pineapple Bun hybrid. SO DAMN GOOD!

Siu Mai is usually pretty meh for me but this was completely fresh, hand-made and juicy.

For the amount of food we had, this was a steal! 25 bucks between the two of us.

Tim Ho Wan storefront. This location had way more space than the old MK location.

From there we rushed over to Central to make it to whatever ferry was leaving for Yung Shue Wan of Lamma Island. We made it just in time for the 1PM ferry.

View of Hong Kong island from the super fast ferry.

We make it to Lamma Island in 30 minutes flat. Water villas greet our arrival.

The three smoke stacks are the coal power plant which produces almost everything that powers Hong Kong.

What really stuck out on Lamma Island was the amount of expats that lived here. We saw a few on Cheung Chau but I swear over half the people on the streets were expats here. Even the local streets like the one you see here were very much expat influenced.

The main Tin Hau temple on the Yung Shue Wan side of Lamma Island.

Eventually we figure out where our trail begins to get to the other part of the island. The markings are really quite poor.

Along the way we find a little tofu pudding stand run by a grandpa and grandma who have apparently been here for 40 years. Delicious bouncy tofu pudding!

Along the hike you're transported to lush jungles and fields. — Along the hike you’re transported to lush jungles and fields.

Pitstop at one of Lamma Island's beaches along our trail. — Pitstop at one of Lamma Island’s beaches along our trail.

Midway through the hike you're rewarded with spectacular views of the curves that make up Lamma Island. — Midway through the hike you’re rewarded with spectacular views of the curves that make up Lamma Island.

This part of the hike was my favorit with its scenic mountainous views.

Eventually we arrive to the other side - Sok Kwu Wan — Eventually we arrive to the other side – Sok Kwu Wan

Kamikazee Tunnel - During the Japanese occupation apparently their plan was to hide speedboats in these tunnels to launch at Allied ships kamikazee style. — Kamikazee Tunnel – During the Japanese occupation apparently their plan was to hide speedboats in these tunnels to launch at Allied ships kamikazee style.

Before our ferry back to Central, we grabbed a quick small dinner at one of the restaurants. Fried rice here.

Obligatory "Welcome to Lamma Island" shot. — Obligatory “Welcome to Lamma Island” shot.

Still feeling a little hungry and with Chantelle craving fish balls, she took me to her favorite fish ball noodle restaurant in Causeway Bay

After that we went home to change and then head back out for the rooftop bar - Sugar. — After that we went home to change and then head back out for the rooftop bar – Sugar.

The views from Sugar. Not quite what I was thinking of but with this being in Tai Koo, it makes sense you won't get views of Tsim Sha Tsui. Still nice out here though. — The views from Sugar. Not quite what I was thinking of but with this being in Tai Koo, it makes sense you won’t get views of Tsim Sha Tsui. Still nice out here though.

Day 22 – Friday April 4, 2014

A super low key day for us. We spent lunch with Aunt Shermaine and then Chantelle and I went to do our own things. After going to Sim City the first time, I had my eyes sight on a hiking camera backpack by f-stop which I was surprised to see. I ran the calculations at home and converted to Canadian, it was actually cheaper in Hong Kong. So made my own trip after lunch to MK to make my purchase and a few other small accessories for the f-stop bag. After, I met up with Chantelle in Central to catch bus 15 up to the peak. Last time in Hong Kong, I didn’t have a tripod and since I brought one this time, I really wanted to shoot up there again. After a quick shoot up at the peak, we grabbed dinner at Tsui Wah. The original plan was to go clubbing in LKF on this night but Chantelle’s friend wasn’t really up for it so instead of having to go back home to change and head back out, this gave us time to head over to Kowloon to shoot the Hong Kong skyline and Causeway Bay.

Lunch at Crystal Jade Restaurant in Times Square with Aunt Shermaine for Shanghainese food.

This was a cool dish. They give you a type of ham, cucumbers, dried bean curd type of thing and a bun and you sandwich it up.

After lunch we went for some Portuguese tarts at this Macanese restaurant.

And to finish it off, some authentic Gui Ling Gao from Hung Fook Tong to help with my "hot air". — And to finish it off, some authentic Gui Ling Gao from Hung Fook Tong to help with my “hot air”.

For the rest of the afternoon, I was on my own in MK to buy my f-stop Loka bag. After that I met up with Chantelle in Central to catch a bus up to The Peak.

Brought my tripod along this time. Got up to The Peak in time to catch the light show as well.

We hadn't had Tsui Wah all trip so this was our chance. — We hadn’t had Tsui Wah all trip so this was our chance.

Since I had my tripod with me, we figured we'd do all the tripod stuff in one day. We headed back to TST via Star Ferry and got to do some shooting of Victoria Harbor and the clock tower. — Since I had my tripod with me, we figured we’d do all the tripod stuff in one day. We headed back to TST via Star Ferry and got to do some shooting of Victoria Harbor and the clock tower.

Took this right before they kicked us out of the upper platform at 11PM.

Quick shot of the clock tower and culture center as the security guard is trying to kick us out.

I had some grand plans of shooting light streaks in Causeway Bay and thought I had a great spot for it but this wasn't the camera for it nor did I have the filters sadly. These shots were all pretty plain in the end. — I had some grand plans of shooting light streaks in Causeway Bay and thought I had a great spot for it but this wasn’t the camera for it nor did I have the filters sadly. These shots were all pretty plain in the end.

Day 23 – Saturday April 5, 2014

Family tour day of the Wishing Tree and Sai Kung. After that we changed and headed over to LKF for clubbing at 7th Heaven.

During our stay in HK we had the privilege of playing with uncle and aunt's dog Goldie. — During our stay in HK we had the privilege of playing with uncle and aunt’s dog Goldie.

He wasn't a fan of me at first but eventually warmed up to me with my awesome belly massages. — He wasn’t a fan of me at first but eventually warmed up to me with my awesome belly massages.

Chantelle's family wanted to take us out on the weekend so Uncle Ryan and family took us on a tour of this Wishing Tree area. — Chantelle’s family wanted to take us out on the weekend so Uncle Ryan and family took us on a tour of this Wishing Tree area.

The locals use this orange powder thing as the sugar with the tofu pudding instead of syrup.

The original wishing tree under rehabilitation.

Wishes hanging on the fake wishing tree to replace the real one.

Chantelle's attempt 1 of 8. — Chantelle’s attempt 1 of 8.

A wider view of the wishing tree grounds. Super touristy.

After the Wishing Tree we drove to Sai Kung which worked out because we were thinking about coming here anyways. This was a snack that was sold on the street that we tried. Not quite my favorite. — After the Wishing Tree we drove to Sai Kung which worked out because we were thinking about coming here anyways.
This was a snack that was sold on the street that we tried. Not quite my favorite.

Since this was the weekend, there were a ton of people out including dogs and their owners. Like dog like owner?

All the good food seemed to be crammed in the narrow side streets of Sai Kung.

Seafood restaurants line up the street facing the water in Sai Kung.

We eventually landed on this HK-style restaurant for some lunch.

After lunch we head over to the public pier to check out all the action.

Lets just say I snapped ALOT of photos during our hour by the pier.

Thankful we got to visit Sai Kung because we were thinking about cutting it out of our itinerary.

For dinner we headed back to Central to have dinner at this Korean BBQ place which was a bit average.

You could totally just club out on the streets in LKF.

7th Heaven - the club we ended up at for most of the night. — 7th Heaven – the club we ended up at for most of the night.

Day 24 – Sunday April 6, 2014

Late lunch at Tai Hing after sleeping in.

Feeling lazy, we stayed in and tried to teach Goldie how to fetch.

For dinner we went to another one star Michelin rated restaurant, Ho Hung Kee

Ho Hung Kee is well known for their wonton noodles.

Looked really plain but this fried noodle was really good.

BBQ pork bun - more traditional style compared to Tim Ho Wan but was still very good. — BBQ pork bun – more traditional style compared to Tim Ho Wan but was still very good.

White Snow combo was a winner. My mango and cream roll was so-so.

Day 25 – Monday April 7, 2014

Macau day! One day was truly enough as Macau isn’t that big but since we got a late start, we didn’t quite have enough time to explore more casinos. Nevertheless we did get 1 hour of gambling in so it wasn’t too bad! 9:45AM ferry out and 12AM ferry back home.

I originally thought we'd just cab it from the terminal but after seeing all the free shuttles to the casinos, I figured it'd make even more sense to just shuttle to the Venetian and then cab it from there to save money. — I originally thought we’d just cab it from the terminal but after seeing all the free shuttles to the casinos, I figured it’d make even more sense to just shuttle to the Venetian and then cab it from there to save money.

Our first stop was Rua do Cunha in Taipa Village where all the food is at.

Right on the first corner of the street is one of dozens of Koi Kei's scattered all around Macau. Good thing for us was that meant a lot of places to grab samples. Here are some fresh almond cookies ready to be packaged and sold. — Right on the first corner of the street is one of dozens of Koi Kei’s scattered all around Macau. Good thing for us was that meant a lot of places to grab samples. Here are some fresh almond cookies ready to be packaged and sold.

We went to write our post cards and a little girl playing with her dad handed us these bubbles her dad had made for her. Totally old school Chantelle said and super sweet of the girl.

Sizing up the Ruins of St. Paul's. — Sizing up the Ruins of St. Paul’s.

Seng Cheong crab congee is classic in these parts and even though Chantelle doesn't like congee, we thought we'd give it a try. — Seng Cheong crab congee is classic in these parts and even though Chantelle doesn’t like congee, we thought we’d give it a try.

Heading towards the Taipa Houses Museum.

Along the way we pass by this beautiful church.

Eventually we make it to the Taipa Houses Museum where we get a glimpse of some of the colonial buildings of Macau past.

Couldn't resist taking a bunch of photos here. — Couldn’t resist taking a bunch of photos here.

We had to double back a little to find some of the restaurants I wanted to check out.

This is 新好利美食餅店 which is well known for its egg white tarts.

Another recommended restaurant is Cafe Tai Lei Loi Kei for their pork chop buns. Wow was this good.

From Taipa we cabbed it into Coloane to visit the original Lord Stow's which is considered to be the best Portuguese egg tarts in Macau. It was a rainy day and a weekday so there were no line ups at all. — From Taipa we cabbed it into Coloane to visit the original Lord Stow’s which is considered to be the best Portuguese egg tarts in Macau.
It was a rainy day and a weekday so there were no line ups at all.

Chapel of St. Francis for some quick shots.

We then cabbed it again from Coloane to Hac Sa (Black Sand) Beach. It was kind of black?

The government's had to fill in the beach with yellow sand due to erosion and so it's not longer truly black anymore. — The government’s had to fill in the beach with yellow sand due to erosion and so it’s not longer truly black anymore.

Not sure what these ladies were up to but I think they were cleaners?

Right by the beach is the famed Fernando. It was empty in the late afternoon when we showed up so we got tables at the back but when they realized we were only ordering one bun, they moved us to the bar.

I got a super bock to accompany our second pork chop bun.

Too bad it was raining because it would've been nice to sit outside in this well decorated restaurant. — Too bad it was raining because it would’ve been nice to sit outside in this well decorated restaurant.

This second pork chop bun wasn't as good as our first but we enjoyed its different style. Much more garlic-ey in taste though less tender. — This second pork chop bun wasn’t as good as our first but we enjoyed its different style. Much more garlic-ey in taste though less tender.

Finding a cab was a challenge from Hac Sa but we eventually found one to take us to the Ruins of St. Paul's. We still had some time before closing so we got to explore the museum behind the facade. — Finding a cab was a challenge from Hac Sa but we eventually found one to take us to the Ruins of St. Paul’s. We still had some time before closing so we got to explore the museum behind the facade.

From there we hiked up to the fortress right next door but caught this great angle of the Ruins.

Entrance to the Fortress. The views from the top offered great 360 degree views of the city and canons.

Uncle instructed us that the best angle to shoot the facade was from here so we made sure to come to this side.

The main shopping drag below from the Ruins.

We didn't have a dinner place picked out but eventually landed at Dragon Portuguese Restaurant since we wanted to have Portuguese food. — We didn’t have a dinner place picked out but eventually landed at Dragon Portuguese Restaurant since we wanted to have Portuguese food.

We read in a magazine that the dessert serradura was local to the area so we wanted to try it out at a small cafe we passed by

After dinner, we eventually made it to Wynn where we caught a water show similar to Bellagio back in Vegas but shorter in length.

The walkway to the right of Wynn offered fantastic views of the tower and one of the bridges connecting Taipa with Macau Peninsula.

Looking back at some of the big casinos in Macau.

Venetian was definitely up to par with Vegas standards. Lots to see and do even for non-gamblers.

Busted out the tripod for this since everyone was so busy to take a photo for us.

My winnings from video blackjack. 500HKD in = $1000 HKD out!

Day 26 – Tuesday April 8, 2014

Last day in HK. Tsui Wah. Mong Kok. Dinner in Causeway Bay. Pack it up.

With our last day we thought it was fitting to have lunch at Tsui Wah in MK.

Pineapple buns never tasted so good before.

Tsui Wah stopped making normal french toast so we had to order this one with ice cream. I guess you get more crispy parts when it's done like this. Not bad! — Tsui Wah stopped making normal french toast so we had to order this one with ice cream. I guess you get more crispy parts when it’s done like this. Not bad!

After shopping around MK, mainly buying some last minute camera stuff, we found a corner selling some small eats like these juicy squid legs.

Corner "stick" food place. — Corner “stick” food place.

Next door was also a Gong Cha so we got one of those too.

Oh and we found a Mobile Softee so I couldn't say no to that either. Yup that's pretty much how most of our days in HK have been. Eat small meals. Snack along the way. — Oh and we found a Mobile Softee so I couldn’t say no to that either.
Yup that’s pretty much how most of our days in HK have been. Eat small meals. Snack along the way.

For dinner, we ate with Uncle Elmond and Aunt Shermaine at a Chiu Chow place in Times Square. First time having goose. — For dinner, we ate with Uncle Elmond and Aunt Shermaine at a Chiu Chow place in Times Square.
First time having goose.

Eggs jam packed with oysters in between.

They also had this really interesting dish where noodles are pan fried on one side and what you do is flip it over, sprinkle some sugar and vinegar on it before eating.

Back at home, we played with Goldie a little bit one last time before packing up.

Teaching Goldie fetch didn't quite work out. — Teaching Goldie fetch didn’t quite work out.

Goldie's handsome move. — Goldie’s handsome move.

Goldie's smiley face :) — Goldie’s smiley face :)

Day 27 – Wednesday April 9, 2014

I can’t even describe how long of a day this was but I’ll give it a shot.

Hong Kong standby works a little different in that even with standby, you can’t go through security to the gate. Instead you have to wait last minute at the check in counter in order to get boarding passes.
So we waited at check in counter until 2PM for the 3PM direct to Toronto.
Just when the lady was going to hand out boarding cards and baggage tags (we were first in the standby queue), a man runs in with a lady and apparently buys one last minute ticket to Vancouver. So two last tickets that were supposed to be ours was now down to one and nobody travelling on standby was going to take just one ticket. Unbelievable right? Nobody got on standby with that flight.
So with that we were left to wait at the terminal until 5pm when they would let us know whether we could get on the Vancouver flight or not.
We then went to hunt for an area with plugs and eventually found an area on the left side of the terminal by the Starbucks with chairs and hidden plugs at the bottom of a wall divider.
At 4:45 we thought we’d grab dinner first so we went up to Tsui Wah to eat our real last meal in HK.
From there we went back to the check in counters by about 5:45PM. All the other standby folks were there too.
At 6PM they started handing out boarding passes but for some reason we didn’t have any but when we went up the lady said there was two for us phew. No seats though but at least we’d be able to go to the gate. Looks like everyone on standby got tickets.
Waited at gate and eventually got two J class tickets on the high density 777-300. Sweet!
Smooth flight to Vancouver and arrived at around 4:30PM local time.
Once in Vancouver we did the usual customs. We thought we might have a chance to connect to the 5:30PM flight but the bags took forever to come out due to the plane being high density. We didn’t get our bags until 5:10PM.
At this point we weren’t even sure if we’d get on the 10:30pm flight because of the fluctuating loads and possibility of misconnects on the 5:30PM from our Hong Kong flight. Everything was up in the air.
Chantelle then found out that her flight attendant (FA) friend Rebecca was in the terminal and heading to dinner with another FA couple visiting Vancouver. Lucky for us, we were invited to crash the party and ate dinner at a Taiwanese restaurant in Richmond.
We got to airport at around 9PM and when we got to the gate, our chances looked good. Two other standby pairs we had met on our HKG -> YVR leg were there as well.
Our last names got called first and were able to offer us one first class seat and another in economy. So we were indeed going to be able to go home!
What made the situation interesting was that there was a girl and her grandma travelling together. By the time it got to them on standby, there were only jumpseats available which only staff can sit on. From the kindness of her heart, Chantelle had a feeling this would happen and offered to trade her economy seat with the grandma’s jumpseat in order for them to fly back home. First class woman!
The only unfortunate thing was that there was an Indian mother and daughter who were not able to make it on standby.
So that about sums up our ridiculously long day. Red eye from Hong Kong to Vancouver and then another red eye from Vancouver to Toronto.
We landed in Toronto at about 5:30AM the following day and were tired as hell.