'Hyper' Hong Kong

There is no other holiday destination in the world like Hongkong, a bustling and vibrant metropolis 24/7. 

I shall always have happy memories of trips to Hongkong in countless ways, spending an evening getting tipsy over ice cold Corona beer at Lam Kuai Fung (hope i spelled that right), taking a brisk commute via public bus with our HK based go-to-guy Thomas to the night market in Mongkok, or rushing for a full day shopping spree at Stanley Market in Repulse Bay, mentioning just a few of the exciting activities to do in this bustling metropolis.

    Rm. 1701 at HK Hotel

We were regular patrons at the Continental Floors of the Omni Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel. The hotel is on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, the heart of the city’s busiest commercial, shopping and business hub. The Star Ferry and Ocean Terminal are nearby and shopping is just below since the hotel is connected to Harbour City – the biggest shopping center in HK. 

My boss wouldn't have it any other way rather than have the best of the best, from airline seats to hotel accomodations. Our post-modern inspired rooms at the top floors of the hotel had commanding views of HK harbor. 

The very first time I had my HK adventure tops my list of unforgettable travel experiences. 

I got in Kai Tak Airport the day after my 'Davao family' got in, with no idea at all of what HK was like. I arrived alone on a Philippine Airlines flight only to find out there was noone there to meet me though I was informed by the Philippine office in Makati that someone was assigned to meet me. There was some sort of miscommunication regarding my flight schedule so what happened was that the person was still at Hongkong Hotel with no idea that I was frantically looking for her at the arrival area. 

Lucky for me, I had some HK$ so I just decided to take a taxi to the hotel and meet the rest of the traveling party there. I finally made it to the hotel safe and in one piece. 

One of the things I like doing when I travel abroad is taking walks through the local streets close to the hotel. I enjoy seeing people in their own communities and discovering local shops that they patronize for souvenirs at bargain prices.  I was once able to purchase what I call "Kung Fu" shoes from one of the local stalls for only $2, that's a little over a hundred pesos!

There are many other places in HK  for bargain hunting. Mongkok is definitely at the top of my list. A must see shopping haven, the area is a mixture of old and new buildings with shops and restaurants at street level. It's a popular shipping district for both locals and tourists alike. 

Another fun destination for bargain hunters is Stanley Market at Repulse Bay. It is one of the places tourists shouldn't miss when they visit Hong Kong. Stanley has an interesting array of quaint little shops that sell silk clothes, sportswear, various art pieces, Chinese costume jewelry and HK souvenirs. Start your day early though since stalls start to close around 6-6:30 in the evening and by 7 almost everything is closed. You may opt to cap the day by dining at the nearby restaurants and cafes. 

As much as possible, be at Stanley  by about 10:30 am so you'll have plenty of time to walk around the market, do a little shopping, and then choose one of the many nice restaurants for lunch.

To take a break from all the dining and shopping, Ocean Park is a great getaway for a day. A theme park that features ocean wildlife, it is more like an educational theme park. The park features various selections of animal attractions, a few thrill rides and special shows at both the Waterfront and the park at the Summit.  

For gastronomic pleasures, Lama Island is your ideal destination by boat, or better yet take a "sampan". There are two interesting sites on both sides of the island, Yung Shue Wan which is famous for its beaches, bars and bakeries and there's Sok Kwu Wan, a fishing village with many seafood restaurants.