douglasb

An Aussie friend hits 40 next year, so I'd like to be at the party. On previous visits I've gone direct with refuelling stops rather than a couple of days' stopover. This time, I'd like to have a couple of days in Hong Kong.

Google and Austravel come up with all the usual suspects for direct flights (BA, QANTAS, Malaysian, Singapore, Virgin, etc), but none give any useful information about stopovers in HK. I then thought "Cathay Pacific" and had a look at their website, but it isn't really much use either.

Can anyone point me in the right direction, please, and can anyone suggest how long I should allow for Hong Kong and what are the "must sees"?

Thanks

Doug

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

A quick Google through up these website

I would spend about a week there personally, but it depends how much you want to do!!

BA were expensive when trying to get a stop over in Hong Kong. I found Cathay Pacific gave the best fares with a flight to Sydney (4 hour stop over in HK to change planes) and 1.5 week stop over in HK on the way back.

douglasb

Thanks Andy. That link looks really useful so I'll have a good look through it.

As for how much I want to do, a large part of it is eating! I'd really like to sample authentic Chinese food.

I'll need to have another look at the Cathay Pacific website to see if there is more info about stopovers.

Cheers!

Doug

RobJenks

Personally I would consider Dubai before Hong Kong as a great stop over.
Fly Emirates direct from London to Dubai then onto either Perth/Melbourne /Sydney.

douglasb

Hi Rob. I'd really been thinking of HK but am open to all suggestions, so what is the attraction of Dubai? What are the "must sees" there?

Emirates have a good reputation so I'm happy to consider them, but I need to be convinced why Dubai over HK.

Thanks

Doug

SiPie

Give Trailfinders.co.uk a look as they were excellent helping me plan a HK stop-over on the way back from marrying in New Zealand...

They passed me on to a dude who had lived in HK for a few years

I've planned 3 days with Cathay Pacific

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

I've said it before on HK threads, but here goes:

My favourite site in all the world (that I have seen) is taking the Peak Tram at dusk (late afternoon) head up the side of a mountain in a tram, and then when you get to the top, watch the sunset on Hong Kong and see the neon light up!!



I'm looking forward to doing that again later on this year with my wife!

Other sites to see:

Kat Hing Wei - Tang Walled Village which is my ancestral home!
Repulse Bay
Stanley Bay
Catch the Star Ferry across to Hong Kong Island (like they do in the movies!!)
Lantau Island (and the Big Buddha)
Street markets, various shops, etc, etc!

WRX_BLUES

Even better watch the sunset, have dinner at one of the restaurants and then enjoy the night view with all the lights up! Did this with my wife, although the restaurants are a bit on the steep side, but was well worth it for the romance. (Not much of that these days)

CrisPDuk

In total agreement there I flew Cathay to Oz with a couple of mates in 98 & we stopped in HK on the way for 36hrs, with the added bonus of landing at Kai Tak just before it was closed My mate booked it through our local travel agent as it was a better deal than t'internet.

Went again last year with Mrs D and the kids, this time we went Malaysian with 2 day stopovers (out & return) in KL, and again the local travel agent (same as previously) was a lot cheaper than anything we could find either on the net, or through any of the major agents.

As an aside, Malaysian Airlines have the most courteous staff I have ever encountered, And their food is easily the best airline food I've ever eaten

CrisPDuk

The restaurants aren't as steep as the f*cking hill they're on

Reffro

Just as an aside, to back up a few comments on here.

Dubai is a great place to visit, but I'd take Hong Kong over it anyday.

And as alternative to Cathay Pacific, Virgin will be launching a London to Sydney service via Hong Kong next year. So there may be some better prices for that route when you come to fly.

what would scooby do

Avoid Causeway Bay in HK - that's where I always get into trouble, everytime

douglasb

Thanks chaps.

The g/f has picked up the brochures from her local branch so I'll have a look over the weekend.

Thanks Andy. I'll put your suggestions on the "must see" list.

I fully agree, ChrisP. Last time I went to Oz, I went with Malaysian and found that another point in their favour was the 34 inch seat pitch in Cattle Class.

I've just seen a brochure where BA are claiming that their long haul 747's have "a 31 inch seat pitch for the comfort of our passengers" I'd hate to think what seat pitch uncomfortable passengers get

I've been back and forwards to Dusseldorf about 3 times in the last 6 weeks and had one return on a British Airways BAe 146 with 34 inch seat pitch. The other journeys were on Lufthansa Canadair 100s with 31 inches. That was bad enough for 1.25 hours, but for 22 hours...

Reffro - I noticed this in the papers last week, so I won't be booking anything until these flights become available and prices are known. I think they start on December 9th.

My Aussie friend used to have a job which meant that he was regularly flying around the Pacific Rim. His personal order of favourite airlines was - Virgin, Singapore, Cathay, Qantas, Malaysian, BA, The Rest. Things may have changed since he stopped flying so far and wide, but it sounds like it hasn't changed too much.

D'oh!! Just remembered that a girl who works in the local Chinese takeaway has a day job in a travel agent! I'll need to try the Salt & Chilli Pepper King Prawns sometime soon....

Doug

Henrik

iTrader: (5)

I went HK earlier this year, and it's definitely the best destination I've ever been to! I'm definitely going back sometime soon

We thought that the markets were great fun (Temple Street Market), and the Peak was very good also even though it was a bit misty. The restaurant on the Peak was OK'ishly priced, IMO... Defo cheaper than any restaurant you'll find in London!

Personally, the best bit was Lantau Island, with the big Buddha... Oh, and the bus drivers are totally crazy If you decide to go to the big Buddha, I recommend trying the monestary food too, it's very nice.

If you wish to venture outside of the city you might need some vaccinations (Dengue fever?). Your GP will be able to advice.

Henrik

iTrader: (5)

Oh, and Nathan Rd is SO boring, go somewhere else, and definitely do *not* buy a camera or anything like that on Nathan Rd

I also recommend getting the Lonely Planet guide book, it's very good (imho)

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Mong Kok for electrical equipment and car bits, with the family home more in the sticks, there are still deals to be had in places like Yeun Long and Sheung Shui, but you really have to know where to look!

There are some massive breakers yards near Kam Tin, but I'm not sure my then wife would appreciate me dismantling cars on our honeymoon!!!

Big C

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthrea...ight=hong+kong


I asked the same not too long ago. enjoy.

C

scoobybooby

Are there any upper class ho's in hong kong?

A friend of mine went and said I should check them out any suggestions?

DRUNKNORGY

I was there years ago (lived there for 6 months as a kid), and the guide books which the hotels used to hand out, were full of escort girls.


Deffo be heading back there when the kids are off our hands, but its an expensive destination as a family holiday (unless you have folks there)

Wonderful place to go IMO

douglasb

Just got home from the tour. Your advice helped us to cram the most into our couple of days in Hong Kong.

Stayed at the Park Lane at Causeway Bay. Arrived on Sunday evening; dinner in a back street cafe. Monday morning, we decided on Dim Sum for breakfast and took the MTR to Sheung Wan to a restaurant in Des Voeux Road. The staff didn't speak English and there was no English translation on the menu, but they understood "Dim Sum. You choose." Anyway, delicious food for about HK$135 for two (£9). Walked round the area then took the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui. Afternoon in the Museum of HK History.

Back to the Island late afternoon for the Peak Tram. While still daylight, walked partly round the Peak on Lugard Road.



Ate at the Chinese cafe at the Peak (part of the Galleria building, but the only entrance is from outside rather than in the Mall). Less than HK$100 for dinner! Saw the lights .

Tuesday morning, got the tram along to Central. Bus to Stanley for a look around the market. Lunch at Stanley market then a bus to Aberdeen. Sampan trip around the harbour for an hour. Here'a a photo for the cat lovers.



Bus back to Causeway Bay. Walked to Lockhart Road to a Peking/Szechuan restaurant. Delicious! Getting expensive at HK$310 though .

Wednesday morning, stroll round Victoria Park before getting the flight home.

Thanks for the advice.

Doug

Leslie

Glad you enjoyed it Doug, your description brought back some happy memories.

Les

Allan

iTrader: (1)

Brilliant, great memories for me too, absolutely loved HK. Off to KL and Kota Kinabalu this year.

Allan