An epic trek to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal

The trek out to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal for this year's HK Wine and Dine festival was an epic adventure. I didn't realize that there'd be a such a large mismatch between the crowds and the number of minibuses available and ended up in a 2.5 hour line up for a minibus at the Kowloon Bay bus terminal. Then the ride over to Kai Tak itself took about 30 minutes (normally the ride is about 10 minutes). The security guard controlling the crowds at Kowloon Bay bus terminal said the crowds were like that since his shift started in the morning and largely due to traffic coming in from all areas on HK converging into the single lane leading into the terminal. He was right because stuck in the traffic jam were a number of taxis and buses (KMB & free shuttles) from the nearby MTR stations (i.e. Kowloon Tong, Ngan Tau Kwok and Lam Tian).

CharK and I left around 11;30 pm as the event was winding down. But most people opted for the KMB/minibus/shuttles so we decided to walk back to Kowloon Tong MTR station instead. The 35 minute walk was actually quite nice and the breeze off Kowloon Bay made the walk considerably more comfortable than waiting in line. It was pretty neat to see a couple hundred people all walking together along the former Kai Tak runway towards the MTR stations. The night view of the skyline made for some great photos too.

Waiting with the crowds at Telford Plaza (Photo: CharK)

A view from the former Kai Tak run way (Photo: CharK)

Overall I enjoyed the event and found there were more tasty food options compared to last year.  My top three favorites of the night were:

#3 Bejing Street Crepes' Original Jianbiang
A veggie crepe filled with eggs, cucumbers, green onion in a peking duck sauce

The chicken cartilage skewers were good but I couldn't bring myself to try the dried dophin meat that was also being grilled (Photo: CharK)

#2 The HK College of Technology Culinary Innovation Centre's smoked salmon and beef cheek cornet.

#1 Mei Tuk BBQ King's honey pepper beef cubes. The beef was juicy and the smoky smell drew me in while I was in line for food from a nearby stall!

They estimated less then 150,000 people would attend the 4-day event, But should exceed that number just based on the crowds from last night (Photo: CharK) 

Of course the wine was also the highlight of the event. Even though I'm not a big wine drinker I enjoyed trying wines that we don't find very often. My two favorites were the Georgian Valleys Alazani Valley Red Sweet and Calon Segur's Brazillian Rose. The Rose was particularly refreshing for a hot evening.

Aside from the food and drink I was drawned to the location of the event, being at the former Kai Tak airport. I was excited to be on an actual run way. But with all the food/drink booths and music stage set up, you can't really tell where you were standing. except for some remnant ground markings.

Lots of great jazz and Spanish music on the concert stage in front of the Kai Tak cruise terminal (Photo: CharK)

I think I'll come back for a visit during the day next time, and check out what this cruise terminal is all about. Apparently a rooftop bar will be opening up there soon!