This is definitely not my first time to HK, in fact, I go there once every two years, but it never fails to impress me. HK supports the notion of a buzzing, indefatigable city that is just so… nostalgic.
I will be sharing my itinerary in HK, with the Shopping and Eating recommendations 🙂 Because there is just too much to share!
We were very lucky to kick-start the trip: Bump up from economy class to business class with Cathay Pacific. It was a superr early yet full flight, 650am, and to avoid the queue at check-in counter, I decided to do a online check-in the night before the flight (Cathay Pacific allows it 48h before departure). So, I had actually selected my seats during the online check-in already. For some reason, I was upgraded, and not that I’m complaining.
So my take on Business vs Economy:
1) Wider, adjustable seats and more leg room
2) Better service – Air stewardess/steward address you by name
3) Better food – Fruits platter/appertizer followed by main course. Main course has different and more choices
Of all three, I think the adjustable seats are definitely worth the bucks.
Shopped a little at the HK airport duty-free. Got some perfumes and liquer (which we managed to finish by second night! Krazy).
I transit from to my hotel, the Cosmo Wanchai Hotel, via the MTR Airport express. It’s timings are frequent, its fast (ard 30mins from ‘Airport-Hongkong’) and comfy. Although its about S$15 one way. But we bought 4 tix, got a group discount, which is way cheaper, like S$9 bucks instead.
There was also free shuttle bus from the ‘Hong Kong’ station to the hotel, although a lil patience is needed. Cosmopolitan and Cosmo hotels are sister hotels, so there are side by side and served by the same shuttle bus. Saw alot of good reviews on both hotels, and is well-known for Singporean travellers. But nothing prepared us for the surprise and the weak heart!
Our hotel view is superb! Of the cemetry. Tons and tons of the tombstones.
Anyways, the stunned aside, the hotel is reasonable and clean, albeit small like any other hotels in HK.
My itinerary (BEWARE: Photo bomb of shopping and food pics coming up ^^Do not see on an empty stomach)
Day 1
Shop around the Central-Admiralty-Wanchai-Causeway bay area. Lots of departmental stores with designer boutiques and other mid-tier brands like H&M, Marks&Spencers, HMV, Forever 21, Uniqlo, Muji etc etc etc. Its like a shopping haven! And not a store like in Sg, its usually enlarged in HK with more varieties. So my take, the price may not be much cheaper, even with the awesome exchange rate of S$1 : 6.25HKD.
I have to recommend a new shopping mall: The Hysan place. Its like this humongous mall with escalators that spans a few floors. You can have chillax in an alfresco setting…and look at the view!
We also had lunch at one of the famous restaurant, Yung Kee, well-known for its roasted goose and chinese honey-glazed barbeque pork etc. Like most resturants in HK, the har gao (shrimp) is fresh, crunchy and good. The friendly waiter also recommended the century egg, and OMG, gooooood!
Day 2
It was a nice weather and we opt to take the ferry across from where our hotel were, HK island, to Kowloon. The ferry is an alternative to the MTR, or taxi, although it is slower. However, it is a mode of transport for the locals, and you can tap-pay with the Octopus card (~SGD1-2) hasslefree. On the short ride, about 10-15mins, you get to enjoy the views and crisp air. The taxi on the other hand, can get pretty steep if you pass through the tunnel during peak hours due to toll. I did it once on a friday night around 830pm from HK island to Kowloon, the taxi ride was like HDK200 (SGD30+).
Nice Dimsum brunch at the famous TANG DYNASTY (near TST harbour) and high-end shopping at Tsim Sha Tsui-Jordan area. We end the day with more therapeutic late-night shopping at Granville fashion street (near TST as well). They have rows of fashion malls, streethouses selling the latest fashion apparals and lots of street food!
Agnes B cafe in Carnarvon Road! Loves Agnes B accessories-rings, necklaces and charms.
Happy me with my loot from Agnes B.
Vibrant night shopping of HK!
Simple dinner of local fare. Had some down-to-earth local food-mixed rice with the salted duck and chinese sausages, awesome watercress soup to warm the tummy, and a nice ginseng tea (set around SGD10).
Read on for more awesome itinerary of what to do, where to go and what to eat in HK in Part 2.
xoxo,