Feb 16, 2009 01:37 PM
6486 Views
(Updated Feb 16, 2009 01:45 PM)
I visited hongkong during the first week of feb2009 .First of all I wish to thank the pinoyexchange website. The first page of that website gives full details for the new visitor to HKG. flight experience is not so good to HKG by the Cathay Pacific.both seat arrangements& the food r not up to the mark.
The security check up& immigration process takes much longer time at Chennai airport.so better to reach in advance. Once reaching the HKG airport the immigration process is so simple & it takes very little time.
The baggage collection spot is just behind the immigration counters.once collecting the baggage we reach the arrival hall where we can purchase the octopus card .then the directions to reach the city bus terminal is so clear we reach there without much difficulty.
The HKG consists of 3 main islands.kowloon. Hongkong&the lantau island.the airport is at lantau island. from there we can reach other islands by ferry.by bus or by train. A21 bus is cheaper to reach Kowloon .the main street at Kowloon is the Nathan street. it is like our Mount road at Chennai.
All important shops & markets r on the sides of that street. it is better to stay at Tsim sha Tsui .it is midway between harbor & the shopping area & near to kowloon park. Be prepared to walk a lot in HkG. that’s the easy mode of transport in Kowloon!! We can reach hongkong & lantau islands by MTR train .
Better collect the maps at airport it self .all maps r available (transport .shopping.accommodations etc). Inside the MTR stations one can easily find out the maps every where. Ferry is another cheaper mode of transport between islands .pleasant experience also to travel in the sea by ferry.
Changing the trains & changing between ferry& MTR r made very easy in HKG. Accommodation depends up on the budget of the individuals .either hotels or guest houses. Guest houses r kept very clean & cost less. food we have to take out side. we have both bath attached rooms& dormitories with shared bathrooms at guest houses.
If the budget allows one can stay at Disneyland resort which is a better location away from city congestion.but the HK Taison guest house is cheaper& location is so good .nearer to important places& MTR station .at the same time little away from city congestion.
Food is a problem for Indian vegetarians.so better take ready mix pastes ( aachi vathakulambu , puliotharai mixes) so that u can buy rice& mix the paste & take .even the rice available is not as per our taste though it is the best quality of Basmati rice.so be prepared to manage with bread& jam & fruits.
For non veg people HKG is a heaven .pork .fish and varieties of sea foods at every street corner r served hot & freshly prepared. buy water bottles at super markets only .in other places it will cost double .
The important places to be seen at HKG –
-The peak.ocean park. stanely market at HKG island.
-The avenue of stars & the symphony of light .the ladies market , jade market.temple street market flower& bird market at Kowloon .
-The cable car ride, giant Buddha& the monastry, the Disney land r at lantau island.
-There r many other interesting places & beaches & islands also .for the first time visitor these r the places not to be missed.
The peak tram travel is a pleasant & novel experience .to view the city from a high altitude is breath taking. better to be there by evening so that both day time& night time views of the city can be seen from the peak.very neat& safe pathway leads us around the peak .
Magnificent views of the sea & other islands can be viewed while we walk along the path way. There is also a big shopping mall. One can find many souvenirs there (very costly of course). Ocean park we missed because of lack of time & because already we have seen such one at Bangkok. stanley market is little away from the peak .one has to take the MTR or bus to reach there . (to be contd...)
