Hong Kong Highs
August 16th, 2007 by Leslie Lee, Managing EditorPosted in Life at Cosmo |
Whenever it gets cloudy, damp, and a little chillier in Manila, I’m reminded of Hong Kong. It’s one of my most favorite places in the world—something about that city’s vibe stirs my soul, inspires, and de-stresses me (which is why I make it a point to visit it every year—bank account willing).
Two months ago, I went to Hong Kong for a familiarization tour for its annual Shopping Festival. The Hong Kong Tourism Board holds it every year, but this time, it’s a really big deal, since 2007 marks Hong Kong’s 10th anniversary of being a SAR (Special Administrative Region) from a former British colony.
Some highlights of the trip:
• Our headquarters. We stayed in Lanson Place—a really posh boutique hotel located in a quiet spot in one of Hong Kong’s busiest shopping districts, Causeway Bay. It felt like I had my own apartment! My room had a kitchenette, quaint artworks on the wall, and was well-lighted. But the bathroom was the most panalo of all since it was über clean and had mirrors all around.
• The shopping. It would be completely insane if you visited Hong Kong and didn’t indulge in a little consumer therapy. We were lucky that Lanson Place is only a stone’s throw away from Jardine’s Bazaar, a street market that sells cute trinkets and super cheap ladies’ clothes. The stuff is even cheaper than those sold along Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, and it’s already dirt-cheap to boot! Tops can go from HKD29 or around PHP210 to HKD69 or around PHP490, while dresses start at HKD69. You can’t really haggle with the vendors there, though, but if they’re willing to give you a discount, they’ll shave off only around HKD5 or around PHP35. If you’re more into the funky, quirky styles, hit Granville Road. It’s one looooong street full of fun, fasyon pieces sans the sky-high prices of designer brands.
• The food. Every meal we had was a feast for the eyes—and our stomachs. We gorged ourselves with Chinese food and other Hong Kong delicacies, but my most favorite meals were in Sushi One (in Cameron Road, Tsim Sha Tsui) and Gi Kee (in Happy Valley). Sushi One, as the name suggests, is all about raw fish, California maki, and the like. The nicest twist is that they have order cards listing all their dishes (similar to those sheets of paper in our local shabu-shabu restos) and you just have to check the ones you want, indicate how many servings you want of a certain dish (I put two for agedashi tofu—yum!), and they’ll serve it to you ASAP. We helped ourselves to all the sashimi our appetites would allow and I was absolutely wowed by how fresh and crispy their ebi tempura was. Trust me, it practically melts in your mouth. Prices start at HKD51 per person or around PhP357.
In Gi Kee, we had dinner Dai Pai Dong style. Dai Pai Dong is a Hong Kong style of eating, which is, to quote Wikipedia, “a type of open-air food stall” where people eat congee, rice toppings, or noodles in round tables without silong. Some may be hesitant to eat dai pai dong style, but I was all game to try it. And I wasn’t sorry I did—the tables were covered in plastic to be removed after each meal (really smart and hygienic) and table napkins were abundant. And this time around, the restaurants expanded their menus, so we had the staple sweet and sour pork, authentic shark’s fin soup (the kind with chicken and ham), and this really must-try Chinese fried chicken topped with fried garlic. Sarap!
• I finally got to pose with Brad Pitt! Well, at least with his wax counterpart. We went to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum at The Peak and I felt like a kid again when I saw the wax figures of Jacky Chan, Andy Lau, and other Hollywood celebs. They’re not scary at all and you can actually touch them.
Needless to say, I had a blast in this trip. It was great bonding with my colleagues and exploring the different nooks of this hip and happenin’ city. The Shopping Festival ends August 31 so you can still catch the last leg of this celebration. Plus, the HKTB has tied up with VISA so you can also avail of special discounts and promos if you use your VISA during your trip. Check out this site and www.discoverhongkong.com for more details.
Hey Leslie! Thanks so much for posting your experience in Hong Kong. I’m going there this August for the shopping festival and I’m super excited!!! I can’t wait. You’re article really helped me in terms of planning the trip and me and my family are so looking forward to spend time together in HK, our favorite place in the world! More power to Cosmo and hope to see you in Hong Kong!
XOXO
Cathy
I LOVE HONG KONG!
Can I just share? HK shopping is the absolute best! I’ve been going back since the day I can remember and our house is filled with finds from our multiple trips to HK!
Thanks for the tips Cosmo!
- Cosmogirl07
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Your article finally convinced my mom to take me to HK to catch the final leg of the shopping festival!!! I’ve been reading about it in the papers and I really want to go, what with the long weekends coming up. :) So thank you Cosmo, I’ll finally experience the master of all shopping places — HONG KONG!
Love lots,
Rae
Hey Cosmo team! Hi Leslie!
OMG, I just came from HK and its truly a shopper’s heaven! There were so many sales around town and I got the cutest tote bag I’ve been eyeing for months but found ONLY in HK! I absolutely love it there! When they say its a shopping festival, its indeed shopping galore for shopaholics like me!
Thanks for sharing your story Leslie, glad that Cosmo shared the same HK experience as mine.
More power!
Hey girls! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and stories on Hong Kong. It truly is a magical place, isn’t it? :) I hope—no, I’m SURE—that you had plenty of fun shopping there. Go wild over the sales and bargains for me!
XOXO
LL
Hi Cosmo, Hi Leslie,
HongKong is also the best place in the world for me… and i’ve been there twice last year hehehe and im going back soon.. Nice post you’ve got there!!!