Touristy Thursday: December 1st Edition

Touristy Thursday lives on!  I know I had been M.I.A. on Touristy Thursday last week. I was being extra touristy and in a whole new place (using the word country is debatable) Taiwan, last week- maybe I’ll post about it.

Anyways, this week school has been both slowing down as classes come to an end yet at the same time just about to rev up into high gear as examination period is looming just around the corner. After a very productive morning of a presentation and studying, it was time to do something touristy to kick off the weekend.

I think this Touristy Thursday is probably the touristiest out of any of the Touristy Thursdays I’ve had or will ever have. So far during my stay in Hong Kong Ben and I had not once, not twice, but 3 times tried to take the Peak Tram up from central to Victoria Peak to watch the sunset. However we didn’t want to wait in the hour-long line and miss out on the golden hour. So this Thursday we came in with a game plan- take the bus up to peak and take the tram down after sunset (but before everyone queues up to go down). Our friends Sheng and Laura also joined us for this Thursday :) 

Laura and I at the peak 

Laura and I at the peak 

After a beautiful bus ride from the central bus depot to the Peak Galleria, costing around 10HKD, we were able to watch a beautiful sunset over Stanley and Central. Hong Kong really does glow and has an amazing view. It was so cool to see tourists oooing and awing over how spectacular Hong Kong’s skyline is.  It is truly one of the most beautiful skylines in the world. My friends and I were commenting how spoiled we are that we get to see this beautiful view daily from our halls. We’ve almost become immune to its beauty.  

View overlooking Central and Kowloon 

View overlooking Central and Kowloon 

If you walk just past the two shopping malls and the tram station there is a nice lookout with amazing views that makes a great picture spot.  We also went to the top of the Peak Galleria for a free view from their rooftop — no need to spend money on the view from the Peak Tower.

Ben, Laura, Me, and Sheng at the Picture spot 

Ben, Laura, Me, and Sheng at the Picture spot 

Finally right when it got dark we took in all the lights of Kowloon and HK Island and queued up to finally get to ride on the Peak Tram.  You’ll want to queue up right when it gets dark because maybe 10 minutes after we lined up the queue had doubled in size going form a 15 minute wait (which we waited) to a 45 minute wait.

The Peak Tram is a cable car / railway system that takes tourists (and I guess locals because there were 4 intermediate stops but I don’t really think they would use the tram) to the upper levels of Hong Kong. The tram has been running since 1926 and is 1,364 meters (4,475 ft) long and goes up a height of 368 meters (1,207 ft).  It was fun, steep ride. I was just happy that I finally got to ride on it and check it off my bucket list. The view can be very beautiful from the tram and it is also really cool how you are at times sandwiched in between Hong Kong’s skyscrapers.  However, I will say the bus ride is a more beautiful ride overall. It was super fun though and I totally understand why the Peak Tram is so touristy- it’s just fun and cool and much faster than the bus (well if there isn’t a line for the tram hahaha).

Us on the peak tram! 

Us on the peak tram! 

Once again another great Touristy Thursday! 

Also here is some more pictures in a gallery because my little sister complained that I didn't post enough photos. This is for you Hanna.