"Hong Kong Surprises" a Hong Kong Travel Page by AgnesB

Like most Filipinos I know, Hong Kong occupies a special place in my heart for it has given me my first taste of foreign travel. I have been blessed with the opportunity to visit it several times and each stay is like a "first" with discoveries unfolding every time.

There are three things I always look forward to when I go to Hong Kong: temples, bakeries and trains.

I have always been fascinated with temples and my favorite here is the Chi Lin Nunnery on Diamond Hill. It amazes me no end that amidst the crazy bustle of activity, there is a spot where you can pray, breathe easy and admire the wonderful structures around you.

I also have great respect for Hong Kong's bakeries. From the flaky egg tarts to the fruity cakes and your usual loaf, I am never disappointed. Even the boulangerie at the corner has something to offer. Their names are something too. The Dream Bakery, Hoixe Bakeshop and Simply Bread are just some names that bring me heartwarming memories.

I love negotiating my way through trains. Apart from the public markets, I believe trains are the best way to take in the local vibe. Just a few minutes of waiting at the stations and one finds an assortment of characters and ends up imagining stories for each of them.

Hong Kong is truly where chaos and stillness intertwine and where old and new co-exist. And I will always have a soft spot for it no matter where else my feet take me...