While many of the big name hotel chains have gone smoke free, frequent business travelers can’t always stay in these chains and, internationally, are hard to find. Here is a web site to help you find those smoke free hotels. TIP: go to http://www.smoke-freehotels.com/
Traveling over seas and want a site that specializes in International flight planning? I found as much as a $2000 saving on a Business Class ticket to Rome. They also have a 3D seating chart. TIP: go to www.vayama.com
Health Concerns with Foreign Travel
Traveling to foreign countries can bring up health concerns. Here is a web site that provides information and guidance for the individual traveler. It provides a “search by country section” and a health topic search for information. As with all health issues your personal physician should be consulted. TIP: go to: www.tripprep.com/scripts/main/default.asp
I wanted to close out my section on Hong Kong with a couple of additional resources I have come across. I hope you’ve enjoyed my advice on the beautiful location of Hong Kong.
Two more good Hong Kong sites:
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/login.html
http://www.explore-hongkong.com
Macau is the Asian gambling mecca for the region. Several ferry lines exist to take people to Macau, both from Central and Kowloon. The ferry trip is about a one hour ride. Aside from the gambling, Macau offers a very European look, (the 150 years of Portuguese ownership probably has something to do with that) – quite different than Hong Kong. One can also notice that the streets are much less crowded than Hong Kong.
Public Transportation in Hong Kong
Previously I have mentioned the airport express train and the Star Ferry as public transportation modes. Hong Kong also has an excellent subway system (MTR) http://www.mtr.com.hk which is a very easy system to use. The taxis are also fairly inexpensive and very abundant. TIP: Make sure to carry a card from your hotel in Chinese characters to show the taxi driver for the return trip to your hotel.
Here are a few tips regarding shopping on your trip to Hong Kong.
Stanley Market http://www.hk-stanley-market.com
Stanley Market is a destination unto its own. Taking the double-decker bus from Central is part of the fun. I used to go to the bus terminal (right near the Star Ferry) and get on the next bus out so I could sit in the front row of the upper deck – the ride over the peak is not for the faint hearted. Stanley Market has a wide collection of vendors with Chinese souvenirs and all kinds of silk products – be prepared to bargain.
Temple Street Night Market
The experience of the night market is very different than that of Stanley Market and any trip to Hong Kong would not be complete without visiting here.
Bird Market
This market is again quite a different experience. This area is for the locals to shop for birds. Tourists can walk through without any of the barker type atmosphere of the other markets. The exotic birds are beautiful.
The airport as previously mentioned is on the back side of the island. Disney Hong Kong is also on the island and is a destination of its own. Lantau Island also has one of the largest sitting Buddha’s in the world. This part of the island is accessed by a ferry ride and then a bus to the peak of the island where the Buddha and monastery reside.
The Peninsula Hotel in Kowloon faces Hong Kong Island. Although the view from the original lower part of the hotel is obscured, the view from the top is fabulous. Go up to Felix’s at night for the best view – the restaurant itself is very pricey though. You also need to check out the restrooms at the top!
The Star Ferry traverses Victoria Harbor between Kowloon and Central. The views from the Ferry are incredible. Take the first class fare (less than $1.00 US) for great views and efficient, cost effective travel between the 2 parts of Hong Kong.