Dim Sum & Ladies' Market in Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tai Po Market, and Travel Plans!

On Thursday, we went to the famous Tim Ho Wan restaurant, known for being an extremely delicious and ridiculously cheap with outstanding long lines: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/foodandwineholidays/7145607/Tim-Ho-Wan-restaurant-Hong-Kong-the-hottest-meal-ticket-in-town.html

We got several dishes, but unfortunately John only took pictures of three and I forgot my camera.

Baked bbq pork buns - I think I like steamed buns better

Chicken feet! Mainly skin, fat, and bones

Glutinous Dumplings, the outside tasted like a funnel cake - surprisingly delicious!

Despite its reputation, I actually liked the dim sum at the canteen on campus. The local girls that we went with said the restaurant had limited choices. My favorite dish didn't make the cut. There seemed to be a lot more fried and a lot less steamed foods.

Afterward, we explored Mong Kok a little. We went to the Ladies' Market, famous for cheap prices and the ability to haggle. I bought a purse for 50 HKD, down from 180 HKD. They obviously rip off ignorant tourists; hopefully, I wasn't one of them!

On Saturday, after unfortunately missing a tour, we explored Tsim Sha Tsui. It's the same place that the Avenue of Stars, which we went to at night a few weeks ago, is located.

Some views of the city:

There was park in the city as well:

It's apparently home to the biggest mall in Hong Kong! The entrance was decorated for the Chinese New Year:

We then took the train to Tai Po Market, a stop in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It's a great place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

I thought of Kayla when I saw this small shop:

Bakeries are all over Hong Kong, but Tai Po sold particularly inexpensive items. I bought the cake below along with 3 egg custards and some sort of red bean cake that I have yet to try:

The bakeries sell tons of different kinds of breads. They often have mean inside them. I got a piece of bread that tasted a lot like hawaiian pizza. It was my favorite item of the day:

In addition to a potsticker, I also ate a steamed bun with pork...

...as well as a steamed bun with red bean paste.  It was basically a manju with a different outside.

Needless to say, I was stuffed.

I also went to the Hong Kong Science Museum & enjoyed more sushi at Mine Sushi in Mong Kok with my friend Matt, another exchange student who goes to Berkeley, on Wednesday. I again forgot my camera, though, so I'm waiting to write about that until Matt posts his pictures.

I fly to Manila in four days! I don't really think I realize how close the trip is. My next stop is Phuket, Thailand from the 16th through the 19th of February. I also booked two flights today! I was worried the prices were going to go up, so I didn't want to wait any longer. I fly to Seoul, Korea from March 10th-13th and Tokyo from March 31st to April 4th. I'm traveling with Santiago (a Notre Dame student) on both trips. I'm missing class for the Tokyo trip, but with a layover, the inexpensive flights had very awkward flight times and I miss a lot of the day traveling. Japan is my number one destination, so I figured missing one day of classes is worth it. I AM SO EXCITED. Who knows where I'll book flights next?!