朋友是你送給自己的禮物。
A friend is a gift you give yourself.
~ Robert Louis Stevenson
So I visited Hong Kong for the 3rd time in 10 years. It was a short trip and purely a "Goldfish trip”, without having to worry about taking up family’s time :-). It was also a trip that I have long anticipated to catch up with my old hobbyist friend in Hong Kong. Moreover, with Alvin's company, the trip was already guaranteed to be hell of a good time with Goldfish and good food even before it started.
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Goldfish monument candidly franking
a bikini poster advertisement |
Somehow, Tung Choi Street in Mongkok, or better known as the “Goldfish Street” by the locals never fails to ignite my childhood euphoria of visiting LFS (Local Fish Shop). The LFS and Pet shops lined up along both sides of some 400 metres stretch of road selling canines, felines, fowls, amphibians, ornamental fishes and hobbyists’ accessories promise a great experience even for the window shopper. New shops have also sprouted in the upper floors of the street, orientated by splashy and prominent signboards.
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One of the few famous Tunghoi
"Tiger Oranda" in Lucky Aquarium |
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| Eye-catching display of ornamental fish in one of the LFS |
We also had the opportunity to visit the early morning Goldfish market. Just before 5 a.m. every morning, Goldfish vendors came with their truck loads of prepacked Goldfish and set up mobile stalls along the main road perpendicular to Goldfish Street. By 7 a.m., these mobile vendors would have packed up to make way for the hustle and bustle of the daytime traffic. The Flower Street and the Bird Street, adjacent to the Goldfish Street are also worth visiting. Like the Goldfish Street, both the Flower and Bird Streets boast a high concentration of shops selling very niche crafts and wares for the respective hobbies. Though many stores are plying the same goods, their businesses are well sustainable by the high human traffic and strategic location in the heart of Mongkok.
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| Mobile Goldfish market at 5 a.m. |
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| Flower Street |
We had a hearty time savouring the local delights near Tung Choi Street. The egg tarts and pineapple buns in one of the snack shops along Goldfish Street was simply fantastic to go with the local “Nai Cha” (奶茶 -> milk + tea). Two must-try dishes in Hong Kong are the local roasted goose (燒鵝) and “wanton noodles” (雲吞面). For the more adventurous, go for the “smelly toufu” (臭豆腐) at the end of the Goldfish Street – be sure to eat it while it is still hot!
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| Bird Street |
Having fulfilled my long time wish to visit my friend after the trip in Hong Kong, I am now ready to spawn the TVR. Though this would be the 9th year that I spawn the TVR, it’s still the old patience game for some rain dance :)
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