Hong Kong & Macao Journal

It was late July. My wife and I made our preparations months before. I was so excited and it was time to set out. While everybody allocated 2 days for Hong Kong, we allocated 8 days for this trip. We flew from Istanbul to Hong Kong with out Turkish Airlines tickets that we bought with our miles. Chep Lap Kok Airport is located on an replenished island Lantu. The airport, spread out over a large area, is very modern and away 45 minutes from the city center. People escaping from complex and expensive city life settled in Lantau Island. Although I had done so many research about Hong Kong, I had not though that the air could be this humid an hot. Despite the temperature 30 C, the moist more than 90% made it difficult even to breathe. I did not come across such a stuffy air in Dubai. The other point that drew my attention was that everything was regular. There were warning and direction signs everywhere and it was impossible to get lost.

Royal Plaza Hotel was located in the city center, Mong Kok district. It was a great advantage for us to be close to the famous night markets and MTR station. By means of the shopping mall on the ground floor, we could meet our shopping and food needs in here. We had all our breakfasts with freshly squeezed orange juice at a stylish French patisserie, Balencia. Its price was reasonable according to the location and quality. We paid HKD715  (1 USD = 7,8 HKD)  in other words 90 USD per night for 7 day deluxe suit accommodation. We were really lucky about the hotel. (Royal Plaza Hotel, resvn@royalplaza.com.hk) 

Generally, transportation is provided with the rapid transit railway system so called MTR (Mass Transit Railway). You get used to the Octopus Card  that you can use instead of money very quickly. This card valid in all 7 Eleven stores makes the life easier. Transportation with metro is cheap and quality. Metros are air- conditioned and modern. People on the metro just listen to the music and are busy with their mobiles. When you catch each other's eye, they always smile. This is so pleasant.

There are so many activities to do, probably climbing to Victoria Peak by the historical tram, The Peak Tram, leads them. The tram reaches a 396 m high hill from which you can watch the city over, with a pleasant sightseeing on the steep slope.In this facility; you can eat, shop or take photos as I did. I recommend you to go at a close hour to sunset. During sunset excellent images can be seen. While walking around the city, you can go on walking in the shopping mall.  All shopping malls are interconnected and organized in a way that you can enter from one end and exit from another end without going out. ''Symphony of the Lights'' show, watched from coastline and starts at 20.00, is the world's biggest organized light show. The show, in which popular skyscrapers of the city are introduced and later accompanied by all by flashing in accordance with the music, was so enjoyable. The show of Bank of China building was my favorite. Kowloon and Hong Kong coasts are very crowded at this hour. Everyone is alarmed to take photos and tripods are arranged side-by-side. It is necessary to go early to get a good place. Also, it is possible to encounter footprints and sculptures of Asian artists in a place so called Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Getting around Tsim Tsa Tsui in the evenings and  drinking something at cafes on the beach were peaceful. The scene I've dreamed for so long was now in front of me. We came across Indians saying ''copy watch, foot massage'' along the way. Because of a little bit of curiosity and a little bit of adventure we followed one. He took us to a showroom on the 18th floor of the building. We passed through the iron doors.  The scene at the end was not very pleasant. The man did his best to sell us a copy watch. When we did not buy at the end, he treated us respectfully and accompanied us down to. You could see the smile and the sincerity of people at all times. We felt safe. We were wandering in the streets of an unknown country away 8000 kms from home. From the very first day, we loved the city and smiling people.

The food issue has always been a problem for me and my wife because we are closed to the new flavors. But people who can try should try.  Especially, Dim Sum served in bamboo plates looks so good.We chose well known fast food chains. We preferred spaghetti and pizza for a few times, nothing could replace a Burger King menu. We witnessed that bamboo was used as a wood, a structural frameworks and a beverage. The branches of bamboo are sold by extracting in the juice extractor. We did not try. They have got stands like kokorec stands which we could not get close because of the smell. I dared only once to take a photo. They sell insect- like food around here. Young people queue in front of these stands. Also, they have got something similar to tripe soup boiling in brown water. This must stink. Getting closer is like a torture. Of course, we had not tried it.

Getting into the crowd in night markets and bargaining were great pleasures. You can find any imitations that you can think of on these cloth stores set up everyday again. But it is impossible to find high quality copies. For this reason, they stop you to take you small showrooms on the high floors of building, while you are getting around the market. You can analyze products in this air- conditioned environment and buy with a hard bargain. My recommendation is that determine a reasonable price and insist on until they accept this price. Quality copies are called AA Quality. We paid 5 USD for the copy of Mont Blanc pen ( very high quality, working with batteries are recommended) and 90- 100 USD for  the copy of Tag Heuer watch. These places are convenient to buy gifts. They will make everything to persuade you. No doubt that you will enjoy your bargains. All these people have the luck of devil, they never get angry. If you bargain this much in Turkey, you will be dismissed from the shop. Electronics stores are on Tung Choi Street South, parallel to the Lady' Market. you can follow the latest trends in electronics in here. When compared to Turkey,prices are cheap, at the same level with the US.  All of them try to sell enlarger- encloser filters or replacement batteries. They try to make profits from the side- products. You need to pay attention to this. The prices of these products are higher than prices in Turkey. Also, there is a big office block to buy a mobile (Mong Kok). When compared to Turkey, prices are cheap up to 30% and for some models 50%. At nights, young people have fun on these streets. After getting dark, no place is left to step on the street. Everyone has got a camera or a PDA. A complete electronic madness is available in here.

As you go to the Victoria Harbor by following Nathan Road, the city plays a different role. Small markets turn into giant stores of the world's famous brands. It is possible to see a Rolls Royce of a Ferrari around. People queue in front of the cashes of expensive brands. Because of the intensity, the LV store allows customers at certain times. We saw much more wealth in here than Dubai. Hong Kong is an extremist city.

We allocated a full day for the Stanley town. This is a small seaside town, 45 minutes away from the city center. There are direct buses going to Stanley from bus departure point under the Elements Mall. I recommend you to get on the top floor of the bus. You will arrive a dreamlike town after an exciting journey. You will reach the coast hosting the historical port, Black Pier, by passing through a bazaar similar to Antalya, Side consisting of souvenir shops. If you encounter a wedding ceremony in here, then you are really lucky. Bride and groom come to this port and get their photos taken in this historical building. They have got different traditions and watching them was quite enjoyable.

Ocean Amusement Park is one of the places that can be visited. But there are long queues in front of all the activities and sometimes it may be overwhelming. Although I find good, I believe it is not necessary to visit on trips without children. Saying similar things about Disneyland will be correct. Even we had visited there, it caused nothing more than a small smile on our faces. But the fireworks show performed in the Castle may be of interest for photo enthusiasts.

 

Tian Tan Buddha is the biggest Buddha statue in this area. People go to here to pray.  When you go the Tung Chung station by Metro, the cable car welcomes you. Adventurers who love longs walks and do not want to get on the cable car can reach Great Buddha Statue by using the narrow pathway. We saw a few people while we were climbing with the cable car. But the walking trails seemed quite difficult. I recommend you not to try this on your own. When you get off the cable car, you come to a downtown and you reach Great Buddha Statue with a 15 mins walk from here. If you go up the stairs, an excellent view of nature will be waiting for you. As the statue did not mean a lot to us, we dealt with the scene.  I think nature lovers should visit this place.

Skipping Macau in Hong Kong will be a big deficiency.  Macau Special Administrative Region was previously a colony region of Portugal and now is in the status of Hong Kong. It does not demand visa from Turkish citizens. Macau is reached via Turbojets departing from Kowloon port in 1 hour. It is Las Vegas of the Far East. There are casinos and hotels and the Macau Tower ,on which a lot activities can be done, in here. This small city consisting of three islands is interconnected with bridges. Venetian Macao and Grand Lisboa are among the must- see places. Especially after getting dark, the city plays a different role with the light shows. The show performed in the swimming pool in front of Wynn Hotel at 20.00 is worth watching. It is possible to visit every hotel. Casinos are open all night long and they try to attract customers with different shows. Poker tournaments are arranged on certain floors. We left the casino with a little earning besides the fun, I wish you luck.

Especially Hong Kong and Macau are worth seeing. British people, controlled the city for many years, transformed this port into the world's busiest port. As they do not demand a visa for Turkish citizens and the direct flights with Turkish Airlines increase the attractiveness of this journey. At least 3 days should be allocated for this trip. It is a route can be chosen on unplanned short- term trips. I strongly recommend Thailand for those who will visit the Asian countries for the first time. You will understand better that you are in Asia. But if you choose Hong Kong, you will not regret this.

THANKS !!!

Please beware your time and effort to read my blog is highly appreciated. Hopefully, tips provided for your next trips will save you some time and money in addition to quality of time you will spend. I will be more than happy to share my experiences from my future trips to continue being a small guidance for you to spend a quality of time with your family, friends and partners. Giving a tiny contribution to your great memories will give me enough spirit to do so. If you think my tips were useful and would like to support my case, please donate a small amount from your heart by clicking the “donate button” below within the minutes. Hence, I can improve the content of my website with more trips. I appreciate your support.

Many, many thanks.

Oktay.