Hong Kong

[bra1nchild]

We have 2 days [more or less] in Hong Kong as part of the HAL Amsterdam's Grand Voyage in September. We've done a ship's tour [Aberdeen, Victoria, Repulse Bay, Jumbo Seafood for dinner] and are looking for other things to do. Should we hire a guide? Does anyone have any names? Or should we wing it?

 

The ship will be close to the Kowloon Star Ferry terminal. Is it easy to get taxis on the HK side? Can taxi drivers be trusted to give a tour of HK?

 

 

 

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[sultan_sfo]

Public Transit is the way to go. The Metro Station is 2 blocks from the Kowloon Terminal and is much faster than taxi -- you can go over to HK and to all the cheap open air markets in Kowloon using the Metro. One can buy a Day Pass. Just buy a guide book for HK / Kowloon. We enjoyed seeing the "Escalator" in HK -- Travel Channel had highlighted it. And the Star Ferry is worth taking. Have you seen the old old movie "The World of Suzie Wong"? I suppose you did the Peak Tram and a Harbor View on the small boat. My comments are based on our land tour in Sep 2007 when we spent 4 days in Kowloon.

 

 

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Should we hire a guide? Does anyone have any names? Or should we wing it?

 

The ship will be close to the Kowloon Star Ferry terminal. Is it easy to get taxis on the HK side? Can taxi drivers be trusted to give a tour of HK?

 

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[ab0si]

Yes, I agree. Public transportation is easy and reliable in Hong Kong. While there is nothing wrong with hiring a guide, of course, it is hardly necessary.

 

Plenty of taxis available and generally honest.

 

Paul

[coxswain]

Hope this helps - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=736786

 

 

 

 

jj......

[greatam]

And if nothing else, you can take the ferry to Macau (new casinos that are very Vegas like) or even to Shenzhen (if you have a Chinese visa). The nightly fireworks on Macau are spectacular.

[rkacruiser]

An interesting and inexpensive sightseeing tour is to get on one of the trams that run along HK Island and ride to the end of the line; do some exploring; hop back on and ride back to where you began or beyond.

 

Be sure to have HK coins for the fare.

[PaulaJK]

After covering the basic sights which you are accomplishing via your tour, HongKong is very much a 'being there' city. Whether you choose shopping, dining, or secondary sights such as the bird market, you will enjoy walking the streets. Taxis are easy to find and safe. I recommend at least one transit from the Kowloon to HK islands via the Star Ferry..it's still a lovely way to see the harbour. While Jumbo is very touristic, there are numerous excellent dining venues no matter what your budget. Be sure to visit Victoria Peak.

 

For Hue, we arrived at a port/dock quite distant from the town itself. The name of the port escapes me but it required a significant ride to Hue. The town is charming..and it is possible to take lunch at a terraced restaurant overlooking the river. We also enjoyed a visit to the local market.We had hired a guide and found it a very interesting trip.

 

We were in Saigon on a Voyager cruise & were docked close enough that the ship supplied a shuttle bus into the city.

[aussi cruiser]

Why not try the new Ngong Ping 360 cable car to the giant buddha on lantua. It leaves from Tung Chuna all the way to the giant buddha Fantastic view and easy to get via public transport. http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/front/index.asp

 

Maybe if you have time a trip to the Chinese border via train or perhaps stanley market.

Hong is very easy to get around and very friendly we will be there in Jan 2009 for 3 weeks cant wait:D

[coxswain]

giant buddha on lantua is a brilliant but why not take the trail back down !!

 

 

 

 

 

jj....

[dxh304]

And if nothing else, you can take the ferry to Macau (new casinos that are very Vegas like) or even to Shenzhen (if you have a Chinese visa). The nightly fireworks on Macau are spectacular.

 

How long is the ferry to Macau? I heard this is the Vegas of the East and something else to see . . .

[coxswain]

About an 1hr - pay the extra small fee for 1st class - better seats and a breakfast !!

 

 

 

 

 

jj...