Hong kong
Hong Kong is a gritty but beautiful city back-washed with the cultures and traditions of centuries past. IT moves at a steady flow that i found never to congested nor to empty. Being a cosmopolitan city it hosts a collective of expats from every continent. This allows for a COMFORTABLE unisolated feeling even being half way around the world.
hotels
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong - $$$$ - ***** -This hotel is easily in Hong Kong's top three if you are looking for comfort, location, amenities and a home away from home that makes your stay in a foreign land optimal. Its a 5-star experience normally, but I strongly suggest splurging for the executive floor suits that offer you much bigger rooms, incredible views and full access to everything in the hotel including the penthouse lounge that is a show stopper. It has WI-FI, American newspapers, breathtaking panoramic city views, breakfast, lunch and happy hour all-inclusive for those special guests. If that's not enough the hotel offers four restaurants that all make great food and delivers room service well into the night. Bottom line this is a great place to stay.
(side note...pack your bathing suit!! The pool is BEAUTIFUL and open all year round do to Hong Kong's weather. Oct and Nov are the best time to visit)
Restaurants, bars and the overall nightlife of Hong Kong could be best described as ALIVE. Almost every night of the week the streets are packed with fun loving free spirited people most of which are well educated and have interesting reasons for being in Asia. You can jump from one interesting conversation to the next as you weave in and out of the bar lined streets.
bars & RESTAURANTS
Here is a list of some of the favorites I experienced....
1. POTATO HEAD - 100 Third St, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong - Fusion foods that are to die for in small portions that allow for great sharing in groups. Once you finish your meal ask if you can see the "MUSIC ROOM". If you are lucky they will lead you down a long black poorly lit hallway to reveal an incredible lounge where VINALE is king and GIN is the drink of choice.
2. TSIM CHAI NOODLE - 98 Wellington St, Central, Hong Kong - While walking the streets on literally my first day I spotted this hole in the wall. Ten tables all being shared by strangers while noodle are being cranked out bowl after bowl after never ending bowl. This place has no bells or whistles, but the line of locals that wait up to 40 minutes to be seated is all the validation needed. For almost pocket change you can have a lunch that you will want to repeat time and time again while in HK.
3. LA VACHE! - 48 Peel St, Central, Hong Kong - Sunday is dead in most cities but not here. The Sunday Disco Brunch at La Vache is a fun way to enjoy a steak fritz and champagne while dancing the day away with a beautiful fashion forward crowd and a DJ that is worth following. GREAT VIBE!!!
STREET ART and STREET FOOD is something that Hong Kong is filled with but it's often overlooked. Take the time to embrace it and I promise you will be pleasantly surprised by the things you find, see and taste.
street foods
LEE KEUNG KEE NORTH POINT EGG WAFFLES
For the most famous egg waffles in Hong Kong
What to order: Egg waffles, Egg puffs
Price range: HK$15 - $25 ($1.92 to $3.20)
When: daily from 11:00
Where: 492 King's Road, North Point, HK | 178 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha sui, HKKAM WAH CAFE
For delectable pineapple buns that people patiently queue up for
What to order: Pineapple buns, Egg tarts, Chicken wings, Milk tea
Price range: HK$12 to $31 ($1.55 to $4.00)
When: 06:30 - 12:00 daily
Where: 47 Bute Street, Prince Edward, Hong KongTEMPLE STREET NIGHT MARKET
For a multitude of street food choices
What to order: Fried chestnuts, Fish balls, Egg waffles, Dumplings
Price range: HK$10 to HK$35 ($1.29 to $4.51)
When: 14:00 until the wee hours, daily
Where: Between Jordan Road and Kansu Road, Hong Kong
Hong Kong and China are well known for tattoo work and "The Company Tattoo" in Kowloon providence is considered one of the best. The artists are very talented and the space is clean and very cool. My only real tip or suggestion is to be very clear with pictures and description of what you want. English is NOT their first language and it could be a tricky barrier in conveying exactly the design you want permanently decorating your body.
Less than an hour from the bustling city you can find yourself in Ocean Park & Repulse Bay. The beach lined costs and thick forested areas make for the perfect day trip. You can hike in the morning and spend the rest of your afternoon laying on stunning beaches that are never over crowded. (I did not find much nightlife activity in the area, but then again, I was never there past 6pm)
