Getting to Masjid Ammar and Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre

Okay someone asked me how to get to Masjid Ammar and Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre (phew~ the name is sooooooo long it took me quite some time to refer to it's actual name and type it down). Also, judging from the keyword searches that led to my blog, I shall make a fast post on how to get to your next halal-food-MUST-GO-destination in Hong Kong.

because honestly, it was hard to find it because at some points, the streets totally didn't have any signs!

from Wan Chai MTR exit at A3, STAY ON JOHNSTON ROAD! Our mistake was we crossed over and went onto Wan Chai Road (the first thing when I saw the sign "Wan Chai Road" to be precise), got lost immediately after we found Mallory Street. That was when we walked aimlessly and ended up right outside Morrison Hill Swimming pool, and was just lucky we found the Oi Kwan Road Signboard.

So anyway, just walk on Johnston Road till you see Mallory Street or Burrows street (personally I'll prefer Mallory Street). You'll pass by 1 street on your left, walk further on and cross at the second street that you saw on your right. Cross that street and walk INTO the street (you'll see Oi Kwan Road Sign on your left), then turn right, that's where the Mosque is located.

If you search on Google Maps this is what exactly they will regurgitate out for you, even ask you to take the public transport. But it's worth the walk as you get to see the hustle and bustle of Wan Chai and the old delapidated buildings there. I honestly feel that this directions provided by Google maps is a tad bit far to walk (note that it takes a different exit), and there's too many street names for one to remember. 

Well I hope this piece of information helps! Happy eating fellow travellers finding halal dim sum in HK!

lotsa love,

zue.

Stanley, Hong Kong.

Stanley, Hong Kong.

I just want to be here and clear my mind, all over again. By far the bestest, calming place I have ever been to in Hong Kong.

And how I wished that I could fly here for a day and get my wedding photoshoot done. It's truly a wonderful place. Clean air, cool breeze, breathtaking scenery. Really, really therapeutic. But there wasn't any halal food here. Sucks much.

Hong Kong Trip Day 4: Halal Food and night markets!

Everyone was famished after the visit to The Peak. Our next itinery was, HALAL FOOD! So we made our way to find the Islamic Center Canteen, the most-talked and most-raved halal food eatery that is the must-go for Muslims worldwide.

From MTR Central Station we headed to MTR Wan Chai. MTR Wan Chai station is located at the Island Line, take the train towards Chai Wan.

Inside the station. Soooo many exits! and we had to walk quite a distance to get to the ticket gates.

The busy and crowded roads of Wan Chai. The buildings all look soooo old!

Panorama picture of the street nearby the Mosque. The mosque is on the extreme right of this picture.

Remember the Malaysian Man we bumped into during our dinner at Ziafat? He said that it's very near to get to the Mosque. But nooooooooooooo.

We must remember, that as Singaporeans, even a 10 minutes walk seems far to us. We shouldn't compare distances with Malaysians. hahah!

We got lost for a moment. All we had to do was to find Oi Kwan Road, but noooo. Somehow we got lost as some roads doesn't have any street signs. We got stucked outside a swimming pool at we-dont-know-what-road, and then we split up to find the mosque. Finally... TADAAA. we are here!

MASJID AMMAR AND OSMAN RAMJU SADICK ISLAMIC CENTER.

The information signboards comparing between Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Took a photo because I had no time to read. (:

As we reached close to 6pm, they have already stopped making dim sums. SO what we have left are these to try on. Disappointed! And we had to wait for about 7pm as that is the time when they start serving dinner.

The halal certified Islamic Centre Canteen is inside the mosque itself. Take the lift up to the 5th storey. As a visitor there isn't a need to comply to the house rules of being in a mosque. But in due respect to the people who are doing their prayers inside the mosque, it is best to put on long jeans and try to avoid sleeveless shirt if you plan on having your meals at the Islamic Centre Canteen. Well, just my two cents. It's a place of worship thus it deserves some respect from us, right?

FINALLY, ASIAN DISHES!!! I had crispy beef noodles. Pretty dry and the servings is quite large too!

Whilst waiting for the food to arrive, the men went down to perform their Maghrib prayers. We ladies at least can give an excuse for not praying, hee-hee. The adzan that was recited by the Bilal sounded much different than the adzan in Singapore/Malaysia. There, the people "amin" quietly, unlike in Singapore, where the jemaahs "amin" quite loud.

The not-so-crowded dinner crowd and its menu on the signboard outside.

We had our fill and then left. Point to note is that, there is a language barrier at the Islamic Centre Canteen. Only God knows if they are Muslims or otherwise. (Whilst the adzan was being recited and whilst the prayers was being held, one of the workers kept on going "alah akbar alah akbar" whilst talking and laughing to his colleagues. i find it very insulting and offensive. But i didn't manage to bring up the matter due to the language barrier. We don't look like Chinese but they will still speak their language to us anyway. So, Be patient.)

Aother information board inside the mosque and the prayer times clock.

Whilst making our exit out the mosque, there were several donation boxes for the aid for children in Gaza and also for help to improve the Mosques in HKG.

On our way back to the MTR station, there was this mobile softie! It sells ice cream, COOL! in Singapore there's only the apek with the motorcycle and side car selling ice cream. in Hong Kong they drive their vans! COOL LAH!

We planned to go to the Ladies' Market and Sneakers Street after having our dinner. We had to switch trains because there wasn't any trains that go straight to Mong Kok from Wan Chai.

How about some Trojan Records, anyone?(:

My verdict: It was sooo crowded it made me cranky. besides, there wasn't much restrooms to answer nature's call! i had to go in and out of "shopping malls" to find a toilet. Sheesh~ that sucks.

We bus-ed our way back to hotel. Remember I mentioned that Nathan Road is a very loooooooooooooong stretch of road? Yeah even Mong Kok station is still on Nathan Road. Taking the bus back to our hotel is a better option as we only need to wait for the bus. If we took the MTR, we had to walk one whole round just to get out of the MTR station. Sucks isn't it?

Hong Kong Day 4: The Peak!

On our 4th day in HKG, we planned to go to The Peak! well before I flew to HK, i did some journey research. Based on reviews from several people, it is advisable to NOT take the peak tram to get to the peak.In the first place, there isn't any systematic queues thus visitors/tourists can easily skip the queue and void others who had been in the queue waaaay before these queue skippers from boarding the tram.

Luckily, there was an alternative option to get to the peak. By Bus or Taxi! of course we took the bus as taxis are quite expensive and we had to hail 2 cabs since there were 7 of us. 

Whilst waiting for the bus at the so called "bus interchange"

We took bus number 15 from Central Pier 5. Well basically we took the MTR from our hotel which is Tsim Sha Tsui, to MTR Central station. Look out for the signboards that say "Exchange Squre" because the term "Central Pier" is quite misleading. I don't really know why it is referred to near Central Pier 5 because I don't exactly see piers around.

Confusing? okay okay. To make things simple, from MTR Central Station just look out for Exchange Square Bus Interchange/Bus Terminus. You'll have to cross a sort of link bridge and then the bus terminus is at level 1. To find the stand from where you board bus 15, well ... as a Singaporean you'll surely be able to scout for the stand, can't you? ((:

The fare from the bus terminus to the peak will cost you HKD$9.80. It takes you riiiiight to The Peak.

Not really a clear view. Boo~

Whilst in the bus on our way to The Peak. The first petrol station I saw whilst in HKG.

OKAY! I shall skip the views whilst on the bus first. Let's get the blogpost straight to my time at THE PEAK!

Dad bought the Sky Terrace 428 for all of us to have a view of HKG from the top. For adults, each tickets cost HKD$40. For children and senior citizens aged 65 up, the price is halved!

The view of HKD from the peak itself (whilst going up the escalator) was already exhilirating! They had glasspanels for people to view from.

BUBBA GUMP! two of the signboards says "stop forrest stop". Forrest Gump, one of an inspiring movies that I watched as a kid. Sadly it wasn't Halal so I didn't grab anything from the eatery.

One more escalator up, and here I am, at the top of the peak!

View from the top. It was foggy/misty even in broad daylight. 

Mom, why you close your eyes?!! 

Mom: it's very sunny lah! eyes pain you know!

okay okay. So a closed eye picture it shall be then.

Just look at the vast amount of skyscrappers in HKG! The picture on the right is the view from the left of the peak.

Panorama shot, FAIL. haha why got botak head?

I wonder if these houses cost a fortune. and it will surely take quite some time to travel to work. the right picture, oh my godness! can i have a house like this please! i'll surely add in a mini pool for some relaxation after a day or a night's work.

Left: From the back of the peak.
Right: The Peak Galleria. People on budget are able to also enjoy a scenic view of HKD from the rooftop of the Peak Galleria. It's free but the view from the rooftop isn't as breathtaking as seen from the top of the peak. The view is also quite obstructed though. The Peak Galleria houses several eateries.

Please do note that there aren't any Halal Restaurants at The Peak itself and also the Peak Galleria.

There was some "The Peak, I Love You" campaign going on at The Peak. It simply encourages couples to exchange their vows and express their love for their other halfs on top of the peak. It'll sure be very sweet and romantic if boyf was around and we exchange words at The Peak, and at night time amist the stars and the city lights.

On the Right: There was this several boards that displays the various history of Hong Kong and the Peak. A very interesting read. A MUST-CHECK-IT-OUT whilst you're at The Peak's Sky Terrace 428.

One of the few "The Peak I Love You" props at Sky Terrace 428.

Still upset at the misty and blocked view!!! Can't see Kowloon much!

Probably preparations for the upcoming Chinese New Year....

On the lower ground levels there are few stretches of shops that sells HKD's souvenior and tonnes of piled watches, keychains, pens, costume jewelleries at cheap prices! They will be much cheaper when bought in bulk. I bought a waterproof watch for myself and boyf whilst my parents and aunt bought souvenior and memorabilia of our time at HKG.

Ouh, Hard Rock Cafe outlet is also located at The Peak. There was a sale going on so we grabbed two items and got a Hard Rock Mug for free.

What annoys me was that, the staff at Hard Rock Shop were both Philippinos. ERKS! Are they trying to dominate the world, next to China? hais~

We skipped the Madame Tussauds Hong Kong because it was pretty expensive and we had 7 people. Ouh well, next time perhaps. 

Tickets for 1 adult costs HKD$230. That's like about SGD$35 to SGD$40. Well it's expensive because dad had to fork out cash for 7 persons.

You can get cheaper tickets too when you buy online or come and visit the museum when it's nearing closing hours. More details can be found at it's website below:

http://www.madametussauds.com/HongKong/en/BuyTickets/Default.aspx

After enjoying the breathtaking view from the peak, we head to The Peak Galleria. I bought a HKD Starbucks mug for my colleague since she requested me to get one for her brother. I also bought a herbal tea which stinks, and it was supposed to help clear my flu and cough. Unfortunately, my sickness just got worst. BOO~ The herbal tea was called "LUO HAN GUO", something like that. It stinks but tastes slightly sweet. So at least i was able to gulp it down my GI tract and finish it.

We bus-ed our way back too as we didn't want to get caught in the queue for The Peak Tram. The bus ride was quite jerky at times as it had to travel up and down the hilly roads. There were also extravagant terrace houses along the way. One can't help but to drool and dream of how their dream house will look like.

The bus made a roundabout here. The view from the houses here is surely very nice and since it's pretty far from the city, the air definitely will be cleaner eh?

That's about my day at The Peak on my fourth day of my Hong Kong trip. Definitely and surely, The Peak is a MUST-GO destination whilst you are at HKG. It'll be a bonus if you went there and there isn't any fog or mist. Some bloggers complained that they visitted The Peak at night and was deeply disappointed as the view was blocked my the mist. So my suggestion is to visit The Peak in the Morning ya?