Reply to: Things to do in Hong Kong

[Lucy]

Lucy!

BP

[Bagpuss]

Lucy!

[Lucy]

Enjoy high tea at the Peninsula, Kowloon. Avoiding the touts. And/or high tea at the Mandarin Oriental.

For the authentic yum cha experience, go to City Hall, it seats around 1000 peoplel and has fantastic views of the harbour.

The trams are wonderful, they have a really convenient route through north coast of HK Is. From Kennedy Town in the west to Shaukiwan in the East, I just enjoy the views, taking pictures and hopping off when I see something that is interesting.

Sogo is a really fun Japanese department store. Pacific Palace is also another great shopping experience, with an interesting food hall.

Get a suit and some shirts made, fantastic quality and fast. Chinese tailors are better than indians.

Don't forget to buy your octopus card at the airport, there is a little counter there with good deals, and you get a refund if you return the card.

[angusglover]

I remember that place, doesn't 11 years just fly

Yeah, I got drunk and naked with 2 filipino girls in there...what a night...!!!

There was also a karaoke bar up the hill on the right that was good.....and the Brown Bear in the shopping arcade over the bridge from the camp.

[MrsGoof]

And Maddogs at the bottom of the hill...had a few drunken nights in there.....

I remember that place, doesn't 11 years just fly

[angusglover]

mmmm Cactus Bar Thursday Night = frozen margaritas all night

yummmmy

And Maddogs at the bottom of the hill...had a few drunken nights in there.....

[MrsGoof]

Lan Kwai Fung is the best nightlife in HK.

mmmm Cactus Bar Thursday Night = frozen margaritas all night

yummmmy

[angusglover]

Strange - one of my best mates and his wife are regulars in the smugglers, so much so they're now good mates with the owners and if you went there even a few times I'm sure you would have bumped into them - two aussies, usually with a beagle or two in tow - ring any bells?

Jeez, it was a long time ago...I left at the handover but used to go there regularly and even put a note or 2 on the wall...

[MrsGoof]

The big Buddah on the island is quite cool to go an see (I assume it's still there)

The used to do a double decker bus ride down from the peak, similar to being in a 2 story rally car

[snaw]

Lan Kwai Fung is the best nightlife in HK. there used to be a bar called Carnegies in Wan CHai but think it closed after the handover. There used to be the Flying Pig and Shhoters in Wan Chai also and they were very good.

Go to Stanley Market and find the Smugglers Inn...very good pub.

Strange - one of my best mates and his wife are regulars in the smugglers, so much so they're now good mates with the owners and if you went there even a few times I'm sure you would have bumped into them - two aussies, usually with a beagle or two in tow - ring any bells?

[angusglover]

Lan Kwai Fung is the best nightlife in HK. there used to be a bar called Carnegies in Wan CHai but think it closed after the handover. There used to be the Flying Pig and Shhoters in Wan Chai also and they were very good.

Go to Stanley Market and find the Smugglers Inn...very good pub.

[snaw]

If you're into pubs/clubs, the expats are all located in the Central district, but I found the whole area quite crass (full of loud drunken English business types) and kept clear.

That would have been me then, but I was there on business, going out with colleages and it was a lot of fun. Funny how almost al of the expat guys are on their 2nd or 3rd marriage - not a place to relocate to if you're not single was the impression I got.

[Cowboy Bob]

Get yourself an Octopus card for the underground (kind of like an Oyster card). It makes travelling much cheaper.

Explore Kowloon across the bay - particularly the markets (look for the exotic food - cats, turtles, snakes etc) and noodle bars, and get across there at least once on the Star Ferry.

Find and book a table at a traditional Chinese restaurant - I particularly recommend the roasted chicken at the Luk Yu Tea House (though don't order if you have a problem with the chicken turning up whole with head and legs fully intact). I guarantee you will find yourself cursing at the slop they serve up in Chinese restaurants here afterwards.

Learn the Chinese symbols for the four major meats - most restaurant menus are Chinese only. Vegetable dishes are usually safe to order without worrying what's in them.

Take a taxi ride after midnight - it can be like being in the game Crazy Taxi if you're coming down the hill from Central - quite exhilarating.

Get up to the peak and book a table up there - the food is excellent.

Learn the Chinese names for all the places you need to get to - including your hotel - most places have English and Chinese names, but the locals (especially taxis) only know the Chinese names.

If you're into pubs/clubs, the expats are all located in the Central district, but I found the whole area quite crass (full of loud drunken English business types) and kept clear.

[snaw]

Wang chai (Or however it's spelled) of an evening is interesting, kinda expensive and the gorgeous philipino girl who's been chatting you up for a few hours may expect to get paid later ;-)

[buffdaddy]

- lots of shopping (be wary if a deal sounds too good to be true if u are buying electornics)

- ocean park (way better than the crappy disneyland)

- definitely go to the Big Buddha and eat at the monastry restaurant (very cheap, tasty and filling)

- great nightlife