Wheels up from Bangkok, by the way, the new airport in BKK is much improved and one of the nicer ones I have been to. Landing in Hong Kong was fantastic! It was dusk and the sunset set a wonderful contrast over the region.
Hong Kong is a busy city but even with masses of people and traffic it was not hard to get around. First suggestion, get out of the cabs and onto the subway. The subway even has a route to and from the airport. You can check your bags in at central station prior to boarding the Airport Express. The subways are safe and clean. Ride a cab and get there hours later.
If you are into electronics you are in for a feast. Buyer beware though. There are many places that will swindle you so be an educated buyer and do the research first. I invested a mint into some Canon camera equipment but did not buy until several days into the trip. I only bought after finding a licensed dealer. Rule of thumb... if it is too cheap it is too good to be true.
Make sure you check out the night markets. You may not find much more than tourist trinkets to buy but they are a good experience.
If you have an interest in Chinese medicine you will have no problem finding them... just follow your nose! Being in the medical field I was interested just long enough before getting soured by the smell... lol.
Make sure to go to the Peak. It has a great view of Hong Kong Harbor. You will also find great places to shop and eat there. A favorite of ours was Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. Yea I know, not exactly Chinese, but goo none the same and a great view to boot. There is also a great wax museum. Take the tram up and down... there are buses but the tram s much more enjoyable.
The Big Buddha is a great site. Unfortunately the cable cars were broken down so we had to take a treacherous trip in a bus through narrow mountain roads to get there. It was well worth it! Good luck on the stairs... they make you earn the trip but again... well worth the climb.
What is a trip to Hong Kong if you don't go to Disney and Ocean Park. Disney is much smaller than the one in California... or am I just much bigger than when I was last there? The great thing about it is it will only take a day. Ocean Park is huge but it has breath taking views and great attractions. It is much like the Sea Worlds back in the US. One little bit of advice... invest the few HKD to buy a battery powered hand held fan. Hot and humid is the normal weather... it is amazing how nice the little fan can be.
Honorable mention goes to the Harbor light show. Don't miss this. You have to go down to the viewing deck in Kowloon for the best views. Getting there is easy... jump on the subway and you can get there from anywhere. Just make sure you get there early for the best seats.
The Eaton Hotel was good for the money. Keep in mind, hotel rooms are small in Hong Kong. I don't spend much time in the room anyway so size really does not matter. I would definitely suggest staying in Kowloon as it seemed to be the most central and accessible to the whole region.
All in all Hong Kong was a great decision. It was a spur of the moment to go but one of the best rips I have had.
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Hong Kong Hotels
