Hong Kong Stopover Day 2 - Peak Time

Life at the top - 19th November 2012
Sky High -View from the Peak
Going up the slope to the peak
Safely to the top!
After a good sleep we jumped back into 'The Flying Pan', for eggs, bacon and beans before walking to the Peak Tram Station, about half an hour away.  The Peak Tram, like the Star Ferry, is a bit of an institution in Hong Kong. The tram cars take you up to the Peak via a ridiculously steep track in under 10 minutes. It costs about £5.50 return including the Sky Terrace.
All sense of perspective is lost on the way up and buildings look to have been built at ridiculous angles.  Could have done without the long queue, but it gave us time to read about the history and it was a really good ride up. In early colonial days the Tram had three classes. Third class was for non-resident civilians and animals - that would be us then!
Tourists - Peak performance
Nice View on the Peak
Nice humble abode on the Peak
The route to the panoramic viewing platform 'Sky Terrace 428', at the top, is reached via escalators that are surrounded by shops selling souvenirs and gadgets.  Bit like a vertical High Street.  Anyway, we reached the top eventually and took in the views of the harbour, the tall blocks on the Island and Kowloon.  You could also see the back of the Island with its Power Station Chimneys and also Repulse Bay.  Certainly a good deal fresher and cooler on the Peak which is, of course, why it appealed to the colonials in former times and rich expatriates today.  In former times the Governor used to have a seat on the Tram reserved for him until the last minute just in case he wanted to pop home to the Peak. We elected to spend the day up there, just watching and wandering.  We were just on a stop-over after all!
We had lunch at McDonalds on a lovely terrace over looking the tree clad Peak. That was followed by a beer the terrace at Spagetti 360, then a coffee the Pacific Coffee Company and a circular walk on Plantation Road. Our dinner was in 'Bubba Gump'.  That was appropriate as our first meal of the trip, eight weeks ago, was at the 'Bubba Gump' in Santa Monica.  Very boring I know, but Dim Sum is like a box of chocolates. You have no idea what you are going to get!
Hotel  bound  back in Hong Kong
Table - Night time from Bubba Gump
Back to sea level
Location: Hong Kong

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