Hong Kong

Well I was only in Hong Kong for a 2 night stop over but loved it! What a fantastic vibrant city with lots of striking architecture, and yet a surprising amount of green space too.

I arrived late evening and after dumping my bags at my hotel on Hong Kong Island, I hopped onto the clean and efficient MTR and headed for Yau Ma Tei in the heart of Kowloon.

I grabbed a quick bite to eat and spent the rest of the evening wandering round the area, visiting the night market on Temple Street off Jordan Road, and the Ladies Market.

I spent the rest of the evening wandering around taking in the sights and sounds around Nathan Road. Eventually I ended up in the Causeway Bay shopping area which was still buzzing with shoppers.

I woke the next morning and decided to get the Victoria Peak tram up to Victoria Peak, a big hill (or small mountain depending on your point of view) overlooking Hong Kong and providing excellent views of the island and its impressive skyscrapers.

After whiling away a few hours walking on the peak, I headed back down and caught a bus to the Star Ferry Port and got the commuter ferry over to Kowloon (I was on a mission to try as many forms of transport as possible while I was in Hong Kong).

In the evening I was back around Nathan Road and central Kowloon taking in the bits I'd missed the previous night.

I spent my third and final day doing more wandering around. Firstly back to the Causeway Bay Area with the intention of doing a bit of shopping. The choice of shops was just completely overwhelming so in the end I just gave up on the idea ...

My advice if you want to shop in Hong Kong is:

• Know what you're after
• Do some research before hand on where you might find it

then ...

• Go on a focused mission to get it.

Even if you enjoy window shopping the sheer volume of shopping options is so great that it could easily do your head in!

So in search of something a bit more Zen I headed for the Western Market, an Edwardian building with lots of twee little shops (much more manageable). Then off to the Macau Ferry Terminal across the road for the calming effects of the water, observing the shipping coming in and out, and people watching and yes more shops!

All too soon it was time to get myself to the airport for my flight to New Zealand.

There's a lot more to do in Hong Kong than I managed after a long flight and in a relatively short space of time.

Had the mood taken me there are museums aplenty and loads of other attractions from horse racing to amusement parks to tranquil parks, gardens and other green space.

For me, walking around soaking up the atmosphere, sampling the food, and enjoying the green space was pleasure enough.

For more on stuff to do in Honk Kong check out the excellent website of the Hong Kong Tourist Board www.discoverhongkong.com/uk/ (link opens in new browser window)

Click on a picture to enlarge it and get a short description of the place

Night Market

Victoria Peak

Ferry

Nathan Road