Saturday, December 16, 2006
Travel Diary: Hong Kong
Hong Kong was a different experience for us as we basically went free and easy. Due to personal reasons I did not research a lot into travelling there, but the transportation there was so well developed that it was easy to get around whether by bus or MTR.
I vote Hong Kong's Chep Lap Kok airport as the best I have been to, other than our own dear Changi Airport. The waiting lounges are spacious and accomodative enough for one of the busiest airports in the world. Shopping there was also good, with enough variety to keep any shopaholics satisfied. The food there was great as well. Tried 鱼蛋面 during our transit to Beijing...very springy and fragrant!
Recommendation: Do try out the Airport Express, an MTR line that runs from the airport to Hong Kong. It costs about HK$70 per pax and runs through some of the loveliest places in Hong Kong. The MTR is spacious enough for any luggage size. There are very helpful attendants at the stations to not only show you around, but also help you with your luggage when boarding. The MTR also has its own TV station that provides nuggets of information about Hong Kong, with the voice coming out from the headrest behind you. You can adjust the volume to your preference, yet it is not disturbing to other passengers. Thumbs up!
Everything in Hong Kong simply screamed out: "Buy me! Buy me!" So beautiful were the workmanship and quality. I now understand why some people travel to Hong Kong just to shop. Branded things tend to be cheaper there, except perhaps the cosmetics, which Singapore still wins for price competitiveness. They also carry wider variety.
The salespeople were very, very friendly and helpful as well, very different from those horror stories in the pre-1997 days. They willingly get you whatever you need, give tasteful recommendations and smiled and thanked you even if you end up not buying. Most of them now speak Chinese also, so no worries if you do not speak a word of Cantonese like myself. August is a good time to shop there as it is the sale period for summer clothing.
Tip: Do buy shoes your normal size during winter time. I bought a leather pair smaller than my normal ones because it felt loose there. But once I come back, I noticed it is now too tight. Remember: your feet shrinks during cold weather.
Recommendation: Do try out the tram. It costs only HK$2 for any distance travelled and is a great way to experience old-world charm while looking around.
Food in Hong Kong is good, good, good! The Hong Kongers really take their food seriously. Tried a simple century egg and pork porridge on the first night, to find that the pork was so sweet! The bakeries there are very good for a meal on the go. They serve coffee or tea as well. Hong Kong style milk tea is to die for. Cafe Coral or 大家乐 is great for value meals. Service at restaurants are generally wonderful as well.
Lan Kwai Fong is worth a visit if you are into night life. Super happening even on a Wed night.
My cousin was right. Hong Kong guys are very good-looking heehee :) The girls all look like they stepped out of those fashion magazines. Indeed, Hong Kong is a fashion capital!
Overall, Hong Kong is definitely worth a visit for its shopping and dining experience.
I vote Hong Kong's Chep Lap Kok airport as the best I have been to, other than our own dear Changi Airport. The waiting lounges are spacious and accomodative enough for one of the busiest airports in the world. Shopping there was also good, with enough variety to keep any shopaholics satisfied. The food there was great as well. Tried 鱼蛋面 during our transit to Beijing...very springy and fragrant!
Recommendation: Do try out the Airport Express, an MTR line that runs from the airport to Hong Kong. It costs about HK$70 per pax and runs through some of the loveliest places in Hong Kong. The MTR is spacious enough for any luggage size. There are very helpful attendants at the stations to not only show you around, but also help you with your luggage when boarding. The MTR also has its own TV station that provides nuggets of information about Hong Kong, with the voice coming out from the headrest behind you. You can adjust the volume to your preference, yet it is not disturbing to other passengers. Thumbs up!
Everything in Hong Kong simply screamed out: "Buy me! Buy me!" So beautiful were the workmanship and quality. I now understand why some people travel to Hong Kong just to shop. Branded things tend to be cheaper there, except perhaps the cosmetics, which Singapore still wins for price competitiveness. They also carry wider variety.
The salespeople were very, very friendly and helpful as well, very different from those horror stories in the pre-1997 days. They willingly get you whatever you need, give tasteful recommendations and smiled and thanked you even if you end up not buying. Most of them now speak Chinese also, so no worries if you do not speak a word of Cantonese like myself. August is a good time to shop there as it is the sale period for summer clothing.
Tip: Do buy shoes your normal size during winter time. I bought a leather pair smaller than my normal ones because it felt loose there. But once I come back, I noticed it is now too tight. Remember: your feet shrinks during cold weather.
Recommendation: Do try out the tram. It costs only HK$2 for any distance travelled and is a great way to experience old-world charm while looking around.
Food in Hong Kong is good, good, good! The Hong Kongers really take their food seriously. Tried a simple century egg and pork porridge on the first night, to find that the pork was so sweet! The bakeries there are very good for a meal on the go. They serve coffee or tea as well. Hong Kong style milk tea is to die for. Cafe Coral or 大家乐 is great for value meals. Service at restaurants are generally wonderful as well.
Lan Kwai Fong is worth a visit if you are into night life. Super happening even on a Wed night.
My cousin was right. Hong Kong guys are very good-looking heehee :) The girls all look like they stepped out of those fashion magazines. Indeed, Hong Kong is a fashion capital!
Overall, Hong Kong is definitely worth a visit for its shopping and dining experience.
Labels: Travel Diary
// posted by Jenn @ 12:41 PM 
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