Lilly's Highlights & Recommendations # 14 (Hong Kong)

Hong Kong is very much like Tokyo. So much so that two of my Top 5 are
the same as Tokyo. The main difference is that it has a slightly more
third world/Chinese appearance in parts. This is an advantage or a
disadvantage depending on who you talk to - some people consider it
gives Hong Kong a livelier edge compared to the strict culture in
Japan, while others just think it makes it a bit grimy! From my point
of view and as you will see from the less than high brow top 5 I
thought it was an excellent place to spend a relaxing and fun week!

1. Shopping - I think I bought more things in Hong Kong than anywhere
else. There are shopping centres on every corner and like in Tokyo
they are not always dedicated to big name brands. In fact a lot of the
small label Japanese brands have made it over here but as opposed to
in Tokyo I could even afford to buy them sometimes! There are some
excellent HK boutiques around too, which make great efforts sourcing
cool kitsch stuff from around the world. Vintage is also really well
represented here. There is also a roaring trade in fake handbags and
watches. Unbelievably I managed to resist! The whole shopping
experience (in fact most experiences) is also made easier by the fact
that almost everyone here speaks impeccable English. So you can try on
and haggle without disaster!

2. Views - the cityscape view from the Kowloon side of the harbour has
got to be one of the best in the world (although the daily Symphony of
Lights show is overrated). It is easy just to wander down to the
harbour to see the view (which is best at night) but it is also fun to
get on the star ferry and see it from the water. Beware though, it can
be misty in the morning. Talking of mist, our trip to The Peak (the
highest point in HK - a residential area containing the second most
expensive street in the world - Monaco has the first) was a bit
disappointing as it was too misty/smoggy to make anything out. The
best bit was actually the bus ride up there. The number 15 has amazing
views of Repulse Bay on the way up. We took the Peak tram on the way
down which was quick and steep.

3. Disneyland - let's get this straight, I know Disneyland is for kids
and very young kids at that (there is only one scary ride - Space
Mountain - and it isn't even that scary!) but it is still a really fun
day out if you just let yourself go with it. Highlights for me
included making myself dizzy on the Mad Hatter tea cups, watching
Donald Duck in 3D, seeing a live Lion King show and the Toy Story
zoetrope Paul has already blogged about. Paul enjoyed Buzz Lightyear's
Astro Blasters because he comprehensively beat me on points. I'm not
sure my gun was working though! An extra bonus is that it doesn't
really get that busy (on a weekday anyway) and we didn't have to queue
much. Childish and fun!

4. Macau - the so called Las Vegas of the East has a long way to go
before it can match Vegas despite a very swanky Wynn hotel, a
Venetian hotel which is almost identical to the one in Vegas and which
boasts the largest casino in the world (full of mainland Chinese) and
one of the ugliest buildings ever seen, the Hotel Lisboa. Having said
that I enjoyed being at The Venetian which is glamorous in a cheesy
way and we enjoyed the Cirque de Soleil show which was on there
(Zaia), which despite a non-existent story (they are getting worse for
this) still impresses with some of the amazing things human bodies can
do.

The best bit about Macau though is the unexpected Portugese influence
(it was owned by Portugal until 1999), which is reflected in an UNESCO
quality city centre with some attractive buildings and streets in the
European style.

Despite a very rough ferry crossing from HK, it is an easy and fun day
trip.

5. Food and drink - they have everything in HK and bizarrely I had my
best curry of the trip (prawn vindaloo) in a place called Spice in the
Knutsford area. I also enjoyed the Chinese food better than in Beijing
and had a great spaghetti bolognase at a Portugese restaurant in Macau
(Lorcha?) Don't ask me what the HK speciality is but if you want a
speciality from anywhere else you will be able to get it in HK! There
is also a good bar scene in HK especially around Soho and Lan Kwai
Fong. Try and make happy hour though as alcohol is expensive.

5(a) - it can't really be in the top 5 as it isn't HK related but
Federer's demolition of Andy Murray made my day. Not only does the Fed
Express roll on but we will have to wait a little longer to see if
winning a Grand Slam will cause the dour AM to crack a genuine smile!

HK also has an excellent array of cinemas, which are cheap during the
week and mostly pretty swanky. Quick film review corner:

- Sherlock Holmes: Robert Downey-Junior is a great Holmes. Jude Law a
decent Watson. The bad guy and the plot are laughable.

- A Prophet: French prison/organised crime drama. Reminiscent of
Mesrine, a bit over long but mostly gripping and very well acted.

- Avatar (3D version at Imax): standard blockbuster fare, so watchable
but occasionally silly. Amazing effects and visuals pull it above
average. Paul will certainly disagree with this one...