How to Make Money Hatching Eggs

Egg hatching may appear difficult, but in fact, it all depends on timing and a tiny little bit of discipline. Most of us don't realize that waiting for a paycheck takes one month but we do realize that waiting for an egg may take only 21 days etc. In other words, difficult roads lead to a beautiful destinations. Hatching eggs is not a highway and needs a certain degree of patience as well as passion! 

If you have been collecting eggs for eating you might be used to collecting them once a day. However, if collecting eggs for breeding, it is a good idea to collect your eggs twice or even three times a day. This ensures that the eggs don’t get dirty and that the hen doesn’t accidentally start them developing by sitting on them.

When you collect the eggs from the nest box you should be very careful not to jar, bang or crack them. This can damage the membrane and internal parts within the egg itself. You should also take care not to leave them in the sun or in the cold. It might sound quaint but collecting your eggs in a basket with some straw in the bottom will help keep them safe and stop them from rolling around or cracking. You should also make sure that your hands are clean when handling the eggs so that you don’t pass on any bacteria. The best way to do this is to use anti-bacterial wipes.

You can store fertile eggs for up to 7-10 days before incubating them. You should try to keep them between 12 degrees C and 15 degrees C in a drought-free place. This slows down the cell division and ensures that the eggs don’t lose too much moisture through their shells. Regardless of how keen you are to get started, you must wait at least 24 hours before starting to incubate an egg because otherwise, it might not hatch. While you store them you should ensure that the eggs are turned every day. The easiest way of doing this is to store your eggs in an egg box or egg tray with the sharp end of the egg pointing downwards. You ‘turn’ them by tilting the tray or box to one side using a block of wood under one side. Simply move the block of wood to the opposite side each day and it will keep the eggs in good condition.

The temperature inside an incubator is the perfect temperature for breeding chicks but unfortunately, it is also the perfect temperature for breeding bacteria too. However, you should avoid over-cleaning your eggs because this tends to remove both the dirt and the outer cuticle from the egg as well. This can leave the egg at greater risk from bacterial contamination in the future.

How to choose the right egg incubator for your needs

Let's face it, buying an egg incubator is not something you do every day! Most of our clients are first-time buyers and many questions are usually asked regarding what they should look out for and what size incubator they should buy. Below is some important information you need to take into account when making your decision.

How many eggs do you want to hatch at a time or per month?

It's important to decide how many eggs you would want to hatch at a time or per month. This will determine what size incubator will be suitable for your needs. It's also important to take into account that you will more than likely need more incubation space as you grow your flock - so don't buy too small at the beginning. 

Some examples of Egg Incubators: 
(Link to full description on Amazon)

Homdox Egg Incubator; Fully Automatic Egg Incubators 12 Eggs Poultry Hatching with Egg Turning

Mini 7 Egg Incubator; One of the smallest and cheapest incubators on the market. The success hatching rate is around 50%

72 Eggs Incubator; Larger scale incubator, Suitable for chickens, ducks, geese, and other poultry, quail, parrot, pigeons and other birds.

Estinl brand egg incubator; Although made in China, it's one of the best egg incubators. Steady temperature keeper for 56 eggs. 

24 Eggs mid size incubator; Equipped with candler, LED, and high precision temperature controller. One of my favorites. 

R-Com MX 20 egg incubator; Let's say this, this incubator is the Ferrari among incubators. The price is like a Ferrari too by the way. However, just push the button and this incubator will take care of the rest. 

What is the ideal temperature for hatching chicken eggs? 

The temperature should be kept between 100-102° throughout the entirety of the incubation period. Keep in mind that as the chicks grow, and the larger they become inside the egg, the more heat they will produce. After day 17, it is important to keep an eye out for surges in temperature and quickly respond. Quickly turn the temperature down and spray the eggs with water to cool them. Temperature spikes can be detrimental to the chicks.

Turning Eggs During Incubation

If the incubator does not have an automatic egg turner, and the turning is done by hand, then they ideally should be turned at least 4 times a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and before bed. It is an easy process to turn them: the X is up one turn and the next turn the X is down. This is done to prevent the developing chick from sticking to the side of the egg.

But the moment the egg is set in the incubator or under a hen…life begins. (This is just an example for hens, it works for Ducks, Turkeys, Guineas, etc. The only difference is the length of the entire incubation process)

FIRST DAY

16 Hours: First sign of resemblance to a chick embryo

18 Hours: Appearance of the alimentary tract

20 Hours: Appearance of the vertebral column

21 Hours: Beginning of formation of the nervous system

22 Hours: Beginning of formation of the head

23 Hours: Appearance of blood islands–vitelline circulation

24 Hours: Beginning of formation of eye

SECOND DAY:

25 Hours: Beginning of formation of the heart

35 Hours: Beginning of formation of ear

42 Hours: Heart begins to beat (TWO days and the heart is beating! WOW!)

THIRD DAY

50 Hours: Beginning of Formation of amnion

60 Hours: Beginning of formation of nose

62 Hours: Beginning of formation of legs

64 Hours: Beginning of formation of wings

70 Hours: Beginning of formation of allantois

FOURTH DAY Beginning of formation of tongue

FIFTH DAY Beginning of formation of reproductive organs and differentiation of sex

SIXTH DAY Beginning of formation of beak and egg-tooth

EIGHTH DAY Beginning of formation of feathers

TENTH DAY Beginning of hardening of the beak

THIRTEENTH DAY Appearance of scales and claws

FOURTEENTH DAY Embryo turns its head toward the blunt end of the egg

SIXTEENTH DAY Scales, claws, and beak becoming firm

SEVENTEENTH DAY Beak turns toward air cell

NINETEENTH DAY Yolk sac begins to enter the body cavity

The TWENTIETH DAY Yolk sac is completely drawn into the body cavity; embryo occupies practically all the space within the egg except the air cell!

TWENTY-FIRST DAY Hatching of chick!

And during this whole process of development, you are instrumental in keeping the proper humidity and temperature and the eggs turned throughout each day.

Please always remember to ship your eggs timely

Use a fast shipping time for optimal hatch rate. When shipping hatching eggs, keep in mind that the more egg ages the less likely it is to hatch successfully. For best results, gather the eggs from the nests and have them shipped within a couple of days. I have had some success with eggs held longer, but the fresher the better.

Conclusion of hatching eggs for profit

Breeding chickens for-profit and hatching eggs to sell day-old chicks may not be all it’s cracked up to be for everyone or every situation, but it may be something you will love and it may be a great fit for your situation!

The most important aspect of expanding any business or looking into new markets of profit is to do the important and necessary research before jumping in. There have been many ideas that I thought were brilliant and I thought they would help us expand and save money, but when I did the legwork and research, I found out that in reality, it was a horrible idea and would have cost much more than it would have saved us in both time and money.

The good news is that starting a hatching business doesn’t require a large investment and it could be started small to get a feel for the market in the area. And if it doesn’t work out, it can easily be stopped without any repercussions.

How To Get From/To Suvarnabhumi Airport?

If you’re travelling the 30km distance from Suvarnabhumi Airport to central Bangkok, you have 4 choices. You can take the airport bus for $2, the city bus for $1.20, the train for $1.30 or a taxi with prices starting around $14. Travel time is 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.

If you stay around the Khao San Road area we recommend taking the airport bus. It’s a cheap and hassle-free transport that takes you straight to the backpacker district.

You can also take the train, but you will need to arrange an extra transfer (taxi or tuk-tuk) from your hotel to the train station.

If you stay in downtown Bangkok (Sukhumvit area), we suggest taking the BTS (Skytrain) or MRT (Subway) and then transferring to the Airport Rail Link. The Airport Rail Link will drop you off directly at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

A taxi definitely provides more comfort but can take longer depending on traffic. If you choose to take a taxi, we recommend taking a train and taxi to your hotel so you don’t end up in traffic for too long.

Transport mode	Duration	Costs	Availability
Airport Bus	1 hr	60 THB ($2)	No online tickets
City Bus	1-1.5 hrs	35 THB ($1.20)	Check City Bus Online
Train	30-40 mins	40 THB ($1.30)	Check Train Tickets Online
Taxi	40 mins	from 420 THB ($14)	Check Taxis Online

Suvarnabhumi Airport by Airport Bus

Duration: 1 hour

Costs: 60 THB ($2)

There is an airport bus (S1) that goes from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khao San Road in central Bangkok and vice versa. These buses are normally orange-colored, but they have recently added new blue buses for this route.

To find the S1 airport bus, take the escalator down one level and exit the arrival hall at Gate 7. Then pass the crosswalk and you will see the sign for Line S1.

These airport buses depart almost every 30 minutes from the airport to Khao San Road. They only stop at designated stops along its route. But it is a great option if you’re staying in the Khao San Road area as the bus stops just 100m from the famous backpacker street.

See the bus route below:

Suvarnabhumi Airport – Democracy Monument – National Gallery – Sanam Luang Bus Terminal (few minutes walk from Khao San Road)

The airport bus has a standard fare of 60 THB ($2). Allow at least 1 hour for the journey, possibly longer depending on traffic, especially during peak hours.

S1 buses are available from 6:00 to 20:00 at the airport and from 7:00 to 21:00 when coming from Khao San Road.

Suvarnabhumi Airport by Public Bus 
Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours Costs: 35 THB ($1.20)

The public bus from and to Suvarnabhumi Airport is a cheap way to get to the center of Bangkok, but it is one of the slowest options.

The city buses depart from the Transport Center near the airport terminal, which you can reach by the shuttle bus (not to be confused with the first option). Shuttle buses are parked outside the arrival hall.

There are three different city buses going to different areas across Bangkok. These buses operate 24 hours per day, which also makes them a cheap alternative if the airport buses are not available.

Bus	Route	Fare	Interval
Bus #551	Airport - Victory Monument (vise versa)	35 THB ($1.20)	Every hour
Bus #552	Airport - On Nut BTS Station (vise versa)	35 THB ($1.20)	Every hour
Bus #556	Airport - Bangkok Southern Terminal (vise versa)	35 THB ($1.20)	Every hour

Without traffic, the travel time is about 1 hour to the final stop. With traffic, it can take 1.5 hours or more. Bangkok has very busy roads and it’s important to keep this in mind when travelling throughout the capital city, especially if you are on a tight schedule.

The city buses do not provide separate luggage compartments so you will have to carry your bags with you. This is not comfortable or convenient on a packed bus, therefore we do not recommend this option if you have a lot of luggage.

Also, carefully check the stops along each bus route to make sure your hotel is near one of them.

BUS ROUTES

Bus #551 : Airport – New Bangkok-Chonburi Expressway – Srirat Expressway – Asoke-Din Daeng Road – Ratchawithi Road – Victory Monument

Bus #552 : Airport – Bangna-Bangpakong Road – Sukhumvit Road – On Nut BTS Station

Bus #556 : Airport – Yommarat – Democracy Monument – Thammasat University – Pata Department Store – Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal

Suvarnabhumi Airport by Train

Duration: 30-40min
Costs: 40 THB ($1.30)

The Airport Rail Link is an easy way to reach Bangkok. Especially during peak hours, the train can often be quicker than the bus or a taxi. The only disadvantage of taking the train is that you will likely need another transport from the end station to your hotel or the other way around.

The airport link is connected to the BTS via Phaya Thai station and to the MRT via Makkasan Station.

The train operates from 06:00 to 00:00 every day. Travel time takes about 30-40 minutes and fares range from 15 THB – 50 THB ($0.50 – $1.70). Fares will depend on which station you boarded the train.

You can buy tickets at the train station located in the basement of the airport or you can book online via Klook for 40 THB ($1.30). Note that the Klook airport counter is only open from 8:00 to 23:00. This is also located in the basement, near the Airport Rail Link.

The airport rail link has the following route:

Suvarnabhumi Airport – Lat Krabang – Ban Thap Chang – Hua Mak – Ramkhamhaeng – Makkasan – Ratchaprarop – Phaya Thai

Top 5 Martial Arts Fights of All Time

Who doesn’t love a good movie? Who doesn’t like a good fight scene? There are few things as great as a fun martial arts movie to motivate an aspiring martial artist to practice, practice and practice.

In between all that practicing, grab a snack and watch some of these great martial arts movies from my very own Top five list of Best Martial Arts Movies. The martial arts actors and at the same time masters are more or less the same ones we knew since childhood. I was always inspired by Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Steven Seagal till Jackie Chan stunts.

5. Enter The Dragon (Hong Kong, 1973)

Famous Bruce Lee vs Chuck Norris scene, this fight is the most legendary! The film was shot on location in Hong Kong. All scenes were filmed without sound: dialogue and sound effects were added or dubbed in during post-production. Bruce Lee, after he had been goaded or challenged, fought several real fights with the film's extras and some set intruders during filming. The scenes of Han's Island were filmed at a residence known as Palm Villa near the coastal town of Stanley in Hong Kong.

Bruce Lee with legendary master Ip Man

Bruce Lee's martial art training with Master Ip Man in Hong Kong

4. Fist of Legend (Hong Kong, 1994) Jet Li vs Japanese General

Later films have also been influenced by Fist of Legend. Hitman also has a scene involving him using a belt as a weapon as seen previously. The more realistic and less wire-driven fight choreography seen in Kiss of the Dragon was a result of fan criticism of Corey Yuen's choreography in Romeo Must Die and preference for the style seen in Fist of Legend.

3. The Big Boss (Hong Kong, 1971) Bruce Lee

The Big Boss is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts action film written and directed by Lo Wei, with assistance from Bruce Lee, and was Lee's first major film. It stars Lee, Maria Yi, James Tien and Tony Liu. Originally written for Tien, the leading role was given to Lee instead when the film's original director, Ng Kar-seung, was replaced by Lo. The film was a critical success and excelled at the box office. Lee's strong performance overshadowed Tien, already a star in Hong Kong, and made Bruce Lee famous across Asia.

2. Best of the Best (USA, 1989) 

Best of the Best is a 1989 American martial arts film directed by Bob Radler and produced by Phillip Rhee, who also co-stars in the film. The film also starred Eric Roberts, James Earl Jones, and Chris Penn. The plot revolves around a team of American martial artists facing a team of South Korean martial artists in a karate tournament. Several subplots pop up in the story - moral conflicts, the power of the human spirit triumphing over adversity and the meaning of life are some themes. Set and filmed in Los Angeles, California, and Seoul, South Korea, between February 13 and April 6, 1989, Best of the Best was released on November 10, 1989.

1. Bloodsport Frank Dux vs Paco (USA, 1988) 

Bloodsport is a 1988 American martial arts film directed by Newt Arnold. It stars Jean-Claude Van Damme, Donald Gibb, Leah Ayres, and Bolo Yeung. The film is partly based on unverified claims made by martial artist Frank Dux. It sold well at the box office, grossing $65 million on a budget of $2.3 million. Bloodsport was one of Van Damme's first starring films and showcased his athletic abilities. It has since become a cult film. Van Damme plays Frank Dux, a man who goes AWOL from the U.S. Army to compete in the Kumite martial arts tournament. The character and story are purportedly based on the real-life Frank Dux. He is also credited in Bloodsport as the fight coordinator — who claims to have served in the military in Southeast Asia.

Two legends, Bruce Lee and J.C. Van Damme (fictional picture)

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The Mysterious Lady that Introduced Tofu to the West

Madamme Yamei Kin introduced Tofu to the West

In 1917 Yamei Kin, a Chinese-born doctor then living in New York, visited her homeland to study a crop that was virtually unknown to Americans: the soybean. By that point, she had become something of a celebrity dietitian. For years before the mission to China, she had been telling women’s clubs that tofu and other soy products were nutritious alternatives to meat and that they required fewer resources to produce. She liked to say that they tasted “a little like brains and a little like sweetbreads.” In other words, she is credited with introducing tofu to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) during World War I.

Kin Yamei was born in 1864, in Ningbo. Her father, Rev. Kying Ling-yiu, was a Christian convert.
As a small child she was orphaned during an epidemic; she was adopted by American missionaries, Divie Bethune McCartee and Ms. McCartee. They encouraged her to use her given name, and to learn Chinese as well as English; she also learned to speak Japanese and French. She attended the Women's Medical College of New York, where she finished at the top of her class, and the Chinese Consul attended the graduation ceremony to witness her achievement. She pursued further study in Philadelphia and Washington, D. C. In 1888 she became the first Chinese woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. She also learned photography skills and published a journal article on medical photo-micrography while she was in medical school.

In 1907, Kin began running the Imperial Peiyang Women’s Medical School and Hospital in the northern Chinese city of Tientsin, now called Tianjin.

She later founded a nursing school in the city with funding from Yuan Shikai, a Qing dynasty official who would become president of the new Chinese Republic after the 1911 revolution, said Zhou Zhuitian, a historian in Tianjin. Prusek wrote in his book that she also served as the physician for Yuan’s family.

Kin returned to China for good in 1920, two years after her son, Alexander, died while fighting for the United States in France in the waning weeks of World War I.

She died in 1934 at the age of 70, leaving no survivors. The cause was pneumonia.

At her request, she was buried on a farm outside Beijing. Shortly before her death, she said: “Here my dust will blend with soil, and after the pile of clay they will place upon my grave has crumbled as well, I will become a field, a fertile field.”

If you are interested in cooking tofu dishes, you may find this book interesting; Tofu the Ultimate Recipe Book

Today, Tofu is as famous as Pizza

Did you know that there are many types of Tofu in the market? Every type of Tofu can be good for something specific in the menu. Tofu is categorized by texture or consistency. The texture is determined by the water content in the tofu. The more water, the softer or ‘silkier’ the tofu; with less water, the tofu is firmer. Tofu is categorized as silken, regular, firm, extra-firm and super-firm. Silken, the softest type of tofu, can be compared to a young white cheese. Firm tofu, the most common, has the same consistency as feta, while the texture of super-firm can be compared to that of meat. You should be able to guess the textures in between.

Some special tofu varieties are:

Silken Tofu

Silken tofu, also known as Japanese-style tofu, is silky, creamy, and has the highest water content. If you try to hold it, it will fall to pieces. Silken tofu looks like a very young cheese such as burrata (a kind of mozzarella) and can be used as a thick cream, fresh cream cheese, or ricotta in cheesecakes, smoothies, dips or even ravioli fillings. You usually prepare dishes with silken tofu when it is wet.

Regular Tofu

This type of tofu is used primarily in Asian dishes. It is a little more compact than silken but still soft. Regular tofu easily soaks up the flavors of sauces and broths and so is often used in noodle soups and stews. You can also make delicious spreads using regular tofu, or ‘scrambled’ tofu, a vegetarian take on scrambled eggs. Don’t pan-fry or deep-fry regular tofu as it is likely to crumble.

Firm Tofu

Of all the types of tofu, firm tofu is the most widely available in supermarkets. Firm tofu is quite compact and is often packaged soaked in liquid – the amount depends on the type of packaging. Firm tofu is like feta: it doesn’t crumble when you pick it up and it is easy to chop. In the kitchen, firm tofu is the most versatile of the tofu types. It can be pan-fried, stir-fried, deep-fried, put in a stew, used as a filling or to make spreads. Be sure to fully dry firm tofu before cooking, to ensure it can absorb the marinade and will splatter less in the pan. Firm tofu can also be bought smoked or seasoned.

Extra-firm

Extra-firm tofu has less water than firm tofu, which you notice in the difference in texture. The culinary possibilities of firm and extra-firm are almost the same, but extra-firm tofu doesn’t absorb marinades as well. On the other hand, extra-firm is easier to pan-fry, stir-fry or deep-fry. Follow your personal preference.

Super-firm

If you look at super-firm tofu you can easily mistake it for meat because it is so dense. In fact, it is a great meat substitute! Cut the tofu into regular-sized slices, sticks, or cubes, mix with a hot marinade and pan-fry, stir-fry or deep-fry. Super-firm tofu is not widely available but is easy to make.

Seasoned tofu

Tofu is also available pre-seasoned. This makes it easier to prepare as you can start as soon as you open the packet! Seasoned tofu is available in different flavors; tamari and tomato/basil are widely available. Seasoned tofu is mostly firm and can be pan-fried, stir-fried, deep-fried, grilled, roasted in the oven, barbecued or eaten raw.

Smoked tofu

This tofu is extra-firm and has a smoky flavor. Smoking is generally an artisanal process. Originally, tofu was smoked above tea leaves, but today it is mostly done over beech wood, which gives it a great aroma. You can pan-fry or stir-fry smoked tofu, but it is best eaten raw, such as in a winter stew or a summer salad.

Tofu à la minute

These small tofu pieces are pre-marinated and pre-cooked. All you have to do is add them to a (stir-fry) dish, or pan-fry the tofu à la minute in oil until crispy and add to dishes such as salads and stews. Tofu à la minute can be purchased in a variety of flavors including Asian-spiced, Italian-spiced, and Mexican-spiced.

Pressed tofu

When tofu is pressed under high pressure, very little water remains, giving it a meat-like texture that can be compared to that of super-firm tofu. There are two types of pressed tofu: natural and pre-seasoned.

Fermented tofu

If you pickle tofu in a mixture of salt, rice wine and water it will ferment. This fermenting gives a tofu deep, savory flavor called umami. In Chinese cooking, fermented tofu is not used as an ingredient but as flavoring. Don't buy fermented tofu in plastic packaging as only glass stops the fermentation process and so guarantees the flavor.

Tofu skin

When heating soya milk, skin forms on the surface of the liquid, just as with regular milk. Fresh tofu skins are not widely available, but dried skins are. These skins are similar to filo pastry and can be pan-fried (after marinating), filled and deep-fried like spring rolls, or used to make dim sum.

Tofu sticks

Tofu sticks are sun-dried, rolled tofu skins. Tofu sticks are a great filling for your miso soup.

Fried tofu

These slices of tofu are first firmly pressed and then deep-fried. They are soft and sponge-like and quickly soak up marinades and sauces. In the countries of origin (Japan, China, and Korea) you can find two versions: abura-age (oblong slices that are cut into strings and served in soups or over rice) and sushi-age (small squares filled with sushi rice and, as the name suggests, served as sushi). Abura-age and sushi-age taste similar. Fried tofu is usually sold pre-seasoned.

Tofu pockets

Fried tofu is often sold under the name ‘tofu pockets’. First, place them for a few minutes in boiling water, then pat them dry and cut them like an envelope.

Tofu puffs

These tofu balls are frozen first and then deep-fried. They are soft and sponge-like and so ideal for quickly soaking up marinades and sauces. Tofu puffs are already cooked and do not need to be cooked for too long. They are also delicious raw: fill them or dip them into chili sauce, for example.

Exciting excursions in Hong Kong 在香港可以做的事情

Traditional Chinese Junk Boat Crossing Victoria Harbour

First and foremost, Hong Kong is a very welcoming city which has a lot of things to offer. It's simply more than just a city! From food, shopping, outdoor, colonial buildings and many more cultural heritage sightseeing places. I've been travelling many times to Hong Kong and thought to share some insights in this blog post. The city itself is a true happening cultural sightseeing destination from Monday till Sunday. The greatest fun to begin with is a quick visit to the peak and a ride on a traditional Chinese junk boat. I've used to book a four days Hong Kong pass which included most of the sightseeing spots of Hong Kong. Such Hong Kong travel pass allows to save about half of the expenses. Equally important is to check the weather forecast before visiting Hong Kong. It would be a pity to discover the hidden treasure of Hong Kong skyline while covered by clouds or fog. Although there are far more worthy things to do in Hong Kong, these alternatives are a ''must'' visit that won't disappoint you.

Ride on a Traditional Chinese Junk Boat

Taking a Hong Kong junk boat ride will give you the second best skyline view, but this view is just an after thought compared to the junk boat ride itself. Aqua Luna features a traditional junk boat ride through Victoria Harbour that also coincides with the cities famous light show, the Symphony of Lights. The sight of this venerable vessel with its flashy red sails set against the backdrop of an ultra modern skyline is certainly striking and it has become a cherished symbol of the city. 

Two Hong Kong yacht traders, Yu Lik-hang and his aunt Cheng Ching-wah, have acquired Duk Ling from the previous owners and to great effort and expense, have managed to save the vessel.

Duk Ling is licensed to carry up to 36 passengers plus crew.

Daily scheduled cruises are available. The cruise takes 45 minutes to sail around Victoria Harbor.

Boarding locations at Tsim Sha Tsui Pier 1 and Central Pier 9. Duk Ling is also available for private charter.

The Traditional Hong Kong Snake Soup

In the Causeway Bay section of Hong Kong you will find Se Wong Yee, the tiniest eatery, with the menu out front completely written in Chinese, except for the significant bold lettering stating the sale of Snake Soup, an Asian delicacy. There were two options on the menu; just the plain old Snake Soup for 50 HKD ($6.50 USD) or the Snake Meal which includes the of duck’s liver-sausage.

Ride in a Cable Car 

The cable car experience can be truly adventurous and breath taking! Before actually climbing the stairs to Big Buddha you have to get to its location on Lantau Island and there aren’t many options. You can take a bus, make a strenuous hike uphill or ride the 3.5 mile Npong Ping Cable Car that suspends you high above the ground. Not like the typical street cable cars in San Francisco.

Lantau Island Street Food

On the Western side of Lantau Island lies the quaint fishing village of Tai O where the homes are built on stilts and the markets sell a plethora of dried fish street food. Though there are dozens of fishy dishes to choose from I tried a meal of BBQ squid jerky, for just 10 HKD ($1.39 USD).

The Great Buddha of Lantau Island

Even though there are 268 stairs to reach Hong Kong’s Tian Tan, it is one of the top Things to do in Hong Kong. Tian Tan is one of the largest sitting Buddha’s in the world and even though at 34 metres (112 Ft) feet tall. The Big Buddha was perfectly visible from the ground level, it is hard to tell its true massiveness without getting up close and personal.

The Cheapest Michelin Starred Restaurant in the World

Tim Ho Wan is a hole-in-the-wall dim sum restaurant in Hong Kong that gained recognition after receiving a coveted Michelin star and therefore being known as one of the cheapest Michelin starred restaurants in the world. And it is cheap. Really cheap. Though they are well known for their pork buns, all their food is quite tasty.

Ocean Park Hong Kong

Opened in 1977, Ocean Park is an amusement park, home to thrill rides including four roller coasters, eight themed amusement zones and animals including sharks, bottlenose dolphins, koalas, giant pandas, penguins, walruses, sea lions and more. Perfect for kids and adults, Ocean Park is an umissable part of Hong Kong's heritage. The first pair of Giant Pandas named An An (安安) and Jia Jia (佳佳), were gifted to Ocean Park by China in 1999, followed by Le Le (樂樂) and Ying Ying (盈盈) in 2007. A regular ticket cost HKD 480, I have had the luck to get a free entry using my 4 days Hong Kong pass. The Ocean Park is located at 180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen.

Kowloon Walled City Park

Historical not due to it's age but rather due to it's history in connection to the Walled City of Hong Kong. A ''must'' visit to visitors that wish to get a feeling on how the Walled City used to be. Some more details on how life was all about at the Walled City can be read on my earlier blog post.

The Kowloon Walled City had been a military stronghold since 15th century due to its coastal location and was a centre of vice and crime until 1987. Under the agreement between the Hong Kong Government and the PRC, the Kowloon Walled City was demolished in the 1990s while the indigenous buildings and features were preserved for incorporation in the new park.

Happy Valley Racecourse  

Visitors that love happening places won't be disappointed! Every Wednesday from September to July, thousands of Hong Kong residents flood the stands of the Happy Valley Racecourse. Horse racing is the only legal form of gambling in Hong Kong, making Happy Valley one of the few places where you are allowed to gamble in the city. And many of Hong Kong's citizens take full advantage. Even if you're not into betting, you should visit this local institution simply for the electric atmosphere, not to mention the surrounding city skyline, which sparkles once the sun goes down.

Much like the locals, recent travelers agreed the Happy Valley Racecourse is must-visit if you're in Hong Kong. Visitors reveled in the attraction's fun atmosphere, cheap admission and to most, surprisingly good food and drink options. Some travelers were quick to note that unlike other racetracks, specifically in the states, attire is very casual, so there's no need to pack any big hats or bow ties for your night at the track.

Standing room at the race track level costs just HK$10 (about $1.30), and tickets for the seated area start at HK$20 (about $2.60). You can purchase tickets the day of at the track or up to 10 days in advance from several outlets throughout the city. Only visitors 18 years or older are permitted inside the track. Located on Hong Kong Island, you can walk to the track from the MTR's Causeway Bay Station or simply take a taxi from either one of the Star Ferry piers on Hong Kong Island. The races usually last from 7 to 11 p.m.

 

Hong Kong Museum of History

The Hong Kong Museum of History was established in July 1975 when the City Museum and Art Gallery was split into the Hong Kong Museum of History and Hong Kong Museum of Art. But some of the Museum's collections date back to the City Museum and Art Gallery founded in 1962 at the City Hall. In 1983, the Museum was moved to the temporary accommodation in Kowloon Park. It was moved to its present premises on Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui in 1998.

The address is at 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong (next to the Hong Kong Science Museum)

Yuen Po Street Bird Garden

The ideal place for birds enthusiasts. Yuen Po Street Bird Garden is located in Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, directly west of Mong Kok Stadium. While it’s unlikely that you’ll be purchasing a few Chinese thrushes as mementos of your Hong Kong trip, the garden is a pleasant place to witness this age-old Chinese hobby in action; where elderly men feed and preen their feathered friends in exchange for sweet songs.

The Avenue of Stars

The avenue is modeled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and located along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. It honors celebrities of the Hong Kong film industry. The most impressive sight is the monument of Bruce Lee.

The Walled City in Kowloon

Kowloon Walled City was a largely ungoverned, densely populated settlement in Kowloon City in Hong Kong.

That is the very brief definition by Wikipedia of what the Walled City in Kowloon was all about. But there is much more to say, the Walled City was actually a government in itself. Or many of my friends who worked in Hong Kong during the 80s and early 90s described the Walled City as Anarchic Capitalism. But there are other aspects of the Walled City that noon talks about it, the numerous hard-working citizens of the Walled City. Some of them used to work as hard as day and night shifts, the ones that worked less had at least a 12-hour-a-day job in production areas such as Noodle making, the Garment industry, or some sort of Dental clinics. 

The walled city was the densest and most overpopulated place on earth. To some people, the walled city represented a slum like the favelas in Brazil, but to the majority of inhabitants, the Walled City represented freedom of choice, lifestyle, liberty, and to some even prosperity. It would have been imaginable to survive earning the same amount of wages outside the walled city. In fact, most of the inhabitants did not have to worry about paying income taxes. As unrealistic it may sound, to the majority of inhabitants, the Walled City appeared to be safe haven.

Kowloon Walled City's early population fluctuated between zero and a few hundred and began growing steadily shortly after World War II. However, there is no accurate population information available for much of the Walled City's later existence. Official census numbers estimated the Walled City's population at 10,004 in 1971 and 14,617 in 1981, but these figures were commonly considered to be much too low. Informal estimates, on the other hand, often mistakenly included the neighboring squatter village of Sai Tau Tsuen. Population figures of about 50,000 were also reported.

The Walled City in Kowloon 1991, source Wikipedia

Ungoverned by any authorities, alleyways dripped and the maze of dark corridors covered one square block near the end of the runway at Kai Tak Airport. Dating back to the Song Dynasty it served as a watch post for the military to defend the area against pirates and to manage the production of Salt before eventually coming under British rule. However, during the Japanese occupation on Hong Kong in the Second World War parts of it were demolished to provide building materials for the nearby airport.

Once Japan surrendered from the city, the population dramatically increased with numerous squatters moving in. Eventually it became a haven for criminals and drug users and was run by the Chinese Triads until 1974.

A Kowloon Walled City resident who is dissatisfied with compensation payouts from the local government before clearance

Some residents were not satisfied with the compensation and were forcibly evicted between November 1991 and July 1992. After four months of planning, demolition of the Walled City began on 23 March 1993 and concluded in April 1994. Construction work on Kowloon Walled City Park started the following month.

Food processors at work in the walled city for 12 hours a day, Image from the book ''City of Darkness

By the early 1980s, it was notorious for brothels, casinos, cocaine parlors, and opium dens. It was also famous for food courts which would serve up dog meat and had a number of unscrupulous dentists who could escape prosecution if anything went wrong with their patients. The city eventually became the focus of a diplomatic crisis with both Britain and China refusing to take responsibility. Despite it being a hotbed of crime many of its inhabitants went about their lives in relative peace with children playing on the rooftops and those living in the upper levels seeking refuge high above the city.

The rooftops were the one place they could breathe fresh air and escape the claustrophobia of their windowless flats below. Eventually, over time both the British and Chinese authorities found the city to be increasingly intolerable, despite lower crime rates in later years.

The quality of life and sanitary conditions were far behind the rest of Hong Kong and eventually, plans were made to demolish the buildings. Many of the residents protested and said they were happy living in the squalid conditions but the government spent $2.7billion Hong Kong dollars in compensation and evacuations started in 1991. They were completed in 1992.

Image from the legendary book ''City of Darkness''

A grocery store in the walled city, Kowloon, from the book ''City of Darkness''

Noodle maker covered in flour - Noodle production supplied popular noodle restaurants in Kowloon.

A panoramic view of the walled city in Kowloon, shortly before its been demolished

Thousands of people went about their lives daily with many making do with what space they had to grow plants or hand washing on balconies above the busy shops and streets below. 

The area where the Walled City once stood is now Kowloon Walled City Park, adjacent to Carpenter Road Park. Thats basically the happy end of the story, although it might have been better not to remove the walled city entirely. This would have attracted thousands of tourists every year. However, a park is nice too in my opinion but less historic than the Walled City of Kowloon. The most frightening fact is that some of the former Walled City residents ended up living in cage homes around Mongkok. Some are still waiting more than 20 years later to obtain public housing from the HK government.

Hong Kong today and the British broken promise of 1997

Years before July back in 1997, Britain and China signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration which ensured Hong Kong's democracy, the capitalist system, and the rule of law would be untouched for at least 50 years from the Handover. It was branded 'One Country, Two Systems' and plastered on adverts across the city and in the first few years following 1997 all seemed to be just that. But that system, which should still have 30 years to go, has all but disintegrated.

Nevertheless, Hong Kong is still a flourishing, vibrant, multicultural city, that attracts more than 36 million tourists a year, but you do not have to dig very far to realize the country is being quietly throttled by China.

For the sake of Hong Kong's freedom and democracy, Britain does need to do more. It cannot benefit from years of prosperity in Hong Kong, which the UK worked hard to achieve, to just let it all go over fears of upsetting China. Britain has a responsibility and it is not holding up its end of the bargain.

Crack in the Wall written by J. Pullinger

Some Q & A

Q. Was it preferable to live high up at the top or close to the ground?

A. Definitely higher up, the closer to the street level, the dirtier it got. Just look at the pictures in the links. yuck! It was a freaking maze inside, I remember I had to go up and down 2 buildings to get outside the fortress every day, and inside one of the buildings, the first 2 floors were permanently flooded (no one lived there).

Q. 

1.) Is it hard to find your way around?

2.) After it was torn down, how did your relatives adapt to the outside world?

3.) Why did your family/relatives live there anyway?

4.) What was the most common reason for living in KWC?

A. 

(1) I don't think it's possible to find your way if you have no idea where you are going. It was an absolute maze in there.

(2) The government moved everyone out to the nearby public housing way before it was torn down.

(3) Poverty, if you were a recent immigrant from China to HK at that time, you didn't really have many options to choose from.

(4) Poverty. Illegal immigrants. People with nowhere else to go.

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