Despite having much cultural differences amidst the overcrowded population in bigger cities, Hong Kong is the place where you would never feel any bit foreign or uneasy. Having undergone a remarkable transformation in the past two decades, there has indeed been a rapid expansion in the services sector. Don’t get me wrong when I agree to the expansion in the services sector. That means the government now provide more services to the people and making things so much more convenient. However, the attitude from service personal is something I can never learn to comprehend at all my time when I return to Hong Kong. At the same time, the economic and financial integration between Hong Kong and the Mainland has been going from strength to strength, creating abundant business opportunities for a wide range of services. So chances are very high that you would have to handle some real high tech Mandarin while you are there in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is probably relatively familiar to most Chinese speaking society around the world due to the fame and popularity of many well known stars thanks to TVB. Playing such big role as a factor to penetrate and bring much culture to most of us as part of our life, I can never be happier while I am there in. If you are fan of the king of comedy Stephen Chow, then you probably have watched the movie God of Cookery. One of my all time favourite, not to mention the movie had featured a big scene of the Jumbo Kingdom, also known as the floating restaurant.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMB5T4SWA-g?rel=0&w=480&h=360]
Dining at this six star gourment restaurant , it was like dinner amidst the extravagant surroundings of a Chinese palace. Being one of Hong Kong’s truly unique attractions since its opening in 1976, it has excel in the preparation of seafood. Situated in Aberdeen Harbour, this world’s largest floating restaurant has become an iconic landmark of Hong Kong. Having spent so much time in Hong Kong throughout the years, I can honestly tell you that the dishes may be overpriced, but was worth an experience checking the place out.
If you must know, the entire experience would start right when board the ferry from the pier. The tension and excitement builds every time I am on the ferry (partly due to my worries and agony from being sea sick).
Along the way, you’ll see some very familiar scene from TVB drama most of us grew up with.
The easiest way to get there would be the super convenient MTR at Hong Kong station Exit D (yes I am too familiar with it) to the Aberdeen terminal. Go across via the pedestrian tunnel and proceed to the free boat ride on feet. I am not too comfortable taking the bus (because of the whole issue of not being able to read Chinese words) but I think there is bus from Exchange Square bus terminus to Shum Wan Shuttle Ferry Pier for the free boat ride as well.
Next we dine like a Chinese emperor. Abalone! After conversion to RM, abalone cost about RM 60-80 each. Also depending on the class of abalone you ordered. In Malaysia, I hardly order just abalone so I wasn’t too sure of how it differs with the one in Hong Kong. I guess cooking one whole abalone would be more challenging as there is no other ingredient to compliment the main. And I was told that the cooking time is real crucial when preparing abalone. So only a very experienced cook could master the dish with finger tips skills.
Next time I would compiled some street food and share some authentic Chinese gourmet. So if any of you visit Hong Kong often, do drop by the Jumbo Kingdom.
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[googlemaps http://maps.google.com.my/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=jumbo+kingdom+hong+kong&fb=1&gl=my&hq=jumbo+kingdom&hnear=0x3403e2eda332980f:0xf08ab3badbeac97c,Hong+Kong&cid=0,0,17113104697761987632&sqi=2&ll=22.24409,114.161207&spn=0.006295,0.006295&t=m&iwloc=A&output=embed&w=425&h=350]
Love, Sycookies