Peeking What?

The world famous Peking duck that is originally found in Beijing was D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S.  We had seen it advertised at several different spots for varying amounts, though we settle on a restaurant that seemed busy.  The night didn't start off too well as we asked for water, and the server brought us a liter of peach nectar instead (yes, it cost more than water).  We saw this tried with several other foreigners to varying success.  Renee wasn't in the mood for nectar, so I was pretty full even before the appetizer came.  Because the duck takes 30 minutes to cook, we were advised to order a starter and we picked some sauteed green-beans that were great and not too filling.  

The real treat was the duck that is to be rolled up with vegetables and spices in thin, little pancake-like wraps.  The whole night cost 208RMB ($30.53) for the food, juice, water, and beers.  We started off a little disappointed when the server brought out a dish of just fried duck skin.  It looked like a small portion and we thought it was too oily for what we were going to pay for it.  After resigning to a lesson learned, the rest of the entree was brought out and the feast began.  

You can mix and match any combination of sides, sauces, and parts of the duck to make your own little wrap.  Sugar is provided to dip the skin in and while we were put off from it at first, it mixes excellently with the skin's oiliness, the spiciness of the sauce, and crunchiness of the vegetables.  Whatever amount of the duck we were served was perfect for the two of us and, while we could eat more, it left us full.  Definitely find a roasted duck place it you ever go to Beijing.  

 

Mao that's interesting

Even though Chinese food in China is great, Panda Express' Orange
Chicken still holds a dear spot in my stomach. . .

Oops, Was That Forbidden?

Well, we and thousands of other people have visited the FORBIDDEN City.  It used to be forbidden and now it is just a tourist trap.  We paid 90RMB ($13.21) each plus another 40RMB ($5.87) for an audio guide that was unnecessary.  The complex is as big as a city and the architecture is pretty nice, but that is where the awe ends.  There was some special tour going on where security personnel started to rope off most of the complex and it became more of a cattle corral than historically significant.  I'd say the nicest part of the city was the garden area that was pretty relaxing and a welcome variation from old chinese architecture and grand stone courtyards.

What makes getting to these sites easy is that they are all accessible from the Tiananmen or Tiananmen East subway stations.  From those exits you are offered Mao's tomb, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the National Museum and several other important-to-the-Chinese attractions.  Everything is heavily veiled in Party motif and security cameras.  If there weren't hawkers trying to sell ice cream and tiny Chinese flags, then it could have been just after the revolution.  

The square is pretty impressive in its size and location.  It being surrounded by museums and Party buildings makes it historic and foreboding in context.  There were a ton of people just hanging out, which seems to be a Chinese past time.  There is always someone trying to make a buck, but why not.  The area isn't too photogenic, but I kind of wanted tanks lined up for photo-ops.  

HK: Lantau Island

Renee and I finally made to the Big Buddha after we got the too late the other day. (pro tip: the stairs to the statue close at 5:30pm, so of you take the cable car, you should get on before 4:30pm.)  The round trip cable car costs 107hkd ($14) and is outside of the Tung Chung station. We planned on going to the beach, but it was too rainy by the time we finished with the statue. To get from Ngong Ping village, the top of the mountain, you can take bus 23 to Mui Wo ferry port and walk to Silvermine Bay Beach; a one way cable car ride is 74hkd ($10) and the bus is 23 hkd ($3), then buses or a ferry from there to town.

This was a fairly large Buddha and it was beautiful in the setting. From it's perch, we had a great view of the bay and surrounding mountains. I really liked the clouds wrapping around the peaks as they cruised overhead. It was sprinkling while we were there but nothing that would deter us from being there. The storm did bring some wind that rocked the cable car on the way up, but it had does down for our return journey.

We got a great view of the airport and mud flats from the cable car, while the peak graced us with a more serene vantage.  I'd say the gondola was worth it once and a bus or long hike would suffice in the future.

From the base we took the MTR to Central station to check out Lan Kwai Fong for the after-work bar scene. Hong  Kong Brewhouse serves it's own beers as well as and extensive import list with great food to accompany them. We tried the three craft beers and the Brooklyn Reuben ( six pints and sandwich: 392hkd, $51).