By Chris Chang, posted Sep 27, 2010 at 11:35 AM, 7,048 views,

A Week in Hong Kong 2

Long time ago, I introduced you to my life in Hong Kong, and now I’m bringing this exciting diary back for you. So, I’m happy to tell you that being a blogger is not just sitting in front of my computer, I love to take photos when I’m in downtown.

I always wished to get some break during the weekdays, since there are lots of stuff to see around in Hong Kong. Travel here and there in this city is my one of my hobbies, and here I have a unique place for Starbucks lovers.

Haha, I know Starbucks is everywhere around the world, but this one I have found at Central is extraordinary.

I’m not joking with you, this is Starbucks, in Hong Kong style. The whole theme is inspired from the old-school Hong Kong Bing Sutt (冰室), the city’s 1950s and ’60s-era coffee houses. This is real cool!

You can check out for more info at CNNGo. And the video below.

This is the most interesting sign I have ever seen. It says “Please shoot photos randomly”.

This board here is something like today’s special, and the wall clock is my favorite.

Looks like I’m back to the 60s… Anyone with me?

The big orange Chinese words “星巴克” means Starbucks.

This ceiling fan is pretty rare nowadays, although I often see it in classrooms. For the birdcages, they were hanging from the ceiling during the 1950s-60s. The ones we seeing here is a reference to the nearly extinct tradition of bringing your bird to the café.

These are the retro “curtains” which households and families used in the 1950s-60s.

See that small calendar? It is a Chinese calendar filled with green, health and lighthearted spiritual tips, often expressed in localized humorous ways. The entire calendar is supposed to be decomposable, using recycle paper, soy ink and traditional Chinese binding.

People often tear the old date away to show today’s date. Quite interesting.

The bowls and cups used in the old days. These stuff often appear in Hong Kong local movies…

Woah! These foldable stools are the most classic stuff in Hong Kong, and the locals have a nickname for it, the top ten violent weapons. See the video below to see how it really works…

The orange and red signs represent the food menu since these big character signs are treated as menu in cafes and restaurants at Hong Kong. This is a culture of HK cafes.

Just look at these big character signs and order what you want to eat or drink.

These artworks can be treated as the menu too, telling the customers about the special food and service available in the cafe. Sometimes, the Chinese words are read from the right.

This is a Chinese Opera poster.

The green old metal windows opening with little decorations stuff.

See the fly-swatter? It’s the best tool to hit a fly rather than using an iPad…

These are the mini board games for kids in the old days.

That green little spiral coil is the most effective way to kill mosquitoes way back in the old times.

The order receipts are often hanged to let the waiting stuff to check the orders anytime.

The menu. Looks very different from other Starbucks.

This sign board says, ‘Comfortable seats available’. We often see this sign in the local restaurants during the 1970s.

This yellow sign is often seen as a reminder for customers to share the booth seats, which almost are the trademarks of all cafés in Hong Kong. Three people are allowed to occupy each booth seat.

The way to washroom.

The pastries here are different. This Starbucks provide some classic pastries which are originally from the Chinese bakeries.

My favorite. Pineapple bun with thick cut butter.

When there’s an empty street shop available for rental, there will be lots of posters and adverts pasted on the front gate of the shop. So, if a person is interested to rent this street shop, he can call up the number listed on the adverts.

The cheapest public transport here is probably the tram. Just $2 HKD per trip.

Yummy! Here’s a shop selling roasted meats, the locals call it as a “Siu mei” shop.

You can’t miss the crispy egg tarts at Hong Kong. I eat one everyday.

There are lots of different flavors for you to choose. Coconut and black sesame flavors are very unique.

Getting curious with the parrots in an old pet store.

Passed by a pawn shop while I’m heading back home.

My Tuesday lunch, Chinese dumplings. This restaurant is from Taiwan, 四海遊龍.

Hong Kong-style corn soup. $8 HKD.

Highly recommended food, braised beef noodles. $28 HKD.

And here’s my tasty dumplings! $25 HKD.

Shopping around the street market at Wanchai, it’s unbelievable to find a toy shop on the streets.

Filipino maids always have their gathering on Sunday. See that netbook on the left?

There’s always a van like this traveling around the city everyday. It sells ice-cream and people can just go forward to buy one for $7 HKD. It’s very delicious.

Sitting down for some sushi with my friends. I’m at Genki Sushi.

I was drooling when I see the Toro…

Deep-fried prawn roll. $14 HKD.

A really special miso-soup. $12 HKD.

Free flow of Japanese green tea.

Watching a dancing performance at a big shopping mall, Taikoo Shing. I remember seeing lots of camera geeks around me.

Thinking to do some homemade curry rice.

Woah! There are pretty much choices for me.

Checking out the wines section.

A Chinese wine. Looks like an antidote to me…

You got to try this if you have a chance to visit Taikoo Shing, it’s the best Vietnamese beef noodles in Hong Kong. $28 HKD.

Sweet desserts! I love the yellow one which is a mango pudding.

I’m just having a cup of coffee at McCafe, $12 HKD. Hanging out with my friends for some chit-chat. So, that’s all for this week and I will bring more nice photos to you next time!

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TAGS: A Week in Hong Kong, Culture:China, Chinese, food, HKD, Hong Kong, photos, starbucks, videos