Hong Kong is like no other city on earth and truly warrants its reputation as one of the most pulsating fusions of West and East. The melting together of these two worlds has resulted in a blend of colour, taste and sensation, completely unique to Hong Kong.
|
My residence for the few days spent in Hong Kong was the legendary Peninsula Hotel - better known as the Grand Old Lady. It is the oldest, most expensive, and last colonial hotel in Hong Kong. In December this year The Pen, as it has been fondly nicknamed, turned 80 years old!
There are many reasons why this hotel deserves its top spot on the list of the world's "Best Hotels". Being collected from the airport in one of The Pen's own 14 Rolls-Royces is certainly one of them! However, even if you can't afford to stay at The Pen, a special trip to this hotel is highly recommended to savour and enjoy the afternoon-ritual of high tea in the glamorous cream-and-gold pillared lobby. Every afternoon, high tea is served on Tiffany chinaware, with an Edwardian Tier and Pastry stand stacked to abundance with the most delicious and decadent cakes and sandwiches.
Dining at Felix, the restaurant-bar situated on the 28th floor of the Peninsula is also something to talk about. It is the creation of the world-famous avant-garde designer, Philippe Starck. The glass floor with under floor lighting, is just one of his personal trademarks. The views from this restaurant are truly spectacular and I believe the best panorama of Hong Kong can actually be observed from the men's restroom, with only a floor-to-ceiling plate of glass separating you from the cityscape!
Discovering Hong Kong by day or night is extremely easy - whether by foot or public transport. A step into the 21st century is the efficiency of all modes of transport in Hong Kong - buses, ferries, trains and trams are plentiful, cheap and fast - and you rarely have to wait more than a few minutes. By purchasing an Octopus card (a rechargeable proximity smart card used in an electronic payment system in Hong Kong, loaded with HKD150), you can utilise it on all the above-mentioned modes of transport.
A trip to the highest point of Hong Kong, Victoria Peak can be reached from the district known as Central, by the Peak Tram funicular. Lan Kwai Fong in Central is a great place to catch the happy hour and enjoy dinner at any of the numerous pubs and restaurants. It is a narrow, L-shaped pedestrian street that is a popular venue frequented by tourists and ex-pats in particular.
One of the highlights of a Hong Kong visit is to catch the No 6 double-decker bus from the Exchange Square Bus station situated in Central, to Stanley, about 15km from the city. Make sure you grab a seat on the right hand side of the bus so that you can take in the magnificent scenery as the bus makes its winding way over the hills separating the north and south sides of the island. An added bonus is that Stanley Market offers some of the best shopping bargains in Hong Kong.
Sha Tin is also well worth visiting in order to see the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and to partake in a tea ceremony. The museum is considered the best in the city. It is housed in a building that is reminiscent of an ancestral hall. While in Sha Tin, one should detour to visit the Monastery of Ten Thousand Buddhas. It is located on the top of a hillside and the only way to reach it is by climbing a steep incline that requires a great deal of energy. But it's certainly well worth the effort. Hundreds of life-sized golden statues of Buddha's followers line the steep steps leading to the monastery complex.
Hong Kong is a shopper's paradise. Whether you are looking to buy cameras at any of the shops on Stanley Street in Central, or on Nathan Street in Kowloon, or whether you want to buy CD's and DVD's at HMG, or buy designer labels in one of the many shopping centres - if you have the money to spend, Hong Kong has it
For information on The Peninsula Hotel contact Leading Hotels of the World on 0800 997 012 and for information on Hong Kong contact Cathay Pacific on 011 700 8900.
|
|
|
