We descended Kowloon Peak on our bikes , the dirt trail giving way to stairs and tarmac as we made our way into the narrow streets of north Kowloon , clogged with markets and neon signs advertising things we couldn ’ t understand . A tucked-away bakery offered a welcome midday snack before we snaked our way past 40-floor-high apartment blocks , through the crazy traffic , as we continued downhill to Victoria Harbour . In places we rode the subway stairs to go underground , or took escalators up to the bridges that allowed us safe passage from block to block . Eventually we made it to Victoria Harbour and its spectacular views across to Hong Kong Island . Hans and I had been here before , but it was Martin ’ s first visit , and he was impressed , exclaiming that “ this is the most amazing city I have ever seen ”.
As the sun set on another day , the mirrored buildings reflected the high rises , water , yachts and junks – all ablaze with a golden glow . When it sunk below the structures on Hong Kong Island and day turned to night , the skyscrapers lit up with dazzling , vibrant colours of every hue . The night sky offered us an iridescent almost-full moon and Hong Kong gave us a city of saturated lights .
It was time to switch up the pace again and head back into the bright streets of Kowloon where , if anything , the energy level had ratcheted up .