Arrive Friday 2 November – Depart Thursday 8 November

Tour guide from Hong Kong Getaway Private Tours – https://www.thehongkonggetaway.com

Hong Kong consists of three main territories: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories.
Hong Kong Island – This is the place you see on TV, it’s the political and economic centre of Hong Kong, crammed with skyscrapers, swanky malls and luxury hotels and lots of people crammed into a small area.
Kowloon Peninsula is on the mainland separated from Hong Kong Island by Victoria Harbour which is one of the deepest natural maritime ports in the world. Kowloon is a shopping, arts and entertainment district.
The New Territories – this is a region of wetlands, parks and mountains North of Kowloon. The New Territories also encompasses 260 outlying islands, including Lamma Island known for its laid-back beaches.

https://www.topchinatravel.com/hongkong/hongkong-facts.htm

Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate and can be very humid, so all stores, entertainment places have air conditioning. So you will be walking around sweating then go into a building and in minutes be cold and shivering. So take a jumper to slip on.
Need good walking shoes; Hong Kong has lots of hills very hard on the feet
Hong Kong is the most expensive city to live in the World. You will spend more money than you expected. Credit cards accepted in many places but you still need to carry lots of cash
Bug spray – need plenty and always carry an umbrella
In restaurants they use the boiling hot water you are given to drink to clean their utensils and then they pour this dirty water into a big bowl in the middle of the table.
In restaurants often have to share tables. So if we are sat on a table for 4 or 6 don’t be surprised if staff bring someone else and seat them at our table.

FRIDAY 2 NOVEMBER

Afternoon

Arrive at 16:54 at Hong Kong West Kowloon train station picked up by driver with people carrier and taken to our apartment: J Residence, 60 Johnston Road, Wan Chai
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/16499723

Evening

Meet our tour guide and go on a ‘Hong Kong At Night walking tour’ (6pm to 10pm).

Eat dinner alfresco at a local restaurant in the night market. Visit the Ladies Markets:

Temple Street Night Market:

Mong Kok Walking District

Walk along the Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Promenade to see the beautiful Hong Kong skyline at night:

 

SATURDAY 3 NOVEMBER

Meet tour guide and go on a ‘Best Culture & Food Tour’ (6 hours). This to include a visit to a tailor so Scott & Jim can order handmade suits / shirts.

Best Culture and Food Tour starts on Hong Kong Island. Take the Peak Tram to the top of Victoria Peak amazing views

Take the Star Ferry across the river to Kowloon walk round the Tsim Sha Tsui area

Tsim Sha Tsui – is a shopping and nightlife district in Kowloon. See casual eateries and eclectic local shops are packed along neon-lit Nathan Road, while luxury malls line nearby Canton Road. The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, on Victoria Harbour, is a popular spot to appreciate Hong Kong’s skyline views. While mainstream concerts and musicals are performed at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Nan Lien Garden & Chi Lin Nunnery tranquil gardens – Maintained with world renowned precision & care, every blade of grass, tree branch and pebble seems to be in perfect position & condition

https://www.nextstophongkong.com/chi-lin-nunnery-and-nan-lian-garden/

Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple a shrine dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, the Great Immortal Wong

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Tai_Sin_Temple_(Hong_Kong)

Waterfront Promenade one of the most breath-taking walks in Hong Kong, offering splendid views of Victoria Harbour and the towering skyline running all along next to it.

Take Star Ferry back to Hong Kong Island. Walk round the Central area – this is Hong Kong’s frenetic business and retail heart, crammed with skyscrapers, swanky malls and luxury hotels

Mid-Level Escalators is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. The system covers over 800 metres (2,600 ft) in distance and elevates over 135 metres (443 ft) from bottom to top. It was constructed in 1993 to provide a better commute by linking areas within the Central and Western District on Hong Kong Island

Stanley street market is a typical example of a traditional old open-air market in Hong Kong and has since become a major tourist attraction, well known for its bargains.

Repulse Bay and beach – an upmarket residential area with a wide, wave-lapped beach

Evening

Dinner at Ho Lee Fook,a very popular restaurant turning out creative Chinese and Asian fusion dishes. Can’t book will have to queue for 30 to 45 minutes.

Night cruise round the harbour on the Aqualuna, From Pier 9, Central

 

SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER

Morning

‘City Heritage bike Tour’ with: Smooth Ride tours

Tour includes visit to: Man Mo Temple, The Temple of a thousand surnames (Kwong Fuk Tong), Instagram Pier (Sai Wan Pier), cycle between Hong Kong’s iconic skyscrapers.

Afternoon

Travel to Macau:

Macau is an autonomous region on the south coast of China, across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong. It was a Portuguese territory until 1999.

As a special administrative region, Macau maintains a separate political and economic system apart from that of mainland China. This arrangement ends on 20 December 2049, when China will take over full control of Macau.

Macau has a rich history; it is one of the first East-meets-West territories in the world. It is a unique assimilation of Portuguese and Chinese influences which have given the city a one-of-a-kind character.

It was first leased to Portugal as a trading post in 1557 by the Ming Dynasty but still under Chinese authority and sovereignty. Portugal took over full control of the Island in 1887 and held onto that until 1999.
Macau comprises a small narrow peninsula projecting from the Chinese mainland province of Guangdong together with two islands the island of Taipa and the island of Coloane.

It is the most highly densely populated country in the world with over 21,000 inhabitants per square kilometre. In England the density is 427 people per square kilometre; in the UK it is 269 people per square kilometre!!

In 2005 these two islands were joined together by an expanse of land that was reclaimed from the sea. This reclaimed land is known as Cotai and it is where most of the casinos are situated.

Macau is the gambling capital of the world and its economy is heavily dependent on gambling and tourism. Its giant casinos and malls have earned it the nickname the “Las Vegas of Asia.”
However Macau is now turning more towards building non-gambling features as a result of China’s slowing economy and its crackdown on corruption which is cutting back the money spent on gambling.
China’s President Xi Jinping in December ordered the city to diversify its economy from gambling, on which it relies for about 80 percent of revenue and the results of this should be seen more in the future.
Mid-afternoon – Catch Cotai Water Jet Ferry to Macua, book into our hotel: Studio City – Studio City is a Hollywood themed casino complex is one of the newest hotels in Macau

It is characterized by its 1930’s art deco exterior and interior – it brings a touch of old school Hollywood glam to Macau.

It sits in the heart of the Cotai Strip, and is home to the: The Golden Reel – This is a huge Ferris wheel embedded into the body of the building. The Ferris wheel known as The Golden Reel is Asia’s highest Ferris wheel and is the world’s first Ferris wheel that travels in a figure 8 shape. Boarding at the 23rd floor the wheel features 17 cabins holding up to 10 people in each cabin. The Macau Gourmet Walk – where local treats like egg tarts and pork chop buns are cooked up in small booths.

Go for something to eat in Studio City at: Joyride – a 1950’s American themed diner, complete with a jukebox, convertibles, burgers, fries and shakes, etc and rock & roll!

OR – At the Cosmos Food Station, a large food court situated within Studio City, on which guest can look out upon space through giant portal windows.

OR – Spotlight – A Buffet with a vast selection of choices with tables overlooking the casino floor

Evening

Walk round hotels and casinos

The Parisian – This casino opened in September 2016, the architecture and décor is all French-themed, from a reception inspired by the Palace of Versailles to crystal chandeliers and Chinoiserie porcelains.

The main feature of The Parisian is a half scale replica of the Eiffel Tower complete with observation decks and a lift to take you to the top for a 360-degree view of Cotai. The tower is open 24hours. An air-conditioned walkway takes guests to its neighbouring sister property, The Venetian

Venetian Macau Resort – This 39-story, $2.4 billion dollar hotel and casino complex is the biggest casino resort in the world, twice as big as the one in Vegas and is the seventh-largest building in the world by floor area. The Venetian Macao is also the largest casino in the world and the largest single structure hotel building in Asia!!

The Venetian offers over 30 restaurants with cuisines from around the world. The Grand Canal has 51 gondolas with serenading gondoliers that ply the waters of the Venetian’s three indoor canals and outdoor lagoon. There are also over 350 brand name retail stores at the Grand Canal Shoppe – nowhere in Asia is there more luxury shops crammed into a single space

City of Dreams Resort & Casino – Opened in 2009, this American style casino resort, is situated directly across from the Venetian Macao. It features a half a million square feet casino, three hotels Grand Hyatt, Hard Rock and Crown Towers, several dozen restaurants, a large shopping mall and several theatres. Check out the 3D projection shows in the Bubble Dome Theatre or the digital mermaids swimming along the walls of the virtual aquarium

Wynn Palace – Opened in August 2016 at a cost of US$4.1 billion. Given Steve Wynn’s fondness for flamboyant artworks you will find million dollar tapestries stapled to the wall and Qing era vases gracing the hotel lobbies. While the designer curves make it one of the most attractive casinos in Macau. An eight-acre man-made lake in front of the hotel which features spectacularly lit and choreographed water shows that run every 15 minutes until midnight. There is also a free cable car ride from the Performance Lake to the hotel.

 

MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER

Morning and afternoon

Meet our tour guide Aubrey Chan in main entrance to the hotel who is taking us on a day tour of Macau visiting:

Penha Church – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwsDtGwEsCg
Our Lady of Penha Church (Capela de Nossa Senhora da Penha) is dedicated to ‘Our Lady of Penha of France’. It was constructed in 1622 for the Augustinians. For many years it has served as a shrine for mariners about to embark on dangerous voyages.

It stands on Penha Hill, overlooking Sai Van Lake. The church offers great views of the Tower and bridges over to Taipa. Built originally for the Augustinians, it remained their property until 1837, when the Augustinians were expelled as a consequence of the liberalism period in Portugal.

It, along with the Bishop’s residence alongside it, was reconstructed in 1837, and almost completely rebuilt again in 1935. A pilgrimage takes place every year on 13th May. This begins at St. Domingo Church, the procession passes through the streets of Macau, ending up at Penha Church. The procession is led by 3 children, dressed as the 3 children who saw the Virgin Mary in Portugal back in 1917

A-Ma-Temple – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=640KyJW_AhE

http://www.china-macau.com/outer-harbour/a-ma-temple.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001

Built in 1488 this is the oldest of Macau’s Chinese temples. This Taoist building was around before the Portuguese colonisation and therefore has a huge historical significance to the island and its initial religious standing prior to the western colonisation.

The goddess A-Ma is also where Macau gets its name from. When the Portuguese landed on a sea promontory 400 years ago it was near this temple. When they asked the locals the name of the land, they (the locals) misunderstood, thinking that the Portuguese were asking for the name of the temple. So they answered ‘Ma Ge’, which was the name of the temple this later distorted into Macau

The temple is made up of six main parts, all containing architectural treasures and guarded by stone lions. The temple commemorates the goddess Mazu, who is said to bless the Macau fishermen. It is a fascinating insight into local culture and beliefs with classical curling joss sticks and poems engraved into the side of the adjacent cliff. Entering the temple you will reach the Hongren Hall via a winding path. This is where you will find a Mazu image. It is believed that the hall has the longest history in the complex.
Senado Square – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHCMR5PGbUM
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/macau/senado-square.htm

Taste the street food available in Senado Square: Golden egg biscuits made from egg yolk, flour, sugar and butter. Perfectly crisp, yet warm and fluffy freshly made waffles. You can choose to drizzle your waffle with huge amounts of condensed milk and peanut butter or have it plain

Senando Square is a paved town square and is part of the UNESCO Historic Centre of Macau World Heritage Site. It is an elongated triangular shaped square and connects Largo do São Domingos at one end and Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro on the other. It covers an area of 3,700 square meters (4,425 square yards).

It was a meeting place for the Chinese and Portuguese in the 16th to 18th centuries. Vast majority of the buildings around the square are European styled and many are protected monuments.

Many large events in Macau were hosted on the square, this include festival celebrations, markets and performances. The governors of Macau also used to inspect their troops there. A number of Hong Kong films in the 1950s and 1960s had scenes shot at the square.

The square was repaved in the 1990s with a wave-patterned mosaic of grey and white stones. The square is surrounded by stores, old pharmacies, sweet stalls, shops, etc. housed in neo-classical Portuguese buildings in the typical pastel shades

Leal Senado (In Senado Square) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5-58A15hj4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leal_Senado_Building

Leal Senado is Portuguese for Loyal Senate, was the seat of Portuguese Macau’s government. This neo classical building is located at one end of the Senado Square. The building which was built in 1784 is Macau’s most important historical building.

The building’s walls are covered in typical Portuguese blue and white tiles and it is permanently full of people. There is a ceremonial meeting room on the first floor from where you get a great view of the square below. This leads into a magnificent library and a small chapel. At the back there is a Portuguese style courtyard with a flower nursery and Cherry Tree

St. Dominic’s Church – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gG2yTuOE14
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/macau/st-domingos-church.htm
http://www.visitourchina.com/macao/attraction/st-dominics-church.html

St. Dominic’s Church – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeU5qkQ8_PE&t=74s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Dominic%27s_Church,_Macau

St. Dominic’s church is situated at one end of Senado Square. This cherry yellow baroque church was founded by three Spanish Dominican priests from Acapulco, Mexico, in the 16th century (1587), though the current structure dates from the 17th century.
The church has three halls. A few arched brick gates separate the nave with side halls and the main altar. The ceiling is carved with Spanish crowns. The main hall is resplendent with coloured glasses. The statue of ”The Virgin and Child” is placed on the altar and two statues of Christ nearby.

A multitude of intriguing oil paintings and statues can be found in the church, including the outstanding statue of Jesus Christ. It was here, in 1822, that the first Portuguese newspaper was published on Chinese soil. Climb up the bell tower to see a small museum housing Sacred Art and to see the old church bells.

Lou Kau Mansion – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpg2JvRpnA0
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/macau/lou-kau-mansion.htm

Lou Kau Mansion is a beautiful authentic two storey Cantonese style mansion built with Portuguese decoration and built in the traditional grey brick courtyard style. Lou Kau Mansion was built in 1885 and belonged to Lou Kau, a Chinese merchant. Entering the house it’s like stepping back in time. Inside you can still see some of the original or replica furniture of the time. It has three courtyards. On the desk at the entrance is a memorial stamp and sheets of paper. You can stamp a mark on a piece of paper, and take it back home as a souvenir

Ruins of St. Paul – On the way to the Ruins of St Paul visit:

Koe Kei Bakery to taste their almond biscuits and meat jerky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLBd89ZpqcE

McPherson’s Sweet Shop to enjoy the Durian Ice cream and milkshakes.

Ruins of St Paul – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jz7xsxlLaw
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/macau/ruins.htm
http://www.visitourchina.com/macao/attraction/ruins-of-st-paul.html

This is the most famous landmark in Macau and the main piece of Macau’s 21 UNESCO listed buildings.

St Paul’s is the remains of a Jesuit church built out of granite between 1602 and 1640. It was one of the largest Catholic churches in Asia at the time. It was burnt down when struck by lightning during a typhoon in 1835.

The only part that remain is the crypt and the main facade which has withstood the passing of time. The façade sits on a small hill, with 68 stone steps leading up to it.

The ruins consist of the southern stone façade—intricately carved between 1620 and 1627 by Japanese Christians in exile from their homeland and local craftsmen under the direction of Italian Jesuit Carlo Spinola. The carvings include Jesuit images with Oriental themes, such as The Blessed Virgin Mary stepping on a seven-headed hydra, described in Chinese characters as ‘Holy Mother tramples the heads of the dragon’. A few of the other carvings are of the founders of the Jesuit Order, the conquest of Death by Jesus, and at the very top, a dove with wings outstretched.

Some steel steps and a vertigo-inducing podium have been constructed at the back, so you can climb up to admire the views of Macau all around

Rua do Cunha, Old Taipa Village – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej9Lau4LQDk

Lunch – Sample the street food in Rua do Cunha: Pork Chop Bun – a grilled pork chop marinated lightly with garlic and ginger served in a fresh white bun. Curry Fish Balls – These are fish balls that have been boiled or fried and served in curry sauce. Macau Egg Tart from Lord Stow’s Bakery – this egg tart is a cross between the famous Pastel De Nata in Portugal and an English custard tart. Wash it all down with fresh sugar cane juice

Old Taipa Village – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2s80wfSjEY

This is the historical part of Taipa. It is an intricate warren of alleys hold traditional Chinese shops and some excellent restaurants. While the broader main roads are punctuated by colonial villas, churches and temples take a stroll down its historical centre, Rua do Cunha. This is lined with vendors hawking free samples of Macanese almond cookies and sweet beef jerky and tiny cafes selling egg tarts and serradura pudding.

Highlights in the area are:

Taipa House Museum, Avenida da Praia – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxCJu4T_6FU

This building is a prime example of the Portuguese architecture that has influenced much of Taipa Village. Built in 1921, the distinctive green and white house once served as a residence for the Portuguese governor and other high-level civil servants and their families. Today, it has been converted into a museum complex displaying various artefacts and exhibits that commemorate life during Macau’s colonial period

Our Lady of Carmo Church – This is located on elevated ground next door to the Taipa Houses Museum, it is the only Catholic Church in Taipa. Built in 1885, it still operates today and is a distinctive neoclassical structure with its exterior painted in pastel shades of yellow. In recent years, it’s become a popular backdrop for wedding photos. The church and its grounds are an ideal spot to come for a place to relax, with nice views overlooking the Taipa Houses Musuem and the nearby lake.

Evening

Catch ferry back to Hong Kong Island and our apartment.

 

TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER

Morning and Afternoon

Six hours “New Territories Excursion Tour”



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Territories

This tour takes you into the places where most tours don’t. It is for adventurers who are eager to see the REAL Hong Kong. We will take you away from the urban area and have a fun day seeing the most local version of Hong Kong. We will be seeing the residential areas in Hong Kong which are away from the tourist spots. See some of the oldest public housing estates in Hong Kong, small fishing villages and real local wet markets.

The New Territories is a region of wetlands, parks and mountains in Hong Kong, north of Kowloon. It also encompasses outlying islands, including Lantau Island in the southwest, home to Hong Kong Disneyland theme park. Also on Lantau is Tian Tan Buddha, a giant bronze statue overlooking the gardens and restaurant of Po Lin Monastery. East is car-free Lamma Island, known for its laid-back beaches.

Evening

Catch the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui ferry terminal, Kowloon and have dinner at: Spring Deer, 2/f, 42 Moody Road, Tsim Shai Tsui , an excellent Peking Duck

 

WEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER

Day & afternoon

• 9.30am – Leave apartment
• Travel to Tai Po Market MTR on the Metro (50 minutes)
• 11am to 3pm – “Plover Cove bike, hiking, waterfall, swimming adventure”

http://www.wildhongkong.com/plover-cove-cycle-and-hike.html

Evening

Go to Ce La Vi which is situated on the top 3 penthouse floors of the California Tower. The Top Floor is a rooftop bar with outdoor Jacuzzi. The Floor below is a Club lounge with DJ and the third floor is a very nice restaurant.

Have pre dinner drinks in the Ce La Vi rooftop Bar before going down to eat in the restaurant.

 

THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER

Morning and afternoon

Free day for packing, shopping, Jim & Scott collect our suits

Have a Dim Sum brunch at: Tim Ho Wan, Hong Kong Airport Express Station, Shop 12A
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dim_sum

http://www.tinyurbankitchen.com/tim-ho-wan-hong-kong/

Tim Ho Wan is the world’s cheapest Michelin Star restaurant. It is a very small, simple and unimpressive looking restaurant. But it is hugely popular and gets very crowded. Sit on communal tables, people squeezed very close together elbow to elbow.

Have to queue 30 to 45 minutes. As queue up given a form to pick what you want and how many of each item, as soon as you are seated staff takes this. Food arrives within 5 minutes.

Try the Big Four Heavenly Kings: BBQ pork buns 3 or 4 per order, Steamed Rice Roll with Barley and Pigs Liver, Pan Fried Turnip Cake, Steamed Egg Cake. The liver is quite strong so alternative is Steamed Rice Rolls with Shrimp and Chive.

Other dishes we could try: Steamed Fresh Shrimp Dumplings, Deep Fried Spring Roll with Shrimp and corn, but don’t order more than 6 dishes between the three of us.

When you have finished your meal you take the form to the cashier and pay. No sitting and letting your meal go down; you have to leave as soon as you are finished so they can get more people in. So we will probably queue for as long as we are seated!!

Evening

5.00pm picked up by car & driver taken to Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport . BA don’t have a First Class Lounge so use the Cathay Pacific Lounge.

Flight back to the UK BA0032 departs at 11:30pm, flight time 13 hours 15 minutes. We arrive at London Heathrow at 4.45am on the Friday!! Have Limo booked to take us into London and then catch the train home. Arrive at home sweet home around 10.30am.