Winter WonderRUN, 14 Dec. 2008

It was 6AM and yet it looked like 5AM back home. I shivered against the cold as I went out of the hotel. This was my first winter practice run. My route would be from my hotel to Nathan Road, the main thoroughfare in Kowloon, Hong Kong to Victoria Harbour.

The harbour is simply the stretch of water that is located between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. Sprawling over an area of about more than 42 square kilometers, the Victoria Harbour is one of the world’s busiest ports, and has now become one of the most sought after tourist spots in Hong Kong, with its breathtaking views, excellent transportation network, bustling sea port, and more than a century old ferry services.

I was a bit scared but I banished the thought from my mind and concentrated instead with my pacing. I saw some young people on their way home after partying perhaps. Finally… A sight to behold! Ahead of me, was a guy doing his early morning run. An hour later, I finally saw more runners along the avenue. There was also a group of old people doing Tai-ichi, and tourists taking some pictures. Running along the harbour would also mean running along the Avenue of Stars and discovering Hollywood in Hong Kong. For one who grew up watching Chinese kung fu films, this run was awesome! A two-hour and a half practice run made my day!

Last night was a blast, too! I watched the Symphony of Lights, a light and laser show in which building found on either sides of the harbor are incredibly illuminated. The charm and beauty of the harbor was double-folded during night.

My first trip to Hong Kong wouldn’t be complete without the night market shopping along Temple Street, taking a ride on a double-decker bus, MTR and the Peak Tram at Victoria Peak, going to Disneyland, seeing their tallest Christmas tree and most of all, visiting Hong Kong’s financial district. To top it off, I visited one of their information centers.

Who would have thought that 2008 would end up with a travel to Hong Kong? Life, really, is full of surprises!

So many things left to be discovered yet not enough time.

But like the famous catch phrase by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s title character from the 1984 science fiction thriller film, Terminator,

“I’ll be back!”