My Trip Back to Hong Kong

It’s been 20 years since the Flinn family left Hong Kong and recently I had the good fortune to go back with Tim while he was on a business trip. I loved the three years I lived there, but I have to admit, my favorite part of living in Hong Kong was my family!  Ally and T made my time living overseas not just an amazing experience, they made my life over there a home.

They have gone from learning how to sing pre-school songs in Mandarin to being amazing adults with careers of their own! (As you can see, I did not include a picture of how I have changed in 20 years! LOL)

This post is not just about my trip to Hong Kong, it’s about the passage of time. In the past, when I return to a place I have not visited in a long time, it seems like my memory plays tricks. Some things seem exactly as I remember, and some things are vastly different. That is exactly what happened on my trip back to Hong Kong.

Victoria Peak

The Peak is one of the most famous attractions in Hong Kong due to its amazing views of the city. It is definitely a must see.

As I taxied up from Central, I remembered my last visit. It was two weeks before we were scheduled to move back to the US and I went on my morning run up to the Peak. The memory is as clear as day.  I was jogging and a bright green snake shot across the trail aiming straight at my sneaker. I let out a little scream and hopped over him. A Chinese man on the same path told me that the snake was extremely poisonous and if it had bitten me I might make it to the hospital, I might not. Needless to say, that was the last time jogged on that path and the last time I went to the Peak.

Fast forward 20 years — the view from the Peak was just as beautiful as I remembered and I was as awestruck as I was the first time I saw it. However, the area around the Peak had changed quite a bit.  The area had expanded so much with new restaurants and commercial areas, I have no idea where my old jogging path was with the infamous bright green snake. (And quite frankly, I did not look either.)

Central-Mid-Levels Escalators

This escalator system goes from Central Business District to the Mid-Levels and is the largest escalator system in the world. It covers 2,600 feet and escalates over 440 feet. 20 years ago, we lived in the Mid-Levels and the escalators were the most convenient way to go to Central. As far as I could tell, the escalator system has not changed too much. The area surrounding the escalator is still charming with antique galleries,  Chinese medicine shops, small restaurants, and eateries. The only thing I completely forgot was the escalator is a one-way escalator. It goes downhill in the morning and uphill in the afternoon and evening. During my recent visit, I wanted to use the escalator early in the morning to go uphill, but unfortunately, it was scheduled to go downhill. As I climbed over 40 flights of stairs to get to the top, memories came flooding back how closely I had paid attention to the escalator schedule!

Star Ferry

The Star Ferry is a passenger ferry service that crosses the Victoria Harbour between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. It is another must see if you go to Hong Kong. The city views are spectacular and it feels like time has stood still when you step aboard. I loved riding the ferry again! The ferry itself was completely unchanged, but the surrounding areas around both piers changed so dramatically, it was almost unrecognizable. There was so much development with new stores, office buildings, infrastructure, and parks, it felt like I was in another city. The ferry ride itself seemed a lot shorter, but I am unsure if that is my memory playing tricks or if it was due to the reclaimed land that has literally shrunk the size of the harbor. Either way, it’s still a must see!

Hong Kong is as vibrant, fast-paced city and as electric as I remember. The food is fantastic and I’ve met some of the nicest people in the world there. But to be honest, as much as I loved it years ago and I enjoyed returning, I am happy where I am living right now — Sydney Australia. Maybe it’s because I’m 20 years older, but I prefer living in a city that is a little slower, a lot greener, and much less crowded.

Here are some other pictures from my recent trip that you might enjoy.