Can you believe it! A totally different, idyllic holiday set in the rustic surroundings of Ma Yau Tong Village in Kowloon City, Hong Kong. I must share my experience in this quaint little village set amidst lush greenery-hills covered with rain-drenched, fresh shrubs shining forth in their beauty as well as an array of trees, swaying in the wind and sending a gentle breeze over the land-a reprieve from the scorching sun of the hot, humid months of June, July and August.

Who would have believed that such pristine surroundings in an idyllic, rustic setting existed in the otherwise, hustling and bustling life of Hong Kong! My children had a taste of it this summer when we visited my brother who had moved from his sea-facing, high rise apartment in the city to the totally different, green Ma Yau Tong Village in Kowloon.

As we alighted from the taxi, we were thrilled when we saw the fairy tale cottage with a tiny front yard, surrounded by the hills and the canopy of trees shielding it from the main road. We had just a moment to breathe in the fresh air before we were smothered with licks and kisses from their dog in his customary, exuberant way of greeting visitors. Into the cheerful cottage we entered to plonk ourselves down on the floor soon refreshed with steaming mugs of Chinese tea and snacks. Tired out with our flight we relaxed at home and had an early night.

Next morning, we tackled our huge breakfast and dressed in comfortable clothes and casual loafers and set out with gusto to explore the village. As we walked the dog, we saw lovely cottages with pretty flowers adorning the tiny yards. We climbed up zig zag paths meandering their way into slightly hilly territory. The wild flowers growing in profusion in colorful array lifted our spirits and the children skipped in joy. We were even unfazed by the cloying humidity. However, if you plan to visit, October to March is the season.

If a back packing holiday which would not burn too big a hole in your pocket is on your bucket list, and you like the sea and exploring, and last, but not the least, want to shop till you drop, Hong Kong is the place. There are Airbnbs dotting the countryside which are reasonably priced and can be booked through booking.com and would be a totally different experience from the usual hotel rooms. Another place I can recommend is Saikung. A charming cluster of eateries overlooking the sea and serving awesome platters, ferry rides and beautiful surroundings make for a pleasant stay here. Do get yourself an Octopus card for easy swiping.

The public transport system is so good in Hong Kong, it is very easy to save money by avoiding cabs and take the bus or the MTR instead. For us, every place in Hong Kong was accessible from the nearest MTR-Hang Hau station. We would take the 98A bus or even 98C to Hang Hau. If one wants to go to the beach, Clearwater Bay is very near. We took the MTR to Tseung Kwan O just one station away. Then there is a bus 103M which drops you right at the spot from where a few steps down takes you to the beach.

If one wants a taste of the bustling energy of Hong Kong, one just needs to go to Central − swanky offices and all possible brands greet you here. To get to Central from Hang Hau, we had to take the purple line to Northpoint. At Northpoint, we changed to the blue line heading towards Kennedy Town to Central. In addition to the big shops if one wants some local flavor, you can stop by in a couple of lanes which sell knicknacs and souvenirs as well as shoes, bagsand clothes, which are reasonably priced. There is also the Worldwide House where you can exchange any currency and get the best possible rate. At night, the harbor is so beautiful with the glittering lights and you can see the ferries taking people to and fro from places like the New Territories and Discovery Bay to name a few. Live music, people joining in an impromptu karaoke, the Ferris wheel and the fairytale merry go round, all added to the infectious energy of Hong Kong. On certain days, there are also fireworks in the bay- a sight not to be missed.

On the way back, one can also take the MTR to Po Lam and take a cab to Ma Yau Tong if one is too tired. Would cost about 55 HKD approximately. Otherwise one can always get down at Hang Hau and take the bus. Hang Hau also has good shopping opportunities and you can shop to your heart's content. Prices are lower here than Central where the rentals are high-hence prices in most shops were way out of our budget. The mall next to the MTR has a lot of good boutique-like shops which were on sale. Eating joints were also great and it was cheaper than eating out in India even if one works out the conversion rate in the mind.

Here ends the first part of my travel diary on Hong Kong. Please stay tuned for the second part of my unusual experience in this charming city which has always been very dear to me!

Photo credits: Banner Left: greenqueen.com; Banner Center: theculturetrip.com; Banner Right: HKTatler.com

Can you believe it! A totally different, idyllic holiday set in the rustic surroundings of Ma Yau Tong Village in Kowloon City, Hong Kong. I must share my experience in this quaint little village set amidst lush greenery-hills covered with rain-drenched, fresh shrubs shining forth in their beauty as well as an array of trees, swaying in the wind