Travelling to Hong Kong

I've always wanted to go to Hong Kong, it's one of those places I find fascinating, I'm extremely jealous, and SO pleased to hear you'll be taking plenty of photo's :D
 
Ahhh 11 days to go.

Want to thank everyone for their help and advice, I shall share all my experiences and photos for those interested :D

A special thanks to Raymond who has schooled me on HK pretty much A-Z and been patient with my constant 'what if this what if that' malarkey :D
 
What's Hong Kong like on a budget? Looking at agoda, budget hotels don't really exist... Would it be a similar cost to Singapore? Or would you be able to find cheap digs and spend around 40 us dollars a day and have a good time?

Considering flying from Hanoi to HK in a few weeks but thinking it'll be extortionate. May go to Guangzhou instead.
 
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Raymond Lin said:
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Absolutely gorgeous photo there Ray.
 
El1te said:
Ahhh 11 days to go.

Want to thank everyone for their help and advice, I shall share all my experiences and photos for those interested :D

A special thanks to Raymond who has schooled me on HK pretty much A-Z and been patient with my constant 'what if this what if that' malarkey :D
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No problem, and if I get my laptop loaded up, I can dig out that video of the fish for you !

Ahleckz said:
What's Hong Kong like on a budget? Looking at agoda, budget hotels don't really exist... Would it be a similar cost to Singapore? Or would you be able to find cheap digs and spend around 40 us dollars a day and have a good time?

Considering flying from Hanoi to HK in a few weeks but thinking it'll be extortionate. May go to Guangzhou instead.
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Not sure about accommodation but food can be cheap, very cheap in fact if you know where to go and it will still be freshly made. Travel within the city is cheap anyway, even taxi is cheap. As for having a good time, that's when it gets expensive I am afraid.

Nix said:
Absolutely gorgeous photo there Ray.
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Thank you :)
 
Raymond Lin said:
I stay here every year for the past 5 years.

http://www.royalpark.com.hk/

They have special deals for stay longer than 7 days. The rooms are nice, just like the pictures. All rooms have wifi access (or cat 5 should you choose).

If you want to spend more, I want to stay in this place. It is attached to Monkok shopping centre which is one of my favourite.

http://hongkong.langhamplacehotels.com/

It has good access to the train station/MTR. There is a massive shopping mall attached to it so you are never more than 10 seconds away from the shops from the hotel.

The MTR is so cheap that if you get a Octopus card (just like an Oyster card but more), top it up with about £30 and it should last you the entire trip. You can even use it in 7-Eleven to buy food or magazines.

Places to see.

- Sky 100, it is the tallest building in HK on the Kowloon side.
- Victoria peak, take the tram if you want for the ride but the best way to get to the top is by taxi. It'll cost you about £5 and takes 10 minutes. The tram costs almost as much.
- Lady street and Nathan street, all that around there. It's where you get proper fake brand goods. It does not hide the fact it is fake at all, I guess that's why the police never do anything, ever. It's funny actually to see some of the brands, if you ever want to see PRADO instead of PRADA...this is the place :D
- the outer islands, they are fun but I am not sure it is worthwhile. The first thing I saw when getting off the boat was Maccy D!
- Happy valley races, horse races, I think it is only Wednesday night, 8 or 10 races and it seems the entire ex-pat community gathers there. Actually a nice place to have a couple of beers, some BBQ and perhaps put £1 on a race here and there.
- Harbour City, a GIANT shopping mall, it will take you the best part of a day if you want to see all the levels.
- Actually there are loads of shopping malls, they are all like the Westfields, you'll wonder how do these people afford all these!

Things to eat

- go to any place and have some dim sum, the menu will be all Chinese most likely ! But this place is really good, value is decent, nice location and is in English! http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g294217-d1077089-Reviews-Din_Tai_Fung-Hong_Kong.html
- try bubble tea, personally I prefer the fruit base stuff. Happy Lemon sells them http://www.happy-lemon.com/en/
- get egg waffles
- go into a supermarket and just look at all the weird and wonderful food ! Spam flavoured nuts, Curry cheese pot noodle
- Aqua Toyko http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restau...ua_Roma_Aqua_Tokyo_Aqua_Spirit-Hong_Kong.html Amazing view of the harbour but prices are not cheap if you are on a budget.

Here are some photos for you.

2013

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18499661&highlight=hong+kong

2011

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18263263&highlight=hong+kong

2010

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18136346&highlight=hong+kong
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i was waiting for you to post :)

Great advice.

bookmarked
 
Wow just found this thred! will read through it properly.

I'm moving to Wan Chai for 6 months on the 5th of September! Excited is not even the word.
 
holymonk said:
I'm going to HK in September for 4 nights, any MUST do things please tell?
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I am just going to quote myself with some ideas I sent to El1te..this is long....



If you are on 3 network contract here, you can use your phone just like in the UK for no extra costs. Internet included ! Google Map is a god send at times.

If you don’t then you can either get a PAYG sim card for about £10 which gives you enough credit to buy a 5 day online access with credit left over to get a couple more single day access, otherwise many establishments has free Wi-Fi, just look for them when you are in them. Places such as Starbucks obviously, some coffee shops do when you purchase, the password is at the receipt. Langham place shopping centre has free wifi also and so is Apple Stores.

Tipping is not essential but because the exchange rate is that £1 = like $12, even if you round up from $21 to give a $30 notes for the balance and say keep the change. It might sound like a lot, you are only tipping like 70p. Though 70p tip in a £2.50 transaction is a bit much obviously but you get the idea. But if you want to quickly work it out in your head, just take a zero off and you are not far off.

If you treat $100 = £10 then you are "in credit", the real figure is more like £8.50. My brother in law has real trouble figuring that out and he has been like 4 times !

Check out the TINY straws in Starbucks that people put in hot coffee to drink out of. Remember to try the Green Tea Frap.

When you are dying for the loo, find the nearest mall, that's where all the public loos are. As opposed to looking for a pub or Maccy D's in England.

If you are thinking one meal going all out and splashing out with a great view. Apart from Bubba Gump at the peak looking down (which is quite reasonable in terms of prices). Check out Aqua Tokyo, it has a view over the harbour, but not cheap. If you want posh afternoon tea English style, the Intercontinental Hotel (by Avenue of Stars) serves them at £25 per head. You can't miss this hotel, it is massive and by the MTR as you come out.

Oh, don't drink tap water. Buy bottled, it's not expensive. I usually get Watson's, it’s a local brand and it's cheap. Shaped like a 70's Lava Lamp with a green top. Watson's is also a chain of pharmacy like Boots, so if you need some over the counter meds, this is where you can go.

Bring sunglasses, the glare can be ridiculous at midday, even when it is cloudy. Talking about midday, you will find most retail shops for clothing and the like don't open until around11am. Because they open til late, a lot are still shut at 9am. Places that sell food however opens early.

Pack 2 changes of clothes per day if you can. When I get a chance to go back to the room half way in the day I would take a shower and change for the afternoon/evening as it is so humid, if you think the UK has a heat wave now….think again, this is nothing, it was hotter than this back in April when I went. Otherwise there are plenty of GAP or UniQlo and the like around if you ran out of clothes, oh, if you like funky T-shirts, do check out UniQlo, there is one in most malls, they do some unique prints, both references to Hollywood, Disney and Japanese/Anime cultures.

If you have time to kill, say you don’t want to go to Ocean Park, there is always the Science (or is it Space?) Museum, it is also by Avenue of Stars. Can kill a couple of hours there.

Check out the Nike Limited editions trainers for curiosity, there are designs that I've never seen before. They are not a bargain though, I would say most are the same as online prices here.
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Weather would be hot and humid, but if it rains, it pours!

Other things you should check out, these won't be out of your way but make note, when you come across them, just pop in and have a gander.

Muji – There are some in the UK but the ones in HK sells food. They are all Muji brand, note the bottled milk tea, the dried snacks, the cotton candy in a bag etc,

There is one at the mall by your hotel but the biggest one is in Harbour City, there is a Starbucks next to it (with a nice balcony place), where we usually take a coffee break.

Ichiban – you get them in most MTR, there is even one in the airport. A pick and mix sweets and snack shop, pay by the kilo or pre-packaged bags. I just love the jelly, and have a look at the dried fish/duck tongue/chicken feet snack.

City's Super – these are like HK's posh supermarket, there is one in Harbour City and one in Time Square and a few other places. Japanese orientated mostly, do check out the sweets, how much variety they have, a lot of green tea flavour stuff. Check out the prices of cheese !!!!!

Hui Lau Shan – a chain of dessert shops that sells…well desserts, but I particularly like their cold mango based drinks. Just order by number on the menu like A1, H2 etc. There are English on the menu. Fresh cut mango with jelly, with a MASSIVE straw, really refreshing in the heat. There is one by the clock tower, near the bus stops, not far from Longerie (that watch brand) shop.

With octopus cards, it is a touch device, put it in the outer section on your wallet and then you don't need to take it out to go through the gate. You will see lots of women even place them in the bottom of their bags and just push their hand bag at the gate and it opens. They do it for security reasons, it is basically a cash card that you top up which you can use to take trains, pay for food in a lot of places as well. So keep an eye on the total amount and on the last day or so, if you have any left, just go to 7 Eleven and buys drinks/sweets or even pay for lunch at some places.

If you have a Starbucks app on your phone in the UK, they don't work in HK…even though they have a Starbucks card scheme as well. Oh, do check out the menu there, you can get hotdogs at Starbucks, the whole thing is Asian orientated. Do try the Green Tea Frappuccinos, get it with cream on top for the extra touch. If you like coffee, there is another chain call Pacific Coffee that is also popular.

If you decide to buy things on Lady's street, do haggle. Ask for 25% off to begin with, if she says no but you really want it, walk away, that generally works…they will either make a close counter offer like 20% or match it as you walk away. Remember, it's all fake ! But I picked up a working self-winding "Omega" pocket watch for £5 which is not bad !

You will notice some Chinese people carrying massive suit cases when shopping, they are not locals, they are from the mainland down for the day. You'll find them in Pharmacies a lot buying beauty products and drugs…weird. Doesn't really concern you but I did wonder why these people go shopping with suit cases when I first saw them.

Notice some young people wearing black rim glasses with no lens in them…fashion.

Notice all the massive Samsung S5 and Sony phones. Your phone/internet works 99% of places, including underground on the MTR.

I have to say Watami again, my favourite chain of places to eat. Try the minced beef with egg rice in a stone bowl, mix it up when it turns up and let the stone cook it all.

If you didn't get breakfast included with your room, Toast Box is right outside your hotel in the mall. £3 get you eggs, french toasts and coffee….or £3 for just coffee in Starbucks next to it…no brainer ! Watch how they make their coffee, it is great.

On the way back at the airport…give yourself time from security to the gate, the airport is huge and because there is no such a thing as Terminal 1, 2, 3 etc. You just go to one airport and one time I had to run for my flight as it was right at the other end and had to run, along with a little tram ride in between. The first section after security has the best choice of food in any airport I've been to though. Actually freshly made food, non-processed meat (the Chinese dishes, Maccy D's excluded) and fresh vegetables etc.

Hong Kong isn't a big place but there are lots of details and things to see, some of them blink and you'll miss it.
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Things that you should experience and see.

Check out some of the smaller malls, not the ones with fancy Gucci stores, one with local independent shops, ones with a meat and veg market in, that's how the locals live. Have a look at them. They are normally attached to a big mall in a residential area. Hope you are not squeamish about half dead fish and chicken in cages!

If you see a shop selling what looks like beef jerky, buy some and try it, they are delicious, it comes in beef, pork and chicken. Not cheap mind as they are considered as delicacies but reasonable compare to normal jerky prices. I know there is one at Sha Tin MTR station and another at APM station.

Try and get your hands on is an egg custard tart, now, first, get one in a bakery. Then get one from KFC. Seriously, KFC does Portuguese ones which are great, although you can get them in Macau when you are over there for more authentic ones.

Taxis are cheap. You can get half way across Hong Kong for £20. You can get from the ferry up to the Peak for about £5….it makes no sense financially to take the Tram really except for the experience !

Most people under the age of 30 speaks great English, especially in shops.

Don't dos

Don't jay walk in a crowded area, you never know there is a policeman somewhere.
Don't eat on the MTR, it is illegal.
Don't take pictures inside a shop, they just don't like it….but if you are quick, you can normally get one off before they see you :p
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The food on Lady Street isn’t gourmet but it is an experience that all locals does everyday and it is something different, tasty food in very basic settings !!!

I think your friend is right about not wanting to rush, Ocean Park is fun but it is not a must and certainly not something that one identify with Hong Kong in a big way.

Btw, while you are on Hong Kong Island, go check out HSBC building, the lions on the front (replicas) were one stolen by the Japanese during WW2 and taken to Japan but returned after the war. They are covered with bullet holes, like the original. The building is cool because it is designed by Sir Norman Foster, the aim of the building is that you can take it apart to pieces and then rebuilt it elsewhere. It’s like the world’s largest lego building.

If you like shopping, I like Harbour City a lot, but it is designed on 2 levels and you end up missing a lot because you walk down it on a level, missing the level either above you or below you.

I LOVE Time Square in Causeway Bay. There is another mall not far from it that has the other Apple Store, that is a cool Mall too.

The one by your hotel is also one of my fav.

APM is also good, when you get there, from the MTR for the first time….look up. You’ll see what i mean ! and go wow !

Festival’s Walk is a HUGE mall, lots of space, almost too big and it feels empty.

Shai Tin is a VERY busy mall but a little further away from you.

A quick place to eat is Cafe De Coral. Do check it out, every person in Hong Kong has eaten there. It’s also very cheap, fresh and quick. You see them everywhere.

There is also these mango jelly drinks places around, I probably have photos of it on Facebook, try them. It’s about £2 but there is nothing like it here.

Also if you see egg waffles (google it to see what it looks like), get some. They are normally around £1, great snack.

Also….if you see WELCOME, it is a supermarket, or any supermarket….there is one in the basement at your mall by your hotel, check out the Sushi section if you like Sushi. bargain !!!

Oh, and Frozen Yogurt !!!!!! OMG, they are amazing. got to give them a try once as well. ALL kinds of flavours.

And you have to go in and check out 7 Eleven. Nothing except they don’t have it here. Where I normally get bottle waters, they are EVERYWHERE, every corner, every MTR stations.

Bakery, my sister makes it her mission to go into every single one she sees. With good reasons. Things I like…curry bun (it has like curry tuna inside), some sausage bun thing, the pork chop bun is good too, they have all sorts of clever baked goods, not so much cakes, more savoury but CAKE !!! OMG !!!!!! I find it funny how they can bake better than the English, it is so much prettier, softer texture and more moist and even inventive in design.
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Thank you Raymond, I am also looking at buying myself a camera (3 weeks inc Australia). I have seen some of your snaps and your camera (out of my league). Any recommendations on a camera 250-300 ish?
 
holymonk said:
Thank you Raymond, I am also looking at buying myself a camera (3 weeks inc Australia). I have seen some of your snaps and your camera (out of my league). Any recommendations on a camera 250-300 ish?
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A compact ? I like the Panasonic xz-1, but that's a couple of years old. The current crop I would get Sony RX-100.
 
18-55 mm is a kit lens.

It is around 24-70 on the old 35mm film camera.

So that is the number you should be referring to when comparing to a compact. However the difficulty comes when they say things like 10x zoom, that is meaningless.

A 14mm fisheye is a 1x zoom.
A 1200mm prime lens is also 1x zoom.

The fisheye will be like a fisheye, the 1200mm you can shoot the moon with. So 10x zoom is meaningless.

its simply the top number divide by the low number, since a prime is 1 fixed number so 14/14 = 1, so is 1200/1200.

A 55/18 is about roughly 3x zoom. But can it see further than a 1200mm? of course not.
 
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