Take in Hong Kong's stunning views
Walk along the waterfront in Kowloon and stare across the water at Hong Kong's striking skyline. Then head over to the Star Ferry, another Hong Kong landmark, and ride across the waters to the Hong Kong side while enjoying the stunning views.? A miniature hill station in colonial times, Victoria Peak offers the most breathtaking view down into central Hong Kong and across the water to Kowloon, regarded as one of the best views in the world. ?Visitors can visit via the Peak Tram, a funicular in use since 1888. ?Atop the hill is the Peak Tower (a slightly bizarre viewing platform with displays and other facilities) as well as the recently revamped Peak Galleria shopping arcade and several new restaurants, ranging from Bubba Gump Shrimp company to exquisite Japanese fare at Kyo Hachi. Dinner at Cafe Deco, in the Peak Galleria, is also highly recommended.
Stroll through Statue Plaza
This area is a must-see display of dazzling modernist architecture. The square is dominated by banking buildings - The headquarters building of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) forms the south side of the square and just to the east of it is I M Pei's Bank of China Tower (now Hong Kong's 'national ' monument). Less distinguished but equally prominent buildings jostle around them, towering over the colonial remnant of St John's Cathedral. In more antiquated contrast, the Legislative Council Building, formerly the Supreme Court, on the east side of the square, houses Hong Kong's partly elected assembly. The juxtaposition of the towering modern buildings with those of colonial times presents a stirring contrast between the old and new.
Experience the city's beating nightlife
We spent an evening in Lan Kwai Fong, the famous square mile of Central offering relaxed drinking hours and the most intense partying. This area has a great energy to suit any mood - from a relaxing atmosphere for sipping beers and people-watching, to pulsating clubs with music and dancing until the sun comes up. Several venues offer drink specials - 3 -or-1 and 2-for-1 drinks during happy hour (before 8 or 9om); if you miss these specials then drinks tend to be rather expensive. There were both locals and tourists out and about in this area, and my brother and I got some tips from residents on current hot spots. For those seeking more chic surroundings, SoHo (South of Hollywood Road') is a more relaxed concentration of brasseries, bars and beer spots, just off the Mid-Levels Escalator. Discos in Kowloon offer yet another option for experiencing the local nightlife. Free listings on the latest details are also available online and in print - in BC Magazine, Where Hong Kong, Life HK Magazine, and Beats.
Enjoy the tasty local culinary creations
We enjoyed several meals of dim sum and other Cantonese specialties during our stay in Hong Kong. My dad chose a fish out of a tank and had it steamed - this was a well-made dish; however it came at a price. A word of caution to vegetarians and others with dietary requirements or preferences - the people will say anything to sell you a dish!! They even lied and claimed that a sauce used in one of the dishes contained no meat, when in fact the primary ingredient was Chinese ham!! I only found this out when considering purchasing a bottle of the delicious and spicy XO sauce and took some time to look over the ingredients. When I confronted the servers who told me in contained only scallops and vegetables, they feigned shock and confusion and finally acknowledged that the sauce did indeed contain pork. We had a fun and touristy time at Yung Kee (in Central), one of Hong Kong's most famous and most revered dining venues. We were first presented with a small plate of "thousand year old eggs", a Chinese delicacy made by preserving duck, chicken, or quail eggs in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, lime and rice straw for several weeks to several months. The green yolk was creamy and pungent, and more flavorful than most versions I have tasted in the past. Those eggs were one of my favorite parts of the meal. We then ordered a variety of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, all of which were quite good.
Purchase a wardrobe of tailored clothing
Although Hong Kong offers world-class shopping, those seeking more unique clothing options (and a custom fit) may choose to visit one of the fine tailors residing in Hong Kong. Clearly this is not an activity at the top of every visitor's list, but as the primary reason my brother wanted to make a side trip to Hong Kong was to get some suits made, we kept this as a top priority. And we ended up with a great outcome. Keep in mind the old adage "you get what you pay for" as it seems there are several different "levels" of tailors in Hong Kong, offering varying qualities of both material and workmanship. It's best to allow for several days to accommodate at least two fittings and final alterations. My brother had a good experience at Custom Circle tailors, located in the Sheraton in Kowloon, and is very pleased with his purchase of two suits, a blazer and eight shirts. I considered purchasing a few suits as well, but the prices ran higher for women's clothing - significantly higher than the prices I pay for suits at places like BCBG and Ann Taylor. However, if your tastes run more towards higher-end styles such as those offered by Chanel or St. John, you may be able to have similar pieces tailor-made for a bargain.
