10 Things to do in Hong Kong (and Macau)

I just did an 8 day stay in Hong Kong and Macau last week. This week, I was transported back to reality on the same flight with my colleague. He told me he paid $345 for 2. I paid (a discounted price of) $300 for 1 WTF!

Hong Kong

1) Go during autumn (Around August to October) to enjoy the cool weather. BUT I was blasted by the weather in HK! Macau was worst! And with 90% mainland tourists gambling on the tiny island, the puffs were unbearable!!! (and this group of aunties were swearing very loudly, in unison, X你妈 along the hotel’s corridor. Exciting!). And not much shopping since it’s winter wear everywhere. With the freak weather these days, end Nov to early December may be a safer bet.

2) Visit the revamped Hyatt Hotel (if u have time). Photo opportunities!

3) Food - Drink the HK milk tea! I love the one from Lan Xiang Yuan (Central, HK island). Also, the egg tarts from Tai Cheong at Lyndhurst Terrace, Central. BIG and nice sushi at Yuen Long. The salmon sashimi is as big as my face! But don’t know where now. Just blindly followed my friend. The famous B-zai liang fen in Yuen Long was huge but so-so. not worth the trip unless u r staying in Yuen Long like me. Drinks at Lan Kwai Fong! I happened to bump into the Halloween countdown party. Fun!

4) Catch horseracing at Sha Tin or Happy Valley racecourse. So exciting cheering though I didn’t place any bet. But my horse came in 3rd! could have won myself an egg tart or meal or something.

5) Visit the outlying islands. This time, I went to the Tai-O fishing village, yes with McDull. Great place!

6) Take the tram on HK island. Anywhere for just HK$2. hop on to the ferry from tsim shat sui to central. Take the upper deck.

7) Shop like the locals at Kwai Fong. Great stuff at under S$20 but looks like S$200. forget about tsim sha tsui, Mongkok or causeway bay.

8) Last but not least, visit McQuarter! Lots of McDull stuff. Felt like paradise! I bought a kiddy umbrella, tote bag and thermal flask (at a discount!) See no touch, no buy! Had wanted to buy a long sleeve t-shirt but no size for me. Some girl said in the shop when she saw McDull in a graduation gown "how come pigs can graduate?". What was her problem? Did she have an issue with pigs?

I was very touched that my friends came fetch me from the airport with McDull. And I stepped into my room, there were balloons and my bed was covered with mcdull’s bedsheet, his limited edition shower gel on the bed. They even got me his latest movie! Don’t be envious.

Macau

大三巴was great and obligatory, but I was more interested in the old buildings on the sides.

9) Visit the black sand beach. Yes, the beach is black by nature, not result of pollution.

10) Go to the Venetian. Beautiful! Grand Canal is indoor! Though the Cotai Strip is a far cry from the populated, exciting The Strip in Las Vegas. Better than Singapore. Look out for the half-completed/abandoned project by Sands opposite Venetian and Four Seasons. BTW, I don’t understand why we can’t take pictures in the casinos. I took to my fill in Vegas.

Bonus: Eat pork chop bun at Da Li Lai coffee shop (I think) on Taipa island, Macau! Guide book says the buns are out at 3pm. Don’t be taken in! They’re out at 2.45pm sharp! The Q starts to form at 2.30pm and the buns are sold out in less than an hour.

and i need to share this interesting window display!

Ok, intelligence journal, here I come!