Hong Kong Starter Guide!

Hong Kong....Kowloon Hong Kong...

Somehow that song keeps running in my head whilst walking the streets of HK...haha.
Yes, first time to HK. Glad to have more experienced ones around me, knowing all the good food, good fun and good places to shop. I think in HK, there is something for everyone. So here, my very own rough guide to Hong Kong for first time visitors!

Hong Kong... someone has said that there is a certain magic in the air to make people stay... and once you leave, you are sure to come back.

Shop

First day, shopped around the Ladies' Street (Loy yan kai) and Jordan Street area.
The Ladies' street is so called for its merchandise initially targeting women and their children, but today it sells mostly everything, especially imitation goods. Dvds with the latest shows (Better deals in Msia though), ladies' handbags and clothings, montblanc pens, ties, earrings, chioiserie, doggie clothes and baskets...etc. At Mongkok Station.

For more upmarket shopping, SOGO has 5-6 levels and really good shopping! Love the toys especially the huge range with most not found in Singapore. Sylvanian families twice the size of the Taka display... Many Sanrio products, a remnant of my childhood favorite. Glad I could buy a "My Melody" ruler and the blue-boy eraser for my siblings. Lots of miniatures now that is all the rage here... Chair series! Wish I could get the whole range but I was on a limited budget. Many made-in-japan disney collectibles also, especially toy story, monsters, stitch and nemo. SOGO located in the Causeway Bay area.

Harbourcity has a fantastic view of the Harbour with cool shops, Marc Jacobs and other labels not found locally. Also, M&S had a sale so we got pretty good buys for a low price! The "Fish Street; and Jade Street" near Mongkok station is a fantastic sight to see with packets of fish lined up like balloons in a row.

Stanley market has the usual touristy stuff like jade pieces, linenware, artists' impressions and watercolor scenes, silken thingys, ceramics ... Not for me though I did spot a couple of interesting toy shops. They sell realistic looking toy guns for HK$150. I was tempted but did not dare carry it in. A really wide range of stuff and good bargains available, so it's a must for a first time visitor. Some factory outlets clothes also. A really nice view of the sea and the old prison, plus interesting performances at the village square. Many gwailo eateries. Best of all, avid dog-watchers can spot many interesting breeds. HK is quite an animal friendly city, most people have small dogs and there are many pet shops all around Causeway Bay area. I spotted a cute borzoi with a fancy hat, giant golden retrievers, poodles, terriers and the occasional sheepdog. Even a huge St Bernard!


Food
1. Famous 'lao po ping' wife biscuits found at the basement of SOGO. Also can be found at the Airport, but much cheaper. SOGO b2.

2. "Sweet Dynasty" - has over 60 desserts, all natural ingredients. Must try the soy bean "tofu pudding" as it is called there, tow hua here... Comes in a barrel and you can scoop out as much as you want for yourself. After eating it... beats the one at Rochor anytime. I don't care much for tow hua but this one is really a must try. Also the other desserts are all good, especially the almond 'hu' and sesame 'hu'. Smooth and not as thick and starchy as local versions. They also serve a range of other local food.
The Sweet Dynasty, 88 Canton Road, Tsishatsui, Kowloon.

3. Ever heard of "cha shao bao" in... steamboat? Yes, I've tried it here and it tastes simply delicious. My colleague said it's the first time she saw me eat that much!
Also tried wild black boar meat from Japan for the first time.

The fun part of the steamboat was this fish-paste thingy which came in a cone... we were supposed to squeeze it out into the soup, voila! It became noodles, thick, like udon kind but nicer! I volunteered to squeeze it most of the time hee.

My favorite was the "corn bao" and the beef balls with piping hot cheese in the middle.

Best!

With their really good sales, my budget really counted for a lot in Hong Kong.
With S$170... I bought:
1. 2nd-hand book : Anna Karenina (Classic by Leo Tolstoy)
2. 2 LeSportsac pouches ! I like v much!
3. Korean drama DVD for Jennie
4. 4 Esprit undies
5. 1 Esprit bag, overnighter sized
6. Esprit tee
7. Toy mini motorbike, choroQ brand
8. Disneyland keychain - metal lilo and stitch
9. Sylvanian milk rabbit on baby toilet
10. 3 tubes M&Ms, 1 Poko milk sweet tin can
11. 1 miniature can Asashi, + diet coke + apple juice
12. 1 Victoria Peak photo group shot by professional guy
13. 5 toy horse and warrior figurines for Superdude
14. Sanrio ruler, eraser with roller, Hello Kitty red packets
15. Kewpie baby!
16. Frog head umbrella
17. M&S shirt for Travis
...Amazing isn't it. The only thing I regret? Not buying more!!! I should have bought more Esprit stuff, the Chair toy series... etc etc etc.



And a really, really nice part of the trip - while at Stanley market, we actually saw a movie being filmed! Some police story... the star? Simon Yam!!! He looks good. Tanned dark brown and tall, good build too. We watched how they took 3 takes for a 5 minute sequence eating and dialogue at the police canteen. Way cool!


Spiritedly's dun-miss!
1. Don't miss the MTR - Seamless traffic, people are orderly and well behaved even though there are really lots of people. MTR comes in 2 min intervals, for HK$50, tourists can get a one day pass, really worth it for the shuttle between Tsim Sha Tui, Mongkok, Kowloon stations and even Disneyland.

2. Get the miniature drinks at SOGO's supermarket. Makes great souvenirs, at a dollar plus sing, it's really cool. I especially like the mini Asashi beer, Coke, and various Japanese brands fruit juice.

3. Small, out of the way 2nd-hand bookstore with a good selection of titles ranging from travel, novels, autobiography etc. Run by a Gwailo who has a nice dog and has been living in HK for the last 7 years. Current books go for about 1/4 of the usual price. At Stanley area.
The Chapter House, Secondhand bookshop. Shop C, first floor, Realfound Mansion 30A Stanley Main Street.

4. Their roasted goose meat. Goose is really expensive locally. They do it really nice, and about HK$60 per half goose which is meat enough for 4-5 pax.

5. Must go to the Peak! Fun part is taking the tram up!
Victoria Peak, Lower Terminus. Exit from MTR Central Stn J2. Or take bus 15C from Star Ferry Concourse in Central.

6. Very famous! Chashaobao and beefballs with cheese in them, fish paste noodles like udon you squeeze yourself, and over 20 different soup bases to choose from. Hotpot! Makes a fulfilling dinner after the long shopping time.
Yaugwathei. www.yaugwathei.com Many different outlets, I went to the one at Causeway Bay. 84-86 Morrison Hill Road, Hong Kong. (MTR Causeway Bay Exit A)

7. Japanese-oriented doggie pet shop with grooming facilities and even cafe to celebrate doggie's birthday! Many accessories, especially clothes and pet carriers. Also souvenirs like "The Dog" original booklets, dog charms.
DogOneLife, opposite SOGO.

8. Dessert! The steamed egg custard (yellow) in hot or cold is wayyy too delicious to be missed. Can even 'tapao' home as some of my colleagues did. Also the milk pudding in dozens of flavors: chocolate, coffee, almond etc. A definite must try, we couldn't get enough of it!
Yee Shun Milk Company, 85 Perceival Street Causeway Bay. And other outlets available.

I really enjoyed my trip! Loved the people, the weather, the busy city... especially when I'm not working in it... ...