Day 4 - Saturday 2 November - Nunneries and Markets

Yeah so I woke up at 5:30 this morning and couldn't get back to sleep :( At 6:30 I got up and did some photo stuff.

Had another big breakfast this morning. We debated having a smaller breakfast so that we could have lunch later, but in the end decided to have a big breakfast so that we wouldn't need to worry about lunch.

What a horrible view to go with breakfast!

Mariner of the Seas docked at the old Kai Tak airport

After we breakfast we headed out. We took a train up to Diamond Hill station and then walked down to the Nan Lian Gardens. It was quite a peaceful spot, except for the minor fact of it being right next to a major road.

Pavilion of Absolute Perfection and Wu Bridge in Nan Lian Gardens

Nan Lian Gardens

Pavilion Bridge, Nan Lian Gardens

Nan Lian Gardens

Bonsai banyan tree in Nan Lian Gardens

I loved the texture in this rock

This was the whole thing

Inside the Rockery, Nan Lian Gardens

Then we went up to see the Chi Lin Nunnery which was also very nice.

Mountain Gate, Chi Lin Nunnery

Chi Lin Nunnery

Stu at Chi Lin Nunnery

Came back down and found a Starbucks in a mall for the sweetie to get a coffee and me a drink.

Then we trained it over to Prince Edward, and did a market wander.

First the goldfish market. Which is actually more tropical fish than goldfish. All kept in teeny tiny little baggies, even bigger fish - like two angels in a bag. Poor fishies :(:( I did buy a new filter sponge because their prices for everything were very cheap (was very tempted to buy a couple of thermometers for only just over a dollar each).

Bags of fish at the fish market

All sorts of tropical fish at the fish market

Tortoises at the fish market

These poor angels were stuffed two to a bag

Dog latrine

Then the song bird market. Again quite sad to see so many little (and big birds) stuck in teeny little cages. A lot of the birds didn't look too healthy either :(

Cockatiels at the song bird market

Finches at the song bird market

An opportunistic sparrow feasting on spilled seed

Song bird market

Cockatoo at the song bird market

And then a wander through the flower market.

Orchids at the flower market

Flowers at the flower market

Trained it back to the hotel to have a shower and chillax for a while.

The stations in Hong Kong are brilliant for tourists. All the exists are lettered and there's signs showing which exits are the best for attractions that are nearby

More signage and maps in Tsim Sha Tsui station

When it got dark we headed up to the hotel's happy hour, which we still hadn't managed to make it to yet. Had a little wine and some snacks - a meat skewer, veggies and some savoury pastries. And then a bit of dessert. And suddenly we don't even need to go get dinner anymore. I know, we're in Hong Kong, and we've barely eaten out at all. Silly really.

Dessert noms at the hotel

After the food, we got a train up to Jordan and had a wander up and down the Temple Street Night Markets. It had a *little* more variety than the ladies market, but not much. I was sorely tempted by a 50mW green laser and a 100mW blue laser. Want want want. Chances are I'd get away with it, but still.. prolly best not to risk it.