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There is more to Tin Hau than the temple – although that little beauty is definitely worth a look. Take a stroll through Hong Kong’s urban garden Victoria Park to work up a hunger. All manner of sports activities are available, or you can massage tired tootsies in the rock garden. Fill up on some tasty Xiou Long Bao at the Another One on Ngan Mok Street (easily recognisable with its windows covered with pictures of stars who have eaten there), or for an authentic dish of Thai basil chilli mince, drop by Kam lung Thai Food further up the hill at Tung Lo Wan Rd – a teensy joint that piles plates of goodies high. That’ll put you near Dragon Street and Kapok, a store housing cool lines in CDs, shirts and candles, plus work by local artists. The gigantic gnarled tree dividing the street is often missed by the crowds but is almost as arty as the store.

 

The find: An “Elegance” tyre clock.
Original asking price: $65
Final price: $60
Where bought: Sham Shui Po, Apliu Street Flea Market

As far as novelty timepieces go, this is a beauty. A heavy-tread tyre acts as a wonderful frame, lending the clock both a sporty sophistication and a sense of rugged solidity. Yet this slightly macho quality is offset by the large “Elegance” logo and the clockface inscription, “My Love Honey Dear,” thus revealing an unexpected sensitive side. This sensitivity is reinforced by the repeated printing of that well-known phrase of endearment “Happy to You” around the circumference of the clockface. The sporty-looking red Ferrari centerpiece and the tools as hour and minute hands add that extra bit of class.

The box says the clock is made to “suit both refined and popular tastes” – a sensible move in light of the wildly unsuccessful clocks made to suit crude and unpopular tastes – and it couldn’t be more on the money. This point is probably best illustrated by the fact that the clock also comes with its own electrical fiesta. When plugged in, it emanates a startling blue light show bound to bring even the most skeptical art critics to their knees in appreciation. If that doesn’t say “refined and popular,” I don’t know what does.

Buyers should beware, however: owning this fine piece of equipment comes with responsibilities. Warnings on the box advise owners not to place the clock “nearby strong vibration” (read: useless in an earthquake) or “in the dusty play.” It also asks, “Please do no touch it movement.”