I am always asked why I like to travel to Hong Kong so much. Well aside from Los Angeles, where I spent a lot of my childhood/teenage years, Hong Kong is somewhat home to me as well. When I was seventeen, I spent a whole summer in this beautiful place which was under the British colony then. It was all of three months where I lived and breathed the honky way of life and I fell madly in love with the place.
My best friend then was tasked by her parents to fly here to take care of her sister who was going through a painful divorce. She didn’t want to go alone and had begged her parents to convince my mom to send me along with her. After much thought, my mom agreed. We were to go and help ease a grieving woman’s pain and provide her company along with her children (my friends nephews) who were getting through this trying time. Her sister lived at The Peak, a home so beautiful with views of the mountains, water and lush greenery surrounding the property. She worked and although she had staff, our support and helping out, was a much needed respite for the homes occupants. I always say it was a win-win situation for us all. I learned so much about life in one summer.
We joke that it has jaded us forever, but in reality, it has enriched my knowledge on life and coping. The kids ages were close to ours and everyday there was always something to do. It always amazed me that this small colony had so much to see and discover. We spent our days doing the things residents would. The boys would take us to the country club, the movies and meeting friends. We spent each day in an unhurried manner before returning to be with my friends sister in time for dinner. The days always provided a new adventure and going back home to Manila when summer ended was one of the most heartbreaking times of my teenage life. To this day, exploring Hong Kong is still a source of joy and excitement for me. Which brings me to my new discovery over the past few days… Tai Hang.
They say Tai Hang which used to be a slum area is going to be the next big thing. Like what SOHO or the meatpacking district is to New York. There are establishments sprouting up everywhere and they say the residents of this quiet neighbourhood are both thrilled and apprehensive of what will be. Meanwhile, let me share my day with you.
First stop, the supposed original pork chop rice, hole in the wall, I learned about from @epicurioushongkong on instagram.
this is on king street
i liked it a lot but my hubby and kids prefer the one of delicious kitchen
this place was bustling with businessmen, residents and locals. here is the very kind owner whom i spoke via sign language with
We strolled around the neighbourhood after lunch and found all this delicious food and drink. Plus, specialty restaurants…
I had only planned to spend one day in Tai Hang, but when I found out that the Hello Kitty Secret Garden Cafe was closed, I just had to return the next day.
Next door to the Hello Kitty Cafe is GAGGIA. An Italian coffee shop and barista academy that is tied up with Sanrio. They serve delicious coffee and offer courses on being a barista among other things having to do with coffee.
our perfect cups, my rose latte and my daughters cappuccino
We ended our day with some sweet treats from the pastry shop. This won’t be my last time in Tai hang as I have a list of other places I want to visit. Till the next…