HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

I must admit I misjudged Hongkong for a lot of reasons.  The skyscrapers and modernized buildings clearly registers on a tourists’ perspective.  While this may be true, there are streets and alleys that withstood time and speaks of history and culture.

It was my first time to stay at Kowloon and at Hunghom to be specific.  The tall buildings where clothes hang on terraces and façade gets close to dilapidation has a charm of its own.


One midnight, we searched for hole in the wall restaurants and eateries and where dining is on the side streets.  Fortunately, Sav Hotel, our home in Kowloon is accessible to nearby side street eateries. 


HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

We settled for street foods on sticks complemented by my favorite beer, Tsingtao.  Positioned on the sidewalks, it was a great time to people watch and exchange the never-ending stories with my friends.  Even at midnight, the local residents seem to be in the mood for food trip.  Most of them I surmise are students living near the area.


HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

Hunghom is a residential area though mixed with some industrial buildings in the north.  On subsequent days, we walked through its narrow lanes and witness how commerce flourish in the area.


HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

It appears like a small town where the fusion of commerce and religion is conspicuous.  There are small temples on each corner and surprisingly, we were lead to one of the important Chinese temples in Hongkong, the Kwun Yum Temple.


HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

The Kwun Yum Temple has quite an interesting history.  I went inside for curiosity and witnessed the local residents’ rituals.  The smell of the incense penetrates the hall adorned by baskets of gifts laid down.

HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

As I do my research, I found out that in the year 1909 according to a website, a road was constructed to connect Hung Hom with Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon City.  When workers were digging in the hilly areas, red water spouted from the ground.  It was rumored that the vein of the dragon that inhabited in that area had been ruptured as a result of the work.  The workers were frightened to continue with the road construction.  Despite laboratory findings that the color of the water was due to a mixture of underground deposits of sulphur and mercury, the workers were still worried and donated money to renovate the temple in the belief that Kwun Yum (Goddess of Mercy) would be able to help them to avert any subsequent disaster.

HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

Within the area, local residents suggest that we visit a mall with the replica of a ship as landmark and part of the façade.  But for time constraints, we aborted the plan and leave the neighborhood for discovery of the Hongkong Island.


HUNGHOM KOWLOON FOR THE FIRST TIME

Hunghom may not be a popular tourist destination but it would not be named the Yamashita District during the World War II for nothing.

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