Once Saturday’s weather cleared, I ventured to the other side of Victoria Harbour to begin my afternoon as a Hong Kong tourist.

I had decided to catch the Big Bus for a tour of the Kowloon side given that I haven’t really explored much of that area, aside from the Temple Street Markets (I love the seafood there) and the immediate vicinity of where my office has now relocated.

I bought my ticket on the HK Island side, which includes the return trip on the Star Ferry. Camera in hand (I wanted to feel like a tourist too) I boarded for Tsim Sha Tsui. Upon arrival, I began my walk along the Avenue of Stars, pausing to see Jackie Chan’s hands and the Bruce Lee statue to arrive at the Starbucks rendezvous with a few minutes to spare.

My new Big Bus Plastic Poncho in hand, I was ready for the light showers on the upper deck of the open-topped bus. My intention was to do one full lap (about an hour and a half) and then go back again and get off at the areas where I might want to explore more thoroughly.

With commentary in at least six languages, they catered to everyone. I plugged my headphones in, pushed ‘English’ and listened to the Chinese chimes before the tour officially started.

Heading down Nathan Road, through to Jordan, Mong Kok, Hung Hom and back to TST, it covered the most densely populated area in the world. For 47 km², it is home to 2.1 million people. Some of the residential areas are massive but by and large, they are small. Interestingly, HK also has the second highest life expectancy in the world, behind Japan. I learnt more than this on the tour – these are the most relevant points for now!

I alighted at Langham Hotel on my second trip around so I could see the Ladies’ Markets a bit more closely. They weren’t particularly busy, partly due to the weather and partly because it was still a bit early. Similar (but different!) to the Temple Street Markets in goods sold though missing the vibe and grunginess of these markets. I prefer Temple Street but for those who can be a bit intimidated by bargaining, a lot of people, some dirt, street food and shopping a little later, the Ladies’ Markets are likely to be a favourite. Locals also shop here so they are probably a fraction cheaper than the Temple Street Markets too. Personally, I’d pay a bit extra for the atmosphere and the experience.

Arriving back at the starting point, I was starving. I had been thinking of high tea at the Peninsula Hotel (this is where the English surrendered to the Japanese on Christmas Day) but it was a little late. Instead, I went to an Irish Pub.

Every time I’ve been to this Pub, I try to save room for the apple crumble dessert. Again, my meal was too big and I missed out.

I’ve decided that I should do this kind of thing from time to time as it reminded me of when I first arrived here, my amazement at the number of people, the shops, the queues for the designer stores, housing, the age of the place and a totally different way of living.

It’s good for my perspective and will also mean when I do go back to Australia, I’ll have seen most of Hong Kong.

No, that’s not happening any time soon.