| The Asian Continent comprises of several countries. It is the largest of the continents, and with more than 4 billion, the most populous. Asia is bound by the Pacific Ocean on the East, the Indian Ocean on the South, and by the Arctic Sea on the North. When one talks about "Asia", people think not only of the countries, but of the "Asian" culture. | Those countries are China, Japan, Thailand, Hongkong. But there is more to Asia than those countries. There are also countries like Iran and Iraq, who are known to be in the Middle East, but are also part of the Asian continent. To some people, "Asia" is not just a country, but a "culture". This article will explain further. This Asian travel guide will cover some of my favorite countries in SouthEast Asia. That includes, the Islands of the Philippines, Hongkong, Thailand, and some islands in the Pacific. Very few people that I know are aware that some of the countries they thought of as Middle Eastern countries are actually part of Asia. That includes the countries of Afghanistan, Iraq, Brunei, Bangladesh, Kuwait,etc. So, Asia is huge. It is divided into several regions: Central Asia, Eastern Asia, Northern Asia, Southeast Asia, and Southern Asia. Hongkong is in Eastern Asia, the Philippines in a South East Asian country. I will be covering Hongkong, the Philippines, and a few of their neighboring countries. |
HONGKONG
| Hongkong, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, with a population of more than 7 million in less than 2,000 kilometers of land, is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Here are the descriptive words that I can use when I talk of Hongkong: beautiful, natural beauty, fun, classy, shopping, deals, diverse. I was awed by its beauty the first time and every time I visited.
At the moment you land at Hongkong's Airport (HKG), (Hongkong International Airport, also called Chek Lap Kok Airport), you will notice and feel a modern metropolis. combined with the old. You will immediately notice the large diversity of its people. When you walk from the gate to the immigration area (it is a long walk - be sure you have comfortable walking shoes), you will see signs of a modern metropolis. It does not seem like you are in an "Asian" country at all. Advertisements of trade shows all over, all are written in English. Hongkong's fashion can be seen in the advertisements, from the walls of the hallways of the airport, to the moving carts. It is no surprise. The Hongkong Trade Center is conveniently located at the Airport, and can be reached by train (located at the airport complex airport, and is even connected by a shuttle train Map Route of MTR Hongkong . After you pick up your luggage, turn to the left and you will see a very modern hotel attached to the airport, the Hongkong Regal Hotel. Tired from your trip, no problem. You can immediately check in to your hotel and after a little nap (if excitement can make you sleep), you can head over to the massage therapy rooms. You can smell, see and feel the scents of a relaxing mood even before you reach your room.
If you prefer to have dinner at your hotel the night that you arrive, you may do so, although, of course, it is more expensive. Not bad if you are there for business and the company pays for it, for you will be missing a lot. Hongkong's restaurants are as varied as its people.
But if you are staying in Hongkong for only a few days, it is for your benefit to explore the city. Hongkong is for exploration. The modern train system (MTR - cost for 24 hours is about 55HKG dollars(I paid about $9.00 USD the last time I was there) can take you to any cosmopolitan, natural wonders, or any discount shopping destinations. The train itself is a modern work of art. The LCD displays show you where you are, where you came from, and where you are going. If you are sitting on one side of the train, you will see the view of the mountains. On the other side, is a view of the ocean. So, anywhere you look, it is natural beauty. |
If you prefer to take a taxi, you will notice that there are 3 kinds and colors of taxis: the green colored ones serve the new territories; the red ones serve the urban areas; and those on Lantau Island (where the airport is located) are colored blue. (I was watching the lone line of taxis and wondered what the colors meant. The different colored-taxis have their own parking lines - so the passengers are not confused what taxi to take where). Of course, if you are a tourist staying in a hotel, there is always the Information or Concierge Service that can help you decide. After a one day lay-over (it was actually a flight delay in Tokyo, I was so tired to explore the city when I got there that night). I decided to explore the city the next day.
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I purchased a 24 hour MTR pass and decided to go where they told me I can purchase pearls (outside China proper). I got off near the Peninsula Hotel in the Tsim Ssa Tsui area. I had the perfect breakfast buffet and continued on to explore the long shopping street of Nathan St. I am surprised to see a number of foreigners, Americans, Europeans, and people from my country who are residents of Hongkong, living and working there. I was told that if I just explore the little streets off Nathan Road, I would be able to find some signs leading to pearl wholesalers. Well, there were too many distractions. I stopped at little vendor stalls and purchased silk purses, silk souvenirs, chatted with some Filipinos on how to migrate to Hongkong, etc. I purchased several items and they were heavy for me to carry on my search for the pearls. The vendors were nice (and I trusted them) enough to hold my purchases until I come back that evening from more shopping spree.
Along Nathan Road, I found an electronics store selling computers, notebooks, etc. They were super sellers, I can say, for when I am done with their store, I ended up spending more than $1,000.00 for a netbook and a notebook, and their accessories. More walking, I entered some tiny malls and small streets where I purchased some more souvenirs, oil paintings and stuff. I love shopping outside the malls! There are real deals. Getting hungry, I went to a little alley where there were lots of tiny restaurants. I found a pasta restaurant, tiny, with about 10 tables and I ordered one of their gourmet pastas. You will not believe the huge serving! And the flavor. I paid about $7.00 USD for the huge portion (I was able to eat only 1/3), and that could cost more than $20.00 USD at my hotel.
I did not find the signs leading to the pearl wholesale stores but I found a couple of jewelry stores. They offered me some pearls which I thought were good deals. I was even given a certificate of authenticity. Later on, back home to the U.S., I examined the pearls and they were in bad shape. There were no many scratches. I paid about $50.00 USD for each strand. I believe they can be purchased for about $3.00.
I was waiting for my Pakistani friend, Tahir, to show up at the airport but he never made it to Hongkong. He knows a lot about the Hongkong markets and he should have been my guide to shopping for pearls. Well, may be next time.
Back in the U.S., I found out that I overpaid for the ASUS netbook that I purchased. (When am I going to learn a lesson?). My mom who works at Walmart could have purchased that for me for a dew hundred dollars less. So, buyers, beware! When you go to Hongkong to shop, be sure you have a local take you to the different shops and let him/her help you negotiate for the lowest price. Do not be like me. Well, I have to get even when I get back. I think I can find those stores again.
I stopped and stared at a mosque located on Nathan Road. Looks like it is a social gathering place for the Muslin males in Hongkong.
Here are the other things I have done during my visits to Hongkong:
Walked. Hopped on the train. Shopped. Ate.
I walked to the following areas in Kowloon: Hillwood Soho, where the locals meet for food and bars. Park Lane Shoppers Boulevard. This area is full of shoppers day and night. Walked to the Avenue of Stars and waited for the world's largest multi-media - sounds and lights show from about 40 building at the Victoria Harbour. The lights, sounds and narration can be seen every night at 8:00p.m. This is a "must see" in Hongkong. Shopped at Harbour City, one of the largest shopping and entertainment centers with more than 700 shops. Shops galore!
SHOPPING IN MONGKOK
Hop on a train and go to Mongkok. If you want to experience the local lifestyle and shopping, this is the place to go. You will see several little stores in the alleys when you go to Mongkok and Yau Ma Tei of the Kowloon Peninsula. My first stop? The wholesale and retail Flower Market. I wanted to see how much they are selling lilies at the Mart. Not bad, but I thought it was not that inexpensive. Being a grower myself, I sell my lilies for $2.00USD a stem. There, they sell for about the same, or a few cents lower. I briefly stopped at the Goldfish Market. Here, you will see multi-colored gold fish (why are they called Gold Fish?). When you purchase, they put them in a little plastic bag for you to take home. I did not have a home in Hongkong so I immediately left. In Mongkok, you will find what they call the "Ladies' Market. Here, you will find trendy clothing for ladies - and for gentlemen as well.
More places... If you like seeing temples and cultural centers, and historic places, there are a lot of them too. From the old historic St. Andrews Church, and the walled city park to the modern cultural center in Kowloon, Hongkong has them all.
"Must do" in Hongkong..
Take the cable car to Victoria Peak and have dinner there.
Take a ferry from Central Pier 4 to Lamma Island (about 30 minutes ride), and experience the open-air seafood restaurants in the area. Lamma Island is also a good walking on the beach place.
An easier way -
If you do not want to plan the trips on your own, you can join a tour group. Check with your concierge at the hotel or stop by any Hongkong Tourist Bureau offices.
Still looking for a pearl?
I gave up this time. Next time I will get my visa to enter China (visa is expensive at the airport but you can purchased at the U.S. for more than $100.00USD less), then, I will take a train to the closest border and will shop for pearl there. By the way, the pearls are not for me....they are for my dearly beloved boss who does not want to fly long distance. I just have to explain to her that I got "ripped off" in Hongkong.
Hotels in Hongkong
5-Star Hotels
Regal Hongkong Hotel
Peninsula Hongkong Hotel
Mandarin Oriental Hongkong
Hyatt Regency Hongkong
Intercontinental Hongkong
Marriott Hotel Hongkong
Harbour Plaza Hongkong
Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel, Hongkong
Royal Plaza Hotel
Renaissance Harbor View Hotel
Gold Coast Hotel Hongkong
Inter-Continental Grand Stanford Hotel Hongkong
Langham Place Hotel
Nikko Hotel
Royal Garden Kowloon
Next.......4-Star Hotels in Hongkong.......
Until next time, this is your airline insider reporting about Hongkong in Asia.
For my next report: Manila, Philippines. Another shopping and discount shopping destination.
The following airlines can fly you to Hongkong:
Cathay Pacific (flag carrier of Hongkong), Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, Jet Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Dragon Air, Northwest Airlines, Air Hongkong, Philippine Airlines, South African Airways, Uni-Air, AeroFlot, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand,Air Niugini, Air Pacific, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Continental Airlines, El Al, Emirates Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Eva Air, Finnair, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines,Mandarin Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Orient-Thai Airlines, Pakistan Intl Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Xiamen Airlines.
Next report -
For my next report: Manila, Philippines. Another shopping and discount shopping destination. The home of Filipina "Mail-Order" Brides. What makes these Filipinas desirable wives?
In the meantime, please see the following video -
View this great video about the Philippines Part 1 of the video Travel Sample of E! Wild - Manila, Boracay, etc. more videos here
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