Hong Kong 2016

What's covered?

We flew Cathay Pacific as they had a fantastic offer on business class if paid for at the time of booking. As we had not visited Hong Kong before, we decided we would stop over for three nights.

10 September

The pick up at the airport was well organised and Debbie had booked us into the Shangri La as a special start to our tour.

We were allocated a harbour view room and the curtains open as your room card turns on the power to reveal a stunning view across Victoria Harbour. We were also given access to the Horizon Club with exclusive check in and check out and breakfast served in a separate area with views across the harbour. What a start! Also Trailfinders had organised a bottle of champagne and some rather nice chocolates for us.

Hotel meals worked out about £100 per person so we dined at a place well patronised by locals for about £23 for the two of us.

11 September

I had a bad night's sleep because of jet lag but not helped by our friend in Perth Skyping us at 11.45pm thinking we were still in the UK!

We had breakfast in the hotel's Cafe Kool and then went for a harbour walk. By 10am we found it too humid so we went back to the hotel. I ventured out a couple of times but an hour or so each time was enough. Nonetheless, with the view from our room and knowing we had a tour tomorrow, we were happy enough to take it easy.

12 September

Before we left, friends of ours recommended a private tour they had gone on, telling us just how good the guide was. We met Laura, who owns and runs Hello Hong Kong, in the hotel lobby and told her we would leave the itinerary to her. This is an extract of her summary with some notes added.

From the hotel we walked to Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) (MTR underground railway)
Then we walked to The Peninsular where we talked about the history of the building (Kadoorie family) and the surrender to the Japanese during the Second World War.
Then to Hullet House/ the Old Marine Police building with the Noon Day Gun, time ball tower and bar with the old prison cells.
We went on foot to the Star Ferry pier which we took to Central on the island of Hong Kong and then by taxi to The Peak. Taxis are cheap and the queues to go up on the tram are long. Laura recommended going up by taxi and down by tram. That also meant we saw some of the most exclusive areas.
At the Peaks we had a coffee and admired the view from the coffee shop and the Lions Pavilion. We talked about the notable buildings, the old Kai Tak airport and the history of their British colonisation of Hong Kong and the Opium Wars and Hong Kong's return to China.
By Peak Tram back down to Central.
To St Johns Cathedral, the oldest western religions building in Hong Kong dating back to 1849.
To the HSBC building where we looked at the old photographs of Central and talked about the land reclamation and the bronze lions and the battle of HK during the second world war.
By tram (ding ding) to Sheung Wan.
For Dim Sum / Yum Cha in Lin Heung Kui Tea House - Des Voeux Road West. This was very traditional and one of the few left still working in the old way. Food is continually brought round on trolleys and you take what you want and that is marked on your card. You cannot order specific items, you have to choose from what is available so if you particularly like something they do, you might have to go on several occasions before it is served again. The place did not look appealing and most westerners who didn't know better would not choose to eat there. However, Laura knew the kitchens are clean and it is a good place to eat. We would go again as we enjoyed it. Met a couple of guys who spend half the year travelling.
Along Wing Lok Street and Des Voeux Road West where we saw the dried sea foods, sharks fins, birds nests and Chinese medicinal goods.
By MTR to Wong Tai Sin. At this point the heat and jet lag had caught up with me so I sat it out in an air-conditioned shopping centre while Gill and Laura talked about religion (Taoism), astrology, fortune telling and mythology. We met Yau Lau (the Chinese god of love and marriage).
Finally back to your hotel via the MTR and the Wing On Department Store for Laura to buy one of the moisture retaining towels to keep you clean in this type of climate.

What a day! We would not have managed so much without Laura and even if we had, the knowledge would not have been there. Laura is a star and she absolutely made our visit to Hong Kong.