Hong Kong ...

stevenhp1987

DUKE wrote: »

No we're not gamblers, but I was thinking more of getting collected off the ferry & straight on to the bus & being dropped off right by the hotel. Although perhaps not with our suitcases. I just fancied a look around at a few things & seeing the pandas, & felt that I couldn't do Hong Kong without going to Macau. There's always a day trip, but if I'm paying to go across for the day I might as well go for a few days.

We'll be looking a the giant Buddha, but not sure about the cable car as I'm scared of heights, but I'm sure MrDuke will have me up there given half the chance :eek: Last time I did a cable car all you could hear on the video was me swearing in sheer terror

As for Silvermine Bay, I read somewhere that there was some sort of major construction going on. So I'll have to look for another beach I think.

Thanks everyone for all the tips on places to go & food to eat ... Very much appreciated.

I don't like cable cars (heights!) - the one for the big buddah is 3.5 miles long (around 25mins)... I did it just fine so you will too - It's definitely worth the trip!

There's a handrail - just don't pay extra for the glass floor! I found going down was easier than going up.

As for food - I am partial to the street food!



https://goo.gl/maps/pqBGZoPHDDw

The fish balls are amazing!!!

Ballard

I believe that you can get a Chinese visa on arrival at the Chinese border if that’s something that you’d be interested in. It’s restricted as to where you can go but if you’ve never been to China it might interest you.

I don’t have the details as I had a full visa and crossed the border through Macao.

bylromarha

Another vote here for Kowloon. So much more to do at night.

Another vote here for a harbour view from a YMCA window. Loved watching the sound and light show in our room one night with the radio tuned in to the music and being a 5 min walk from Star Ferry.

DUKE

stevenhp1987 wrote: »

I don't like cable cars (heights!) - the one for the big buddah is 3.5 miles long (around 25mins)... I did it just fine so you will too - It's definitely worth the trip!

There's a handrail - just don't pay extra for the glass floor! I found going down was easier than going up.

As for food - I am partial to the street food!



https://goo.gl/maps/pqBGZoPHDDw

The fish balls are amazing!!!

Why did you just stay the one night on HK island, was it much too much or did you just prefer Kowloon?

I've only ever gone up on the cable car, so I'll definitely try the coming down as it sounds much less scary. It didn't help watching films where they get stuck & are hanging upside down :eek:

Fish balls it is then :-)'''

DUKE

Ballard wrote: »

I believe that you can get a Chinese visa on arrival at the Chinese border if that’s something that you’d be interested in. It’s restricted as to where you can go but if you’ve never been to China it might interest you.

I don’t have the details as I had a full visa and crossed the border through Macao.

No, that's why I'm just going to HK as there's no visa needed for that. Although it's on my list just in case I ever become non MSE.

DUKE

I love the sound of the T Hotel & YMCA, but both are more than I wanted to pay. I think the T Hotel's a bit out of the way too.

I'm still looking at the Ibis, Cheung Wan, I do love an Ibis if in the city. Plus I'm quite interested in Dorset, Mongkok. Both are non smoking, which is a must for me. Plus we need a decent sized bed as MrDuke has the longest of legs, so one of the those tiny beds just wont do for him. It's a shame really as I rather fancied one of the minimal hotels, but he wont fit in there. I have visions of having to have the door open all night for his legs

Thanks all, I shall continue my search.

BarryBlue

WE had a couple of days in HK recently at the end of our cruise holiday. It's certainly a full-on place and there are some spectacular sights.

We did the cable car to the Big Buddha. Definitely don't pay the extra for a glass floor if you don't like heights - we didn't and the views are spectacular anyway.

You may want to go to Victoria Peak for spectacular views. The tram is about £4 each way but there are often huge queues. If you aren't that bothered about the tram ride, take the bus. It's the no.15 from outside Admiralty metro station. It's a spectacular ride too, and costs less than £1.

Also, make sure you have a ride on the double-decker trams that ply up and down HK island. Great fun, great views, and only about 20p regardless of distance. Just make sure you have small coins as no change given, you pay when you get off.

For general getting around, the Metro is fine but gets a bit crowded. Do cross from HK to Kowloon on the Star Ferry at least once though. Again, dirt cheap, about 35p.

stevenhp1987

DUKE wrote: »

Why did you just stay the one night on HK island, was it much too much or did you just prefer Kowloon?

I've only ever gone up on the cable car, so I'll definitely try the coming down as it sounds much less scary. It didn't help watching films where they get stuck & are hanging upside down :eek:

Fish balls it is then :-)'''

We didn't spend the evening on the island, just one day exploring and back to Kowloon at night. That day also happened to be a food & wine festival - with free entry for tourists (with three drinks)!

We did spend one evening on top of Victoria Peak for dinner. Great views!

We chose Kowloon as, not only is it cheaper, it's more authentic. Street food was available round the corner (everything from fish balls, to grilled meats and pork buns!!!).

There is a metro (Octopus card; you use it much like the Oyster Card): http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/system_map.html

It's worth staying near a metro station as it will make life much easier when exploring!

DUKE

Thanks Baz, got that all down in my notes.

Thanks Ste, looks rather overwhelming!!! But very useful, I've sent it to my notes on my phone.

I think I might stay at the Ibis on HK Island, & the Dorett in Kowloon. Still undecided about Macau, & the beach though.

PoppyTaylor

I stayed in Kowloon and very much enjoyed it! Our hotel was just a taxi ride away from the Ferry which takes you over to Hong Kong island but we ended up only going to the island twice as we found things to do elsewhere and we didn't need that much time there.

I stayed on Hong Kong island a few years ago when I visited, it was expensive and I actually preferred staying in Kowloon much more.