Strolling Through Soho, Hong Kong
We decided to walk along the Soho streets after descending from Victoria Peak by tram.
On the first day in Hong Kong, we took the Mid-Levels Escalator and wandered around Soho,
but today, we decided to experience Soho by walking slowly.
A Hong Kong tour bus was right in front of us.
However, we chose to walk slowly instead of taking the bus.
The weather was very hot.
But the sadness of having to leave Hong Kong tonight was greater.
Soho Street
Instead of going down the street,
we turned into a side road to enter Soho.
Soho was connected to the Peak Tram station.
GBU, which we visited on the first day.
While walking, I saw the handmade burger place we visited on the first day in Soho.
It felt like a regular spot now that we were visiting for the second time.
Tai Cheong Bakery
Right in front of us was Tai Cheong Bakery,
which was still bustling with customers.
We didn’t eat egg tarts today.
Instead, we spent some time watching people pass by the shop,
and those who visited and left.
Mid-Levels Escalator
Many people were still using the Mid-Levels Escalator.
Though it was hard to understand immediately, there were quite a few people who seemed to prefer walking up and down this long and high path step by step.
This was how traveling should be done.
Kee Wah Bakery
We also visited Kee Wah Bakery, which rivals Tai Cheong Bakery.
While Tai Cheong is famous for its egg tarts, Kee Wah is renowned for its cookies.
The store was packed with people, leaving almost no room to stand.
Many cookies, perfect for gifts, were displayed.
Soho Alley
Instead of using the Mid-Levels Escalator, we walked down the hill through the alleys.
While we didn’t notice it when taking the escalator, many people were walking through the alleys.
Central Station
After walking through the alleys, we came down to the main road.
Trams, buses, cars, and people all moved smoothly without colliding, each going their own way.
The Mid-Levels Escalator, found again
The Mid-Levels Escalator was heading upstream.
We intended to just pass by but ended up riding the escalator again.
Strictly speaking, it’s more of a moving walkway than an escalator.
Although there are occasional stair-type escalators, most of it is a moving walkway on flat ground.
Taco Loco
I really liked the store’s interior and colors.
It looked like a taco place.
“One taco and a bottle of Corona, please!”
Mexican Man’s Taco Place
As we walked up the alley, we saw a wonderfully painted mural.
It was clearly a Mexican restaurant.
Soho Street
We slowly walked up Soho Street with a taco in hand.
Yorkshire Pudding
Though it’s called pudding,
it’s a famous pub in Soho.
Since we had to catch a flight tonight,
we couldn’t have a drink.
Soho Street
The steep road turns into a long flat path that circles around the hillside.
Each time such a path appeared, I was amazed by the different scenery.
Many people were enjoying drinks at pubs from midday.
The lively music seemed to explain why Soho is Soho.
Soho Wines and Spirits
Anyone could tell it was a wine bar or pub in Soho.
I liked the signboard.
Soho
The alleys of Soho are so charming.
They feel familiar yet new.
Soho seems to be the most down-to-earth yet upscale place.
Hoh Thai
Thai restaurant
Every restaurant in Soho had its own unique interior.
Each one was hard to just pass by, tempting tourists.
Phoenix Pub
The name is quite cool.
Phoenix
A miscellaneous goods store with a cool Chinese signboard
I really like such stores.
A place where you can drop by comfortably and buy what you need.
I felt more relaxed now that the trip was coming to an end.
Signpost
Even while walking through Soho, we often came across signposts.
Though the alleys were like a spider web, we never got lost.
And even if we did, it would have been a nice place to be lost.
Nico’s Spuntino Bar
It was such a beautifully colored restaurant.
I regretted not being able to stop by.
Peak Bar
I got excited when I found a hidden bar around the corner.
It was the kind of pub where you could casually greet others.
Fruit shop
As we walked down the alley, the fruits looked so delicious.
I couldn’t just pass by.
I bought a bag of peaches.
They looked fresh and tasty.
I ate one peach while walking down the rest of Soho Street.
Man Kee
Butcher shops everywhere use red lights.
It’s to make the meat look fresher.
The vegetable shop looked very green without using any lighting.
There were many vegetables we don’t see in Korea.
However, I didn’t feel the need to taste them.
A flower shop in Soho
There was a flower shop in the alley.
As a customer was talking to buy flowers, I waited a bit to see what flowers they would buy.
They watched the bouquet of fully bloomed flowers for a long time.
Another flower shop
I wondered who that bouquet, not yet fully bloomed, was for.
It was so hot that I needed to buy water.
I stopped by a small mart to buy water.
Dragon fruit
Fresh and affordable dragon fruit welcomed us.
Though they don’t look appealing, dragon fruits are tart and tasty.
There’s no ice water in Hong Kong.
No matter how hot the weather is, people in Hong Kong drink hot tea.
I was thankful just to find water in the fridge.
Ramune
There was Ramune, which isn’t sold in Korea.
It’s a soda-like drink sold in Japan,
with a marble in the mouth of the bottle, making it fun to open and drink.
It’s sweet and tasty but unfortunately not sold in Korea.
Soho entrance
We finished walking through Soho.
Though it was downhill, taking our time to explore the alleys took quite a while.
I didn’t expect to explore Soho so thoroughly.
But I was glad to have truly experienced Soho’s charm.
Pho Tai
It seems to be a pho place.
I really liked the interior and vibe of this place.
I felt disappointed that it wasn’t crowded with customers.
We passed by the shop and walked to our next destination.
We were about to take a boat across the sea.
Aug. 24. 2012