Hong Kong : Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree + Xin Xiang Yuan + Jia Jia Desserts

Hong Kong trip - May 2014

Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees 林村許願樹

Weather has not been very good for the whole trip when I was in Hong Kong this time. Fortunately, I was always under shelter whenever it rained. We woke up slightly earlier as Lam Tsuen is a little far from the town. 

(source: http://www.mydestination.com)

I was expecting to see a big massive venerable tree hanging with yellow joss papers containing wishes written on them like the picture above. 

There was a drama scene where both male and female main lead were standing under this wishing tree wishing they were there with each other (coincidentally standing in opposite direction and did not see each other). The next moment when they were leaving, their eyes suddenly met, cried instantly and the next thing we know, they were already hugging and kissing. Though it was cliche, we audience always love it (after we scolded how lame was the plot). 

Due to many years of overloaded with wishing gifts being flung onto its branches, the main limb finally snapped nearly 10 years ago. Now it is ringed by fences and supported by long poles. It looks as if it is crippled. Government has already banned throwing-wishing-gifts activity onto the tree.

It is now replaced by hanging these offerings onto this wishing board.

My zodiac 

This is the replacement banyan tree. It is a stand alone tree in the middle of concrete flooring. Yes, this is a fake tree. Perhaps only fake tree can withstand the wear and tear and also easier to get replaced.

Previously, people wrote their wishes on joss paper tied to an orange and threw them up to hang on the original tree. It was believed that if the paper successfully hung onto one of the tree branches, these wishes would come true. Today, we get to write our wishes on a tiny red paper tied with a fake light weighed mandarin orange and to throw up to the fake tree. 

Due to the oranges being too light, i took many tries to get my orange up successfully in the tree. Its ok, my wishes will still come true!

Tin Hau temple next to the wishing tree.

Food stall just outside the wishing tree.

Hehe.. #beancurdstallhassamenameasme. 

Their salted beancurd

This is the normal sweet version.

Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree 林村許願樹

Direction: 

1) Bus 64K or 64P at MTR Tai Po Market Station, get off at Fong Ma Po Station. 

2) Minibus 25K and get off at Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees. 

Xin Xiang Yuan 新香園

My friend brought me to his favourite beef sandwiches stall for teabreak at Sham Shui Po. It has started since 1968 O.O!

Lemon tea

馳名蛋牛治 - Famous beef sandwich

This beef sandwich really fantastic! It is as if contains motherly love in it! I could eat this everyday~

This is my favourite kind of congee whereby the rice is slow cooked until very very watery (like baby food). =D

What it is more amazing is that they operating 24 hours for 7 days in a week.

Xin Xiang Yuan 新香園

38 Kweilin Street Sham Shui Po

Nearest MTR station: Sham Shiu Po station

Tel: +852 2386 2748

Opening hours: 24/7

Jia Jia Desserts 佳佳甜品

We initially wanted to go to Australia Dairy Company where it is most famous for its milk pudding but we were too late for it. I was a little disgruntled =(

We then headed to Jia Jia Desserts to satisfy our sugar needs.

Jia Jia desserts is a very old school kind of desserts stall and has opened for more than 30 years.

Rock candy stewed papaya 冰糖燉木瓜 HK$18

This is actually meh.. just a little too sweet for me.

Almond pudding 杏仁露 HK$18

Ok I dislike almond but the overwhelming smell of almond still haunted me when I was seated a few seats away from the person who was having this dessert. I guess this is a good sign? Lol.

Egg custard pudding 冰花燉雞蛋 HK$18

I did not know what am I getting into when I tried this egg custard pudding. I do not fancy strong egg taste nor milk taste as they make me nauseated. I fell love at first bite for this egg custard pudding!! It has mild egg taste with refreshing fragrance to it without fighting over the taste of egg and milk.

I had one egg custard pudding before near my workplace but the milk taste was too overwhelming, no wonder it closed down not long after.. lol.

As normal as it looks, the abnormal the taste it it.

Jia Jia Desserts 佳佳甜品

Address: 27A Ning Po Street Jordan, Hong Kong 

 Nearest MTR station: Jordan station

Tel: +852 2384 3862 

Opening hours: Daily 1.30pm – 3am

Hong Kong: Lin Heung + Jenny Bakery + Repulse Bay + Stanley Market

Hong Kong trip - May 2014

Lian Xiang Lou 莲香楼

My friend's HK friends brought us for breakfast at Lian Xiang Lou (Lin Heung in cantonese) which origin from Guangzhou city. It has over hundred year history. It must be that good to last for so long! I also saw the first shop during my recent Guangzhou trip.

It is a short walking distance from nearest MTR station - Sheung Wan station. Good for morning walk in such a cooling weather during May.

It was a sunday morning and we reached around 9+am. I thought we were quite a early bird already but the teahouse was already fully seated with.. hmm.. elderly.. Singaporeans do not wake up so early for yum cha. Hong Kong people are really early risers! lol

The teahouse was so fully packed that we have to share table with other customers. Our "table neighbours" overheard our singlish conversation, knew where were we from and started to share their impression and their favourite food when they came to Singapore few years back. Very flattering~ we thank you on behalf of our country.

This is a board of celebrities' signatures who came to their teahouse. I guess? I can not spot any familiar names though lol. 

Their famous mooncakes.

Dim sum for five people!

Lian Xiang Lou 莲香楼

Address: #160-164 Wellington Street, Sheung Wan 

Tel: +852 2544 4556 

Opening Hours: 9am - 10pm

Nearest MTR station: Sheung Wan Station, exit A2

Jenny Bakery 珍妮曲奇

Frankly speaking, I have never heard of this brand before. Apparently it is very highly rated and highly raved by many people and thus the long queue.

This is considered as very short queue already. I heard of people queuing for 3 hours for this! We only queued for less than 30 minutes. We count ourselves very very very lucky already!

They are indeed very systematic. One of their staffs (not sure if she is the lady boss) gave out number to each customer and one customer can only buy max 3 large tins or 4 small tins. 

I gave them hygiene and cleanliness A+ grade.

Yays!

I did not expect myself to fall in love and be addicted to them on my first bite as I do not fancy cookies and find them too dry to swallow. Jenny cookies did over my expectation! The cookies are very buttery and they melt in your mouth (like M&M's slogan except that you must be very careful when taking cookies out of the tin). Also, the strong cookies smell immediately fills up the room when you open the tin. I personally love the coffee flavour! Too many good comments already. 

I can't resist them!

Jenny Bakery

Address: Sheung Wan store 15 Wing Wo Street, Ground Floor Sheung Wan Hong Kong 

(opposite Sincere Department Store, Behind Grand Millenium Plaza) 

Nearest MTR station: Sheung Wan station, Exit E2

Tel: +852 2524-1988

Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm

Website: http://www.jennybakery.com/

Repulse Bay 淺水灣

Moving on to our next destination at Hong Kong Island - Repulse Bay.

Repulse Bay is located at the south of Hong Kong Island. It is also known as the high class beach and residential area, similar to our Palawan or Tanjong do beach at Sentosa.

This crescent-shaped stretch of sand is one of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong is extended artificially. 

Famous "building with a hole".

Upon alighting from the bus, the first thing that caught my eyes was this building with a hole. Heard from my friend that Nicholas Tse is staying in one of the unit. It was previously Repulse Bay Hotel and turned into a living estate.

The building with a hole is right smack in the middle facing the Repulse Bay. Definitely damn good view!

On the right of the beach, there are many private estates where rumors many HK celebrities are staying there as well. I was not lucky enough to bump any of them. The fengshui there really very good - mountain at the back and facing water..

It was a little gloomy that day with dark clouds covering the sun. It was around 21 degree.

I would say this place is too commercialized.  It does not give a calm and peaceful atmosphere for relaxation.

#obligatedjumpshot

Kwum Yum Shrine

The entrance of the shrine and a bright red bridge and a Chinese style pavillion over the water, this is the Longevity Bridge which you must cross to add three days to your life. I miss it!!

Ocean Park Hong Kong

We spotted Ocean Park from Repulse Bay! I have been there once when I came to Hong Kong for the first time few years back. Personally finds it quite boring, probably I was not very fancy theme park that time. I prefer Disneyland though lol. For the record, this was my third time been to Hong Kong. 

Stanley Market 赤柱大街

Never be tired of this sight...

I love the sea view.. 

...but I scared of water..

"I rather be 

on top of it than 

in it"

Soft serve ice cream! Not exceptional yummy but very local feel~ like our $1 ice cream stall at Orchard.

Their Stanley street market is just like their Ladies market except maybe slightly more expensive due to its location. I bought a landmark magnet there lol. 

Bus 6, 6A, 6X, 66 or 260 from Exchange Square bus terminal (near MTR Hong Kong Station, Exit D) and alight at Repulse Bay Beach.

From Repulse Bay takes bus 6/6X/260 to Stanley Market.