We’ve at all times liked Hong Kong, so we landed on the Worldwide Airport on Lantau island with rising anticipation. Regrettably, we had been going for less than two days this time, so on the drive to Kowloon there was no time to go to the Large Buddha and the stilt village, or take the cable automobile, the longest in South East Asia, to the highest of the island.
Our base was the Ritz-Carlton in Kowloon on the mainland, a splendidly snug and environment friendly lodge with many excellent options, not least Ozone on the highest flooring (the 118th), the best bar on the earth.
Feeling the pinch: Judith will get to grips with the native produce in a meals market
We love crab so, after admiring the gorgeous lights of the harbour and Hong Kong island from Ozone, which completely displays the trendy nightlife, we had the spiciest crab we have now ever eaten at a well-liked restaurant in Causeway Bay referred to as – look forward to it – Underneath Bridge Spicy Crab!
The subsequent day we went with our information Rosanna to the Graham Avenue moist market, the oldest open-air market in Hong Kong. The vary of produce from all around the world is staggering and the rich ship their servants right here to do their looking for them as a result of the standard is so excessive. It’s properly value a go to, as is the Stanley market, the place you should buy absolutely anything.
On the entire, the stallholders converse English, as the bulk do on the island, the southernmost a part of Hong Kong that has been below Chinese language rule since 1997, so language isn’t an issue.
Lunch adopted at Tsim Chai Kee in Wellington Avenue – noodle soup with stem ginger and spring onion, Chinese language broccoli, prawn wantons and tea. Everybody appears to drink tea endlessly.
Metropolis of contrasts: A standard junk overshadowed by Hong Kong’s high-rise skyline
Then we went to hectic Causeway Bay once more and the Hysan Place shopping center, with its pure mild, lush greenery, excessive ceilings and 120 shops from style to life-style.
That night we boarded the Aqua Luna, the final red-sailed wood junk hand-built in Hong Kong, and revelled within the Symphony Of Lights out in Victoria harbour – the ‘world’s largest everlasting mild and sound present’, in line with Guinness World Data.
Hong Kong is alive with avenue markets, bars and greater than 11,000 eating places serving an enormous number of native and worldwide delicacies. On our final evening we went to Loong Toh Yuen within the grand Hullett Home lodge on Canton Highway and loved some basic Cantonese dishes, together with dim sum and Peking Duck.
It’s a stone’s throw from the well-known Star Ferry which plies throughout the harbour between Hong Kong island and Kowloon on the mainland. No less than one crossing is a should. There may be additionally a tunnel linking the 2 for automobiles and buses.
Hong Kong has an altogether quieter aspect with its 23 nationwide parks, eight walks which take within the tradition and historical past, and 250 climbing trails – and by 2015 there shall be 30 miles of biking paths.
You must also take day out to go to Repulse Bay, essentially the most spectacular bay within the area, and Deep Water, Center and South Bays – all excellent for swimming and watching the sundown. No go to to Hong Kong is full, so they are saying – and they’re proper – with out taking the tram to Victoria Peak, the best level on the island.
The tram is greater than 100 years outdated, takes 200 passengers, runs from 7.30am to 11.30pm and, while you attain the Peak after passing the skyscrapers on the way in which up, you might be 1,800ft above sea stage. From right here you look down on the entire of Hong Kong, Asia’s culinary capital the place East meets West. An enduring picture to take house with you.
Getting there
Wendy Wu Excursions (wendywutours.co.uk, 0844 875 2436) affords a three-day Hong Kong Discovery from £990pp. Value consists of return flights with British Airways, B&B lodging, transfers and a half-day Hong Kong island tour. An upgraded bundle together with the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, prices from £1,490pp
