Sil Lum Hark Fu Mun - Hong Visit -
Master Wong Cheung Annual Dinner Celebration
In January 2013 Sifu Paul Burkinshaw and his student Robert Buckler had been invited to attend the annual dinner of “Siu Lum Hak Fu Mun Wong Cheung Martial Art Association” which was to be held in March. For many years Sil Lum Kune and UK Branch of Sil Lum Hark Fu Mun, headed by Sifu Paul Burkinshaw have been researching their links and lineage back to the traditional martial arts system taught by Grand Master Wong Cheung in Hong Kong.
Sil Lum Kune have experience in international travel having previously visited Hong Kong, China, USA on many occasions. Unfortunately for the first time there were a few technical challenges on this journey to Hong Kong.
Tuesday 12/3/2013 & Wednesday 13/3/2013
Due to unseasonal snow and freezing ice throughout northern Europe, many airports had been closed. When Paul and Robert attempted to start the first leg of the journey from Birmingham to Paris they were informed that the second flight from Paris to Hong Kong had been cancelled due to flight scheduling issues. Two alternatives presented themselves, either travel to Paris and remain stranded until the following evening’s flight to Hong Kong or wait at Birmingham for an early morning flight to Amsterdam and then Hong Kong. Paul and Robert opted for the latter option. The delay meant that a whole day of the trip was lost with the only saving grace being two tasty steaks and a hotel for the night courtesy of the airline. The flight to Amsterdam proceeded with little fuss and around four hours later the flight to Hong Kong of eleven hours had begun.
Thursday 14/3/2013
The 2013 dinner would be the first time that members of the UK branch had been able attend the annual dinner so it was important that Paul and Robert arrived as arranged with the Hark Fu family in Hong Kong. Due to the extended travel time, Paul and Robert agreed to meet with Alan Low one hour later than originally planned, which meant only a hour or two’s sleep in the previous twenty four! After arriving at Hong Kong airport at 7.05am on Thursday morning we collected our bags and made our way to the ticket stand for octopus cards. These octopus cards can be used on all public transport in Hong Kong. Once these were bought we caught the Airport express to Tsing Yi then crossed over onto the Tung Chung line. At Lai King we again changed onto the Tsuen Wan line to Tsim Sha Tsui. We got off the MTR here and took exit D which brought us out on Nathan Road just up from the Chungking Mansions. We had booked a hostel in the Chungking Mansions and after finally getting in touch with reception were shown to our room on the 16th floor.
Wikipedia States :- Chungking Mansions is a building located at 36–44 Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong which is one of the busiest districts of Hong Kong. It is located very close to the Tsim Sha Tsui Station, and the East Tsim Sha Tsui Station of the MTR.
Chungking Mansions is 17 stories tall and consists of five blocks, A, B, C, D and E. There are two lifts in each block, one of which serves even-numbered floors, the other one odd-numbered floors. A CCTV camera system exists at the ground floor level for each of the lift cars.
The first two floors are however common space where you can wander around under the blocks, the third floor is actually a terrace level between the blocks where the tower blocks rise out of the base of the building and all floors above this are accessible only by the stairways and lifts contained in each block.
The building is well known as nearly the cheapest accommodation in Hong Kong. Though the building is supposedly residential, it is made up of many independent low-budget hotels, shops, and other services. Chungking Mansions features guesthouses, curry restaurants, African bistros, clothing shops, sari stores, and foreign exchange offices.
While Chungking Mansions is designated for residential use, the building includes a wide variety of commercial establishments. It contains the largest number of guesthouses in Hong Kong in one building, with 1980 rooms in total. Since it offers some of the cheapest rates in town, it has become a legendary haunt for backpackers and budget travellers.
After a quick wash we then caught the MTR Admrilaty and crossed over onto the Island line to North Point. We had arranged to meet Alan Low at the exit to North Point MTR . As Paul and Robert were approaching the exit, Alan appeared from another direction and both recognised each other straight away. After greeting each other, Alan directed Paul and Robert to a local restaurant for an early lunch. Once seated at a table Paul and Robert gave Alan a DVD that they had put together of various rare Hark Fu Mun forms performed by the elders which had been filmed in the 1970s.
The Taste Fresh restaurant on Java Road
Robert had brought along his laptop computer so that we could play the DVD for Alan to watch as we waited for the various dishes to arrive at the table.Shortly after the food had arrived, we were then also joined by Franco Lok and the DVD was played a second time while we all ate so he could watch the old footage. After we had finished lunch Alan then directed us to the park which was located across Java Road, opposite the ‘Taste Fresh’ restaurant next to Victoria Harbour.
North Point Vehicle Ferry Pier Park
Franco had brought a suitcase which contained several conditioning tools such as a spring wheel, a stone jar and three stone locks as well as a weapons bag containing a straight sword and a broadsword. Alan had a kit bag with him, which held different types of striking pads and a weapons bag for his swords, two straight fans and an iron rod.We went through quick session of conditioning using the stone locks and spring wheel.
After this conditioning session we then spent alot of time going through several routines and weapons. We first went through the Iron Rod form with performances conducted by Alan and then Paul. We then talked about the variations of the routine before discussing the applications of the various techniques. This was useful because understanding the application I (Paul) have found improves a person’s technique and style of performing the move.
The next weapon form that was shared was the broadsword which was performed by Alan again and then Robert. Alan and Franco spotted that our interpretation of the flowers section within this routine varied from theirs. After briefly talking about this technique, we then practiced the way the Hong Kong branch applied this movement until it started to flow and followed their path.
Paul Burkinshaw, Franco Lok, Alan Low, Robert Buckler at Nort Point Ferry Park.
The process then continued for an open hand form called Kam Kong. Robert once again performed this routine for the UK branch while Alan’s student Sam Ribet performed it for the Hong Kong branch. The final form of this training session was Sam Gin which was performed by Alan and Paul. Paul had agreed to perform this routine for the Annual dinner which was organised for two days time on the Saturday evening. Paul was keen to ensure that he performed this routine to the highest standard and so took the last minute decision try and enhance this form altering several sections to come in line with the Hong Kong branches method.
After completing the training session the group walked back along Java Road a few hundred yards to the site which was once the North Point Youth Centre this had been a venue in the 1970s and 80s of Wai Yee Ying (Franco’s Sifu) Hark Fu Mun club.
This photo shows the site of where the North Point Youth Centre had been located at the end of Shu Kuk Street
After taking some photos of this location as a record of where the venue had been we then crossed the road and headed into the heart of North Point. We walked across Jave Road continuing up Shu Kuk Street up onto the Kings Road. We then walked a short distance along the King's Road until we reached the Foo Lum Palace restaurant for dinner.
Tram on the King's Road
Franco with his suitcase full of equipment
Franco lives close by to this restaurant so he went home to drop off his equipment while Alan took us inside and ordered the food. Franco returned a short while later with some red wine and we all ate dinner together.
Foo Lum Palace restaurant on King's Road, North Point.
Friday 15/3/2013
We met Franco and Alan at Prince Edward MTR station, Exit A and then made the short walk to Bute Street.
Photos of some of the main roads we crossed to get to Bute Street from Mong Kok MTR.
We took several photos of the outside of the building and entrance before Alan used his key to open the door and we all walked up the stairs to the roof top. All evidence of Grandmaster Wong’s gym had been cleared away in early 2007 after a local government authorities order had forced the removal of the prefabricated structure that had been the Hark Fu Mun headquarters.
Bute Street building
Front door entrance to Bute Street gym
The only indication that this site had once been the gym was the top half of a conditioning stone lock that was protruding out of an old cement stack. We walked around the roof top discussing where the different parts of the gym had once stood and the various apparatus. Several more photos were taken here before we then left and made the short walk around the corner to Portland Street.
Roof-top now cleared where the gym stood till early 2007
Alan Low, Franco Lok, Paul Burkinshaw & Robert Buckler on roof-top of Bute Street behind cement stack with stone lock pertruding.
332-334 Portland Street had been the site of Grandmaster Wong’s gym for approximately one year from 1973 to 1974 before GM Wong had then relocated to Bute Street. Franco explained the original building had since been demolished and replaced with a new structure in recent years. More photos were taken at this location so we had a record of this venue.
New building at 332-334 Portland Street, which was the site of the gym in 1973.
When GM Wong had returned to Hong Kong after the Second World War in 1949, he had found work at two Restaurant employees associations teaching martial arts. One of these was again just around the corner from Portland Street on Shanghai Street. Franco had made a phone call to GM Wong’s cousin, Kwan Pak Chuen who is the current Vice President (Internal) of the Siu Lum Hark Fu Mun Martial Arts Association and asked him some details of this. He explained that the restaurant on Shanghai Street had originally been called the Dragon Pearl, but this building had also been demolished in the 1970s and a new structure built there which is currently a restaurant as well. GM Wong had worked at this venue until sometime in the 1960s.
Site of the Dragon Pearl restaurant on Shanghai Street (2nd & 3rd floor).
The other restaurant that had employed GM Wong was located on the corner of Kweilin Street and Ki Lung Street. This is now called the Shun Hing Restaurant. To get to this location we took a short taxi ride from Shanghai Street to this area of Mong Kok. This site was still the same restaurant and GM Wong had worked here until sometime in the early 1970s. Franco and Alan both explained that after the War, GM Wong worked and lived the rest of his life in the area of Mong Kok.
The Shun Hing restaurant on the corner of Ki Lung Street & Kweilin Street
Alan then took us to a Kung Fu shop on Yen Chow Street to look at the various weapons and equipment that were available there and compare prices. After leaving this martial arts shop we then walked around the corner to a small restaurant for a fantastic lunch followed by some of Hong Kong’s famous Milk Tarts for dessert.
In the afternoon we took the MTR to North Point so we could train again in the park next to Victoria Harbour. This training session we focussed on the fundamental and primary form of Sam Sing Bo. Both branches performed this routine as was the normal practice now, to then discuss any differences and it was found that the UK method had a couple of very minor variations that were decided would be corrected. We then spent some time practicing these new movements and the applications of this routine so that we could understand the techniques better.
The next form to be compared was Dan Cheng (Single Elbow) which differed in some directions and the sequence of certain techniques. We again decided that for the sake of consistency it would be better for us to follow the method of the Hong Kong branch in their approach to this routine. Several hours were spent covering the movements and every application so that we fully understood their approach to this form.
Dan Cheng was broken down into sections and after completing each section we the recorded these new movements first, followed by the applications second. We continued this process for several hours ensuring that these new movements started to feel familiar and natural ensuring they would become habit. The last part of this days training session Paul focussed on Sam Gin which Alan took time to improve and then show the application techniques on these movements. Paul continued to drill these new movements for his performance at the Annual Dinner the following night.
Alan informed us that it was six o’clock and that we should think about finishing and so going for dinner. We followed Alan to the same restaurant as the night before called Foo Lum Palace on the Kings Road.
While we got a table and ordered the food, Franco dropped off his training equipment and then met us at the restaurant. After dinner Franco walked across the road towards his home while we took the MTR back to Admiralty and then swapped lines to Tsim Sha Tsui. We got off here while Alan continued on the MTR to his home.
Saturday 16/03/2012
On Saturday we had planned to visit Hong Kong Island and see Bowen Road where Grandmaster Wong had worked for several years from 1920 and then go to Wellington Street where he had set up his first gym in 1928. We met Alan and Franco at the North Point MTR station and then walked up onto the Kings Road with them. From here we caught a bus to Bowen Road which is located on the mid-levels above the districts of Central and Wan Chai above Happy Valley.
Wikipedia states :- Bowen Road (寶雲道) is a road from the Mid-levels to Wong Nai Chung Gap of Hong Kong Island, on the slope above Central, Wan Chai and Happy Valley in Hong Kong. Bowen Road starts from Magazine Gap Road near the rail of the Peak Tram and ends at the junction with Stubbs Road, Tai Hang Road and Wong Nai Chung Gap Road.
The road was named after George Ferguson Bowen, the 9th Governor of Hong Kong, from 1883 to 1885. It was colloquially called "Third Road" by residents in Hong Kong for being the third east-west road from the shore at that time. "First Road" and "Second Road" were Queen's Road and Kennedy Road respectively.
Some of the few houses that remain on Bowen Road.
The British Military Hospital was a hospital in Hong Kong for the use of the British garrison. It was located at Bowen Road from 1907 to 1967. It was built between 1903 and 1906, and officially opened on 1 July 1907. Often referred to simply as the Bowen Road Hospital, the first generation hospital was a 150-bed hospital constructed of red brick. It consisted of two blocks, each of 3 stories, configured with wards and a central administrative block. The balconies of some of the wards overlooked the harbour giving staff and patients beautiful views. Because of the hill sedan chairs were used to carry the sick from the lower levels up the hill each morning.
An old photo of the Bowen Road Hospital.
Our photo shows it is now a school.
Bowen Road is now mainly lined with new expensive apartment blocks and only one or two original buildings remain. Grandmaster Wong had been employed as a gardener in 1920 by a wealthy British family that lived in one of the houses that had at one time been located on Bowen Road. While working for this family Grandmaster Wong had become friends with Fung Ping-Wai who taught him Hark Fu Kung Fu. Unfortunately three years later the British family moved back to Britain and Fung Ping-Wai travelled with them. We walked the length of Bowen Road which is now used frequently by joggers, tourists and locals due to the impressive scenic views along its route.
From Bowen Road, we took a taxi into Central which dropped us off on Wellington Street. Franco made a phone call to Kwan Pak Chuen (Grandmaster Wong’s cousin) who informed him that Grandmaster Wong Cheung’s gym had been located near the junction of Wellington Street and Lyndhurst Terrace from 1928 until December 1941 when Hong Kong was invaded by the Japanese. Some of the buildings in this vicinity still appeared to date from the era and so we took several photos to maintain a recording of them.
These photos show the junction of Wellington Street & Lyndhurst Terrace
After this we then went into a Chinese Restaurant on Wellington Street for Dim Sum before walking down to Central MTR station. Alan swapped lines with us at the Admiralty station taking the Tsuen Wan line towards Kowloon while Franco continued on the Island line back to North Point.
We were looking to buy some Chinese style clothing so Alan took us to a Shop in Jordon that had the items we needed. He left us at this shop so we could have a look around while he returned home. After shopping we then returned to Tsim Sha Tsui where we then went to a tailors shop so Paul could have some shirts made.
We had arranged to meet Alan and Franco at Mong Kok MTR station at five o’clock with other Hark Fu Mun students. This was so that we could get to the restaurant early in order to set things up in preparation for the annual dinner to commemorate Grandmaster Wong Cheung. The restaurant was called the London Restaurant on Nathan Road and we were told had been used by the club in the region of thirty years. Even before Grandmaster Wong Cheung had passed away, his birthday had been celebrated with an annual dinner every year.
Entrance to the London restaurant. Dinning area is located upstairs.
At the restaurant we had a large separate room on the first floor and as soon as we entered Franco started to direct everyone what needed to be done. Chairs were laid out, banners and signs erected on the back wall. A table was placed in the centre of the back wall that had a photo of Grandmaster Wong Cheung standing in the middle with three cups, a bottle of brandy and a traditional tea pot.
Once the room had been set up some of the people then took the opportunity to have a last minute run through of the routines they would be doing later for the performance. Paul used this time to run through Sam Gin several times to ensure that he knew the position to execute the routine for space with no obstructions due to the limited room in the restaurant.
On two large screens within the function room, a slideshow of photos documenting the previous year’s activities was on display. These photos covered various charity demonstrations and 2012’s annual dinner which continually played throughout the night.
Members and friends of the Siu Lum Hark Fu Mun Wong Cheung Martial Arts association started arriving at the London Restaraunt. They were greeted by Alan Low, Franco Lok and the executive team (president / vice presidents etc) of the association. The staff at the restaurant started to bring in glasses of Chinese Black Tea for the guests as they arrived. They gathered together greeting each other and talking about what they had been up to since they had last met.
Wong Chueng’s cousin and Internal Vice President, Kwan Pak Chuen, had several old photo albums that were circled around the guests for them to look at and reminisce. Paul was really intrigued by these photos as he noticed that there were many he had not seen before and he spent some time browsing through these.
Franco had the job of being the announcer for the night and he turned on the microphone getting the event started. Everyone gathered at the front of the room in front of Grandmaster Wong photo where a small speech was made to pay respects followed by all present bowing three times to this photo.
The president of the association, Yeung Wong Hing opened the bottle of brandy next to Grandmaster Wong's photo and offered a drink to his memory. The president stood in front of the photo of the later Grandmaster Wong Cheung in a solemn stance and seemed to offer thanks and greetings to his Sifu. Suddenly the president leapt backwards on to the floor with a huge shout of Kiai and began performing some very fast side-kicks from his floor position. With further shouts of Kiai the president raised up into a low stance and threw out a flurry of snake hand techniques that were performed incredibly fast indeed. The president then stood up and bowed once more to the photo of Grandmaster Wong Cheung. This seemed to be a brief demonstration of spirit boxing or San Da which is an art that some of Grandmaster Wong Cheung’s students were taught.
The first item on the agenda of the Siu Lum Hak Fu Mun Wong Cheung Martial Art Associationwas the annual report from the committee. The committee members took turns with the microphone to give their reports, updates and plans regarding the positions they covered. This was then followed by a martial arts performance by Alan Low and his team covering pad striking, open-hand routines and various weapons routines. This included a two man staff form, the broadsword, cymbals, and umbrella.
Sam Ribet & Lee Wai performing two man staff routine
Chung Kin Wong performing broadsword routine
Thomas Chan performing cymbals routine 
Alan Low performing umbrella routine
This was followed by a presentation ceremony were certificates were given out to various members.
Paul was then presented to the association by Franco who relayed the history of the UK branch’s relationship to Hark Fu Mun. While Franco was doing this, Paul had been asked to do a short performance and had chosen the routine called Sam Gin to demonstrate his Hark Fu Mun abilities. As Paul progressed through the form the audience had initially been quite as they watched on. After this initial silence they started to be more enthusiastic at his demonstrations of the power sections and when he dropped into the riding horse sections of the form the audience clapped and cheered.
Paul Burkinshaw performing Sam Gin
We were left with the impression that they had enjoyed the performance and perhaps were even a little impressed. When Paul completed this routine, the president Yeung Wong Hing ushered Paul to the front of the room and presented him with a scroll from Grandmaster Wong's student association to Paul's UK Branch. Paul then presented a pennant from the UK Branch to Grandmaster Wong's student association.
Once Alan Low and his students and Paul had performed their demonstrations for the audience, several of theaudience members deicded that they would get up and do a routine. Some of these were well into their sixties but still moved with grace delivering powerful actions.
The restaurant staff then entered the room and set the tables out for dinner. Once this was done everyone was seated and the food was then served. We had the honour of being sat at the head table with committee members which included Alan and Franco. While dinner was served the restaurant staff also served drinks to the guests as Franco went around the room ensuring anyone who wanted some brandy was poured a glass. Franco is also a bit of a wine connoisseur and as on previous evening meals with us brought some red wine, ensuring that there was always a bottle on the tables from his own collection.
(President) Yeung Wong Hing, Paul Burkinshaw, Robert Buckler, & (Wong Chueng’s cousin, Internal Vice President) Kwan Pak Chuen
The evening continued in high spirits with Paul and Robert able to have conversations with many of Grandmaster Wong Cheung’s students with the help of translations from the English speaking members. Everyone seemed in cheerful spirits and thoroughly enjoy the evening. Many members of the Association offered to meet with Paul and Robert on their next trip so that detailed histories of the students could be documented and this is something that both Paul and Robert will look forward to.
Sunday 17/03/2013
We got up early this morning to ensure that we got to the North Point Ferry Park at 9.00am for the start of the Hark Fu class that Alan Low runs here every Sunday morning. Alan and some students were already there and a few arrived shortly after us. Alan then bowed the class in and started with a good stretch and warm up. The class then divided into small groups or singles to practice their own routines, certain movement drills and weapons. Alan asked us what we wanted to do and Paul stated that we would be happy to just drill Sam Sing Bo and Dan Cheng with the new movements to ensure we perfected them.
The last part of the class was practicing different strikes and kicks against pads.
Paul Burkinshaw
Alan Low 
Robert Buckler
Simon Ng 
Chung Kin Wong 
Paul Burkinshaw
Robert Buckler, Alan Low, Ho Wai Man, Paul Burkinshaw, Franco Lok, Simon Ng, Chung Kin Wong & Lee Wai
We finished training at about 12.30noon and then walked across Java Road to a local restaurant across from the park. For lunch Franco, Alan and three of the students, Tse lai Fun, Chung Kin Kwong and Lee Wai joined us for a Dim Sum lunch.
After lunch we thanked Franco for his help and hospitality during our trip and bid him goodbye as he walked home, we caught the MTR back to Kowloon with Alan and Chung Kin Kwong. Just before we got off the MTR at Tsim Sha Tsui we also thanked Alan and stated how much we really appreciated his help throughout our stay in Hong Kong. We then exited the MTR and returned to our hostel to shower and change.
In the afternoon we returned to the tailors shop on Kimberley Street to collect Paul’s shirts. Paul tried these on before we then walked up the road and found a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop. From here we walked up to Nathan Road and went into Kowloon Park where we sat down to enjoy our Ben and Jerry’s. After talking for about an hour in the park we moved on and walked onto Lock Road. As we walked down this road we came across a sports bar and so decided to have a cold bottle of Tsingtao lager. We sat here for a while talking and watching life go by. Before we left Paul went to the toilet and on his return told Robert about the interesting urinal located upstairs by the restaurant. Robert had to see this urinal and so he went to the toilet. The bar had mounted a large flat panelled TV screen in the actual urinal which meant that keen sports fans would not miss any sporting action even when visiting the restroom!
Flat screen urinal in the sports bar (Manchester Utd v Reading)
This toilet reminded Paul of another interesting restroom on the 28th floor of the Peninsula Hotel. This hotel was just a short distance away so we decided to go there so he could show Robert.
As we walked from from Lock Road past Isquare we noticed the registration on this Rolls Royce. Robert stated that he believed that this registration was probably worth more than the car.
We then came onto Nathan Road and walked down a few hundred yards onto Salisbury Road where the Peninsula Hotel is located.
Wikipedia states :- The Peninsula Hong Kong is located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, and is the flagship property of the The Peninsula Hotels group. Founded by members of the Kadoorie family The Peninsula was built with the idea that it would be "the finest hotel east of Suez." In December 1928 the hotel opened in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, located at junction of Nathan Road and Salisbury Road and directly opposite the quays where ocean liner passengers disembarked. Kowloon was also the last stop on the trans-Siberian rail link that brought travellers from Europe. As such, the Peninsula hotel was ideally situated to take advantage of the increasing number of wealthy visitors to the area.
In 1994, the hotel was expanded with a 30-story tower that follows the same style as the existing building. The facade of the existing hotel building was preserved, including the forecourt, the lobby and the front facade. The hotel remained in operation while construction commenced.
The new Peninsula Tower is atop with a helipad, being one of only two private rooftop helipads in the territory, the other being located on top of the Shun Tak Centre. It is used to transport VIP guests to the Hong Kong International Airport, with flight duration being 7 minutes. The total number of rooms increased to 300 with an addition of 132 rooms and suites. Other new features included 10 floors of office space, shops and hotel facilities. Since December 2006, the hotel has had a fleet of 14 long wheelbase Rolls-Royce Phantoms painted in the hotel's signature green. It was the largest single order placed with Rolls-Royce in the history of the company. It replaced a fleet of Rolls-Royce Silver Spurs.
In front of the Peninsula hotel
On the 28th floor is the Felix bar and restaurant. By the time we got there it was a few minutes before 8pm which is the time when the light show starts across Victoria harbour. We therefore decided to go to the bar viewing area first and watch this lazar and light show while having a drink. After a couple of drinks Paul got the tab which he had to take out a small mortage to pay for!
We then went to the restroom which has three small pedestal urinals in front of a full length glass window. Standing at these urinals gives you a spectacular views of Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon.
After a packed day we decided to go back to the hostel and relax for a while. We got out the lap top and wrote up the daily diary before settling back to watch a Tarrantino film. After the film we started to talk again and before we knew it, it was 2.30am in the morning so we called it a night and went to sleep.
Monday 18/03/2013
After such a late night we got up a bit later today and walked a short distance down Nathan Road, through Salisbury Gardens to Victoria Harbour. In Salisbury Gardens we decided to take some photos with the Peninsula Hotel in the background.
From Salisbury Gardens we walked towards Victoria Harbour coming out at the start of the Avenue of Stars. We took some more photos here across Victoria Harbour with Hong Kong Island in the background.
From here we walked along the Avenue of Stars which required several stops for photo opportunities with film icons such as Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Chow Yun-Fat and Run Run Shaw. During this time we had some great fun with other tourists taking photos and in particular an Italian chap from Naples.
Avenue of Stars
Wikipedai states :- The Avenue of Stars was modelled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is located along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsai. It honours celebrities of the Hong Kong film industry and was opened to the public in April 2004.
Robert & Paul by Bruce Lee's star
By Jackie Chan's star
Jet Li's star Chow Yun Fat's star
Run Run Shaw's star
By Bruce Lee's statue
At the end of this Avenue we had a coffee and ended up having an interesting conversation with an American couple that just returned from China on business. From here we decided to the Lobby located in the Peninsula Hotel for English high afternoon tea. We took the escalator located next to the coffee shop up onto Salisburt Road and walked the short distance along this road to the Peninsula hotel.
Robert on walk-way that crosses Salisbury Road with Avuene of Stars and Victoria Harbour in background. Hong Kong Island can be seen the other side of the harbour.
Paul on Salisbury Road with Salisbury Gardens, Hong Kong Space Museum & Museum of Art in background.
The Peninsula Hotel
English high tea at the Peninsula hotel is regarded as must highlight to experience while in Hong Kong. After about a twenty minute wait we were seated and ordered the English high tea. What seemed like only moments later a waiter laid out our cutlery, napkins, plate and tea cups. Shortly after two tea pots arrived and the accompaniments which the waiter used to pour out our teas. These were quite heavy as they were all solid silver. As we started to drink our tea a three tiered stand arrived with cakes on the top, sandwiches and savoury pastries on the middle and scones on the bottom tier.
Olivia’s Choice – restaurant reviews:- The Peninsula is Hong Kong's most iconic hotel, with a startling lobby that no other hotel in Hong Kong can possibly beat. The Peninsula is elegance and style at its very best. Its beautiful old colonial style reminds us of the British Hong Kong, and where better, then, to treat oneself to the typical English High Tea?
English high tea in the Lobby of the Peninsula hotel.
From where we were sitting Paul noticed a balcony in the corner of the lobby near us. He decided to go upstairs and take a photo from this position to try and show the granduer of the lobby.
Top of the stairs looking down into the Lobby
From corner balcony showing Lobby with Robert at our table
We finished the day with some last minute shopping so that we had some presents to bring back to our families. Paul and Robert packed their belongings away and early in the morning made their way to the Airport to begin the journey back to England. Paul and Robert enjoyed their brief stay in Hong Kong immensely. Whilst in Hong Kong Paul and Robert had learned a lot about Grandmaster Wong Cheung and his students throughout the years. It was also good to know that the UK branch was accepted by the Hong Kong association and that the instructors and students of the branch based in England could look forward to learning much more over the months and years ahead.