Just Back From ...
Hong Kong and Macau
by Donna Lecopoulos
Having been a previous visitor, one had certain expectations of what to see and do in Hong Kong. I was pleasantly surprised when I received my itinerary that was put together by the Hong Kong Tourist bureau. Hong Kong Tourism have a new cultural programme where they help you discover another side of Honkers that doesn't just centre on shopping. Now don’t get me wrong, I can shop with the best of 'em but, it is nice to see a side that most people do not experience.
Our trip started with a very luxurious flight with Virgin Atlantic in their Upper Class Suite and let me tell you, I was wondering what the poor people were doing. Price wise this is a bargain so if you have the means, this is definitely the way to go. Highlights of the 5 day trip included a sunset cruise between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island on a Chinese Junk, learning Tai Chi from a Tai Chi Master overlooking Hong Kong Harbour, a guided tour of the National Gallery featuring historical and modern art pieces, Seafood feasting in an authentic Chinese fishing village followed by the Sound and Light Show in Hong Kong Harbour, Chinese tea making and tasting at one of Hong Kong's finest tea dealers. Lets not forget the shopping. Best bargains can be found all over Hong Kong specifically at the Ladies market in Mongkok, Temple Street Markets, Stanley Markets and the thousands of shopping malls dotted all over the place and after your feet have been forced that extra mile why not treat yourself to one of the 24 hour reflexology massage places where you can have a 45 minute massage for only $18 Australian.
A short hydrofoil took us to Macau where we experienced a little slice of Portugal in Asia. Quaint cobblestone streets and European-esque town squares dot the centre of Macau with the shopping similar to that in Hong Kong only on a smaller scale. If you wish to try your luck at gambling then this is the place for you as there are many different themed casinos awaiting your Australian dollars. Apparently there is much Australian and American investment here and at least 3-4 new mega casinos will be finished by end of 2006. Apart from a huge nightlife there are a few adventurous things that our group took part in. We walked around the outside of the Sky Tower (tallest building in Macau and no rails to hold onto - looks like the CN tower in Toronto) and some were free falling from the side of the building with AJ Hackett – way too scary for this little black duck.
As I mentioned earlier, this was not my first time to Hong Kong but the tours taken were something completely different from those that I had done before. Just when you think you know a place ... hmm ...
