This week, we’ll look at Hong Kong, my top ten destination of all time. Hong Kong bustles 24/7! And no matter what time of day it is, Hong Kongers or Hong Kis (as i always call them) are always out and about, engaging in the city’s favorite pastimes of shopping and eating! The best thing to do in Hong Kong is to allow yourself to get lost and discover its hidden sidewalk treasures for yourself and, most importantly, to soak up as much as you can of the Hong Kong way of life.

Highlights:
Victoria Peak: Victoria Peak is Hong Kong’s premier visitor attraction, providing magnificent harbour and city views. Arriving late afternoon enables you to experience the dazzling panorama of Hong Kong Island, the harbour, Kowloon and the hills beyond. Later, you can thrill to the neon-dotted skyline by night.

Repulse Bay: The colonial-style, The Repulse Bay, houses designer shops and award-winning restaurants and resembles the luxury hotel that originally occupied the site. This is the ideal place for a romantic dinner under the stars.

Ocean Park: Ocean Park is one of Southeast Asia’s largest oceanariums and theme parks, and tops the itinerary of many visitors to Hong Kong. You’ll need a whole day to see everything. There are funfair rides and dolphin shows, scenic cable cars and sea lions, magnificent shopping, and the two beloved giant pandas Ann Ann and Jia Jia.

Hong Kong Disneyland: This entertainment park invites you into the legendary fairytale kingdom that celebrates the spirit of fantasy. Mickey Mouse will welcome you to the happiest place on Earth complete with attractions exclusively designed for Hong Kong

Open-Air Markets: Hong Kong’s most famous open-air markets open around 2:00pm but really comes to life at dusk, with a bustling array of stalls selling everything from watches and leatherware to clothing and souvenirs. My recommendations for you enthusiastic shoppers; The Ladies’ Market, Temple Street Night Market, Jade Market, Stanley Market.

Aberdeen: Aberdeen Harbour is home to hundreds of people living on fishing junks. Their traditional lifestyle is dramatically juxtaposed against a modern high-rise community that spreads up thr nearby hillsides. To get a close-up look at the Aberdeen way of life, many visitors take a sampan ride.

Shopping: Dubbed as one of the best places to shop in the world, dont leave Hong Kong until you shop til you drop at Mong Kok, Jordan Road, CauseWay Bay and Central. It’s a must for all the shoppers.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
Octopus Card: First thing to do if you’re going to use public transport is to buy an Octopus Card. They come with pre-paid travel on them and can be electronically added to at top-up machines. At the end of your journey, you can cash any unused credits and recover the card’s deposit. Some journeys are discounted when you travel on Octopus, and they’re useable for trains, ferries, some buses, and admission to the racetrack.

ATM: No problems in Hong Kong cashing money – the ATM’s took my debit card with no problem, and most places take credit cards.

Street Touts: Avoid the street touts who’ll regularly try to entice you to their warehouse for Rolex watches, tobacco, or suit fittings. After a time, you’ll spot them a mile off and can maneuver your way round them.

Rules: Remember to obey the pedestrian crossings – jaywalking can incur a heavy on-the-spot fine, along with eating or drinking on the subway.

Best Way to Get Around:
Train: In Hong Kong, you are spoilt for choice with means of transport. Hong Kong has a great and easy transport system, and i extensively used the train. It’s fast, efficient, and frequent, and i didn’t think it was expensive.

Taxis: For short journeys or ones that require changes of train, i generally opted for taxis.

Bus: There is a regular bus service, and although these are cheap, they are less immediate than cabs, and with four persons, the price differential was not great.

Star Ferry: The Star ferry is an excellent way to get across to Hong Kong island – much slower than the train, but much more picturesque.

Tram: On Hong Kong Island, pick up the tram – there is only one route with a single fare no matter how far you travel. It’s a tourist thing to do!

Accommodation:
Wang Fat Hostel: Hotels in Hong Kong are generally expensive. If you’re looking for a place which is cheap, highly convenient, friendly, and comfortable, look no further. This hostel has the best deal in Hong Kong. Don’t believe me?? This hostel has been awarded the “Best Hostel” in Hong Kong by travelling guide, Lonely Planet. You can see the certificate hanging on the wall as you enter the hostel. Their website is http://www.wangfathostel.com.hk

Good Day Mate! Sydney has seemingly surpassed Melbourne as the showcase city of Australia (although there may be plenty of arguments against such a statement from pro-Melbourne folks). Sydney used to be my second home back in those days when i was a university student. I got sick and tired of the city and eventually decided to leave soon after finishing my studies.

Highlights:
Sydney Opera House: Although it has become something of a cliche, the opera house is a magnificant Australian icon. It is a must-see for any first-time visitor to Sydney. In fact, it should be seen from all directions - from the Botantic gardens, up-close, and from a slow ferry to Manly to appreciate its beauty.

Weekend Markets: If you are tired of seeing the same overpriced, overhyped commercial goods in the shops, weekend shopping in the markets will be enjoyable. Even if you don’t buy anything, it is fun watching the craftperson at work, chatting with them, or rummaging through trunks of vintage treasures.

Ferry ride: Ferry rides are fun and offer some of the best sights in Sydney. Take a ferry ride to Manly or any coastal area and sit on deck with a camera and just snap away at the beautiful sights (especially in the evenings).

Coastal walks (Bondi to Bronte): Get out of urban Sydney and to the beaches. Even if you don’t swim or sunbathe, a walk along the rugged coast will offer you breathtaking sights and good exercise.

Taronga Zoo: A very good zoo, not necessarily great. But it’s location makes it one of the best ways to spend a morning or an afternoon in Sydney. Home to the famous Crocodile Hunter himself, Mr. Steve Irwin.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
If you have not taken a map of Sydney and circled about fifty things you want to see yet, stop by one of the Tourist Information centers and get some free maps and brochures. Circle away, as there is plenty to do in Sydney.

Sydney is visually impressive, so take your time and enjoy that. If you’re souvenir shopping keep in mind that Sydney is often one of the most expensive places to buy anything in Australia. So if you can get the same thing somewhere else, do. Unless of course you know where to look.

Best Way to Get Around:
Public transport works very well in Sydney and is one of the best in the world.

Train: The train network out to the suburbs is extensive, and there are stations near all of the major sights.

Bus: The bus network is very good, and you may find yourself taking it if you’re going to any of the city beaches, but buses are just as susceptible to traffic congestion as cars are.

Ferries: Ferries aren’t and are a wonderful way to get around.