Destination Hong Kong

This is not a paid post.

I wondered what the queue was for as I approached a line of people on a busy Saturday afternoon in Hong Kong. It was the line to join if you wanted to cross the road. 

It was a pleasure to see that this former British colony and now Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, still maintained the best of British politeness. 

Hong Kong
Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board

The place had changed dramatically since I was last there, before the Hong Kong Handover on July 1 1997. It had morphed into a city of construction. Its crowded skyline was punctuated by even more glitzy skyscrapers than I remembered. It seemed as if as soon as you turned your back another great piece of architecture rapidly emerged out of the dust. Although you heard languages spoken from all over the world, today’s Hong Kong had a distinctly Chinese flavour which just added to its charm.

As I stood by the fabled Victoria Harbour, I still felt a frisson of excitement. Gritty and edgy interwoven with romance and beauty melded with a smattering of the old combined with the new, Hong Kong felt more exhilarating than ever. While some of the place names such as Connaught Road, Stanley Market and Victoria Peak remain the same, this was a brand-new city.

I started my day with the familiar, a trip on the Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui to Hong Kong Island. A crossing is one of the highlights of a trip here. For first time visitors, another prerequisite is to visit the Peak from where you will get jaw-dropping views of the Harbour and the concrete jungle below as well as a glimpse of the green hills of the New Territories. 

Hong Kong at night
Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board

What a changed place Hong Kong Island proved to be. Where once you bartered for bargains in small shops filled with electronics or fashion knock-offs and glanced at stalls displaying fake handbags and watches or went to a tailor’s workshop where you could get something made in an instant, stood shopping malls full of ubiquitous international brands.

After sauntering round the bustling ifc mall, a great place for a combination of shopping and stunning water views, I boarded a rather familiar-looking double-decker bus and headed to the south of Hong Kong Island to the touristy Stanley Market. The stalls may be awash with tacky souvenirs but there is always a chance of finding a bargain, especially if you like Chinese arts and crafts.

However, it is getting there that makes a trip unmissable. You pass through such gorgeous scenery including the beautiful Repulse Bay that it is really worth the bus ride. Stanley itself is a delightful village. There are plenty of eateries along the seafront where you can relax after a bartering session at the market.

Browsing for bargains
Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board

The Ladies’ Market in Mong Kok Kowloon (it gets its name comes from the fact that it sells so much women’s wear) was recommended to me by the concierge of The Peninsular. (Regarded as the grande dame of hotels, this is the place to go for a traditional afternoon tea.) The lady wrote down the address in Chinese as well as English. Despite the fact that this was once a British colony, many people only speak Chinese. 

On route, I walked down Nathan Road, the main thoroughfare in Kowloon, which has become a quirky mix of museums, religious buildings and a diverse range of mid-market shops. 

Tourists and locals flock to Ladies’ Market in search of a good deal. Fakes are no longer displayed as the government has cracked down on counterfeit. But, that does not stop people trying to tell you that they have “copy bags” for sale.

While temples, abundant lush greenery, and a nightly show that lights up Hong Kong’s skyline, are draw cards of this 24-hour city, a gastronomic adventure has to be up there too. 

Climbing up the Peak
Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board

You can have a full English breakfast, however Hong Kong’s own cuisine is Cantonese, so, why not start your day with dim sum for a change? Whatever your taste in food, you should find something to please at Hong Kong’s incredible selection of 5-star restaurants through to intimate diners and food stalls. When you see a place buzzing with locals, you will know that you have hit upon a gem.

If you fancy a bit more retail therapy as an entrée then head to Harbour City. It is the largest shopping mall in Hong Kong. While there are plenty of designer boutiques to mooch round you will also find around 50 restaurants to tempt you. 

Hong Kong is addictive. However long you are there it never seems to be enough time to soak up all the city has to offer. Which is why you have to keep going back.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

Cathay Pacific has five flights from Heathrow using 777-300s. There are daily flights from Gatwick using its new A350. Ensure when you are booking that it is Cathay Pacific operating the flight, so that you can experience its excellent inflight service. For best fares and rates visit cathaypacific.com or visit trailfinders.com

Stay at Harbour Grand Kowloon. A lovely hotel overlooking the harbour. Room was large. Service good. It is not near the centre but there is a regular shuttle bus to take you there

I booked through Trailfinders.  For more information visit trailfinders.com

Watch out British Airways, there is plenty of competition about

This is not a paid post.

Sitting on a British Airways flight to Singapore recently, I found myself wishing that I had flown with Etihad Airways. A few months earlier I was a passenger on Etihad's new Airbus A380 in economy to Abu Dhabi and was amazed by the service, the food and the aircraft. It was almost like being in a hotel – even the loos were well decorated and pleasant to use. Etihad’s employees are proud to work for the company and it comes over. The crew cannot do enough for you.

Etihad Airways A380 was amazing

Now here I was on a British Airways flight in Premium Economy flying to Sydney via Singapore on an aircraft (Boeing 777) that was beyond disappointing. The service and food were poor. I thought longingly of the perfectly-cooked chicken breast I had on my Etihad flight.

We arrived into Singapore in the evening yet BA served a mediocre breakfast. Well, at least the entertainment system worked and offered all the latest movies.

Things did not improve on the flight from Singapore to Sydney, though the crew were slightly more attentive. 

Going from Sydney to Auckland I travelled with Qantas operated by Jetstar. I expected the same service that I had recently experienced on a short-haul flight out of Heathrow with BA to Helsinki. You paid for refreshments and there was no flight entertainment.

I was in for a real treat on my two-and-a-half hour journey with Qantas which was a slightly shorter flying time.

Everything was spotlessly clean. I was handed a welcome drink as soon as I sat down. I wondered if I had turned left instead of right as I was booked on economy. I had a screen which I thought was not going to be operational. How wrong I was. I watched Lion.

The chicken couscous salad was so good that if I had bought it in a café I would have been pleased. The wines were of a high standard. The red was served at the right temperature. I even got an ice cream for desert. The crew was warm and friendly. I would certainly want to fly with this airline again.

Cathay Pacific was another wonderful experience

Flying from Auckland to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific in Premium Economy was another wonderful experience. Service and food excellent. Two proper meals served on this 10-hour flight. There was even a glass of champagne to welcome you on board. (With BA now you have to ask for it – even in Business Class.) Travelling with BA on its A380 from Hong Kong to London was a let-down after being treated so well by other airlines. 

Everybody is human and can make a mistake which is why I am giving BA another chance and flying with them again this month.

This time, I hope, I will see the British Airways that I knew and loved and have so loyally used for years. 

By Daralyn Danns

Etihad Airways is the national carrier of the UAE and offers three daily flights between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways also flies from Manchester and Edinburgh to Abu Dhabi. For reservations and further details visit etihad.com or call 0345 608 1225

A return fare departing from London – Melbourne via Abu Dhabi starts from £659 in economy class. (You can fly to Sydney. For rates check website.) This fare price is inclusive of all taxes and subject to availability

Cathay Pacific flies from Heathrow via Hong Kong to Australia (make sure that Cathay Pacific is operating the flight and not just code sharing). There are 5 daily flights to HKG using 777-300s and from June 2017, a daily direct flight from Gatwick on its new A350. There are good connections through to Sydney. For best rates and details of departures from regional airports visit cathaypacific.com

Qantas flies to Sydney from London Heathrow and Gatwick. For details of departures from regional airports and stopovers as well as best rates visit qantas.com Check that Qantas is operating the flight and not just code sharing