Just returned, thanks for the help and my own personal recs

Having just returned I wanted to say many thanks to everyone who helped me with my trip and to those whose posts I read – it made my stay much easier and more enjoyable. I must say I found Hong Kong to be one of the most welcoming, safe and enjoyable cities I have ever visited. I have included a few reflections on my trip which people may find helpful – but these are only my personal feelings – others may not agree!

Huge thanks to Solent Traveller for recommending the A21 Flyer Airport Bus, it is so easy to use, runs frequently, has many stops by popular hotels in Kowloon (I got off and on right outside the hotel) and is a really interesting ride into town over the spectacular Tsing Ma bridge from the airport.

Do get an Octopus card if you are planning to use public transport. It saves needing change and as Hong Kong has one of the most frequent, cheap, clean, reliable and safe public transport systems that it has ever been my great pleasure to use. Why can%26#39;t we do that in London, I wonder? It is a shame to waste money on taxis if you don’t need to.

Have to recommend Kee Wah Bakery – many branches – often used this as stop for a quick snack and everything I tried was fantastic – especially loved their wife cakes and a tasty white sugar cake and for savouries many choices including a delicious spicy tuna bread. In comparism, the cakes of Arome Bakery looked beautiful but were a bit too sweet and synthetic for my taste.

Star Ferry is a must by day and night – use both decks!

If you are going to watch the 8pm Festival of Lights do go to the Promenade in TST - hwere you will get the whole effect including the music - it really is amazing although I hav eno idea how they do it!

Temple Street Night Market was a good place for bargains if you are prepared to haggle and also good choice of places to eat.

Art and History Museums in TST well worth a visit to learn a bit more about where you are staying. History Museum very easy to get to by bus and has excellent permanent exhibit on Hong Kong.

The Big Budda on Lamma Island – take to bus up – I found the queues shorter and the views spectacular and the Ariel tramway down – amazing views of the bay and the airport in nice stable cars which felt very safe. Nice solid stair rail and people going up one side and down the other made the steps not nearly as difficult as it looked!

Also the Peak, taking Bus 15 from Central piers bypassed the long queues at the tram station and having tried both ways I liked the tram ride down best – the buildings really seem to lean sideways!

Ocean Park – a great day out if you have kids but equally amazing for its waterside location – riding the mine train (safe for all but the smallest people) was amazing – you felt like you were spinning out over the water!

Cat Street – Interesting shopping at a fraction of the price of the expensive antique store behind in Hollywood road.

Dim Sum – went to the Serenade Chinese Restaurant for Dim Sum Breakfast – very easy for a first timer –English menu and nice views of the harbour only minutes from Star Ferry on First Floor of the Cultural Centre on Salisbury Road, Kowloon. Only problem was I got so full trying different things!

Stanley – a lovely area but a bit too “English” for me. I hadn’t come to Hong Kong to eat Fish and Chips in British Style Pubs – but I will recommend it to my brother in law for his trip in July as I know he will like it. I preferred the excellent “Saigon” Vietnamese restaurant Level 1 Stanley Beach Villa.

Found the bird gardens in Mong Kok interesting but the flower market is just lots of flowers (and same bonsai trees) – depends what you like - also the Goldfish market was interesting (if a little harder to find down a smaller street) with many fish and also little turtles which my nephew would find fascinating – but also puppies in some shop windows so beware if taking children.

Personally, I could have missed out Aberdeen – but I was there on a fairly grey day and had no interest in taking a ride round the harbour (as I don’t like small boats) and I’d also heard that the food at the big floating restaurants was expensive and not as good as other places.

I enjoyed my day trip to Macu – ferry was very easy and sights such as Macu Tower, the Temple of A-Ma, were well worth seeing – the custard tarts (hot with puff pastry rather than cold on short pastry the way we eat them in England were as delicious as everyone says.) Having being to Las Vegas I wasn’t so sure about the themed casino’s – although the Wynn’s dancing water fountain to a Western theme was a neat copy of the Bellagio. Didn’t have as much time to look at the Fisherman’s Wharf as I might have liked – didn’t seem entirely open yet – lots of shops to let – but a spectacular experience nonetheless in a surreal theme park kind of way – which some nice shops and cafes close to the ferry port.

A small tip for ladies – public toilets in some areas of Hong Kong (near Hollywood Rd, The Botanical Gardens) and in Macu (by St Paulo) can be the non-pedestal type also common in France. I always find these much easier to use wearing a skirt rather than trousers – but if in doubt stick to Hotels who all have pedestal style toilets.

Overal, one of the best holidays I have ever had. Would recommend Hong Kong to everyone!

Just returned, thanks for the help and my own personal recs

Hi Celi!

Great trip report! Brought back so many nice memories of our trip - thanks for sharing!

Just returned, thanks for the help and my own personal recs

Great Report Celi - I guess you will be another member of the HK Fan Club

How do you get the Octopus Card? Where do you purchase it?

Thanks.

Speaking for myself I bought my Octopus card at the first MRT station I went to .. just go to the Customer Services booth .. there%26#39;s a large signpost for the one in TST .. and you can top up the card at the ';add value'; machines .. which will also tell you how much credit you have left .. this also pops up each time you use it but I wasn%26#39;t always paying attention.

There is lots more information on Octopus Cards from more informed people than me in this forum if you need to know anything else. Typing your Q into the search box should cover it.