Bites of Asia Series: the razzle dazzle of Hong Kong : Tiny Bites

Bites of Asia Series: the razzle dazzle of Hong Kong

Leave a Comment Karen HamiltonJanuary 14, 2009

This post is part of the Bites of Asia series – a set of posts I wrote in December 2008 before we left for 27 days of exploring the Philippines, Macau, and Hong Kong. If you’d like updates of our trip as it happens in real time, subscribe to my Twitter feed or better yet, follow me on Twitter.

By now, Kurt and I should have hopped on the jetfoil from Macau to Hong Kong. As much as I missed the Philippines and the family that I have there, this is the place that I had been looking forward to all trip.

I’ve already shared my favourite Hong Kong eateries when I wrote about it a few months ago, so I’ll keep this post focussed more along the non-food stops we have planned.

Happy Valley Racetrack

As if we had never spent a dime in speculation all trip, first stop is likely Kurt’s pick: betting on the horsies at Hong Kong’s fabled racetrack.

floodlit track, originally uploaded by mikesten.

Victoria Peak

Colleagues took me up to Victoria Peak last year on a clear and breezy August evening. I’d like to do the same for Kurt (though he may have to hold my hand as we climb and descend the 7 stories of terrifying floating escalators).

Monkey Mountain

Hoping to reconnect with old friends with a Saturday hike up “Monkey Mountain”: a place in the New Territories famed for the horde of primates that distract you in your ascent.

Monkey Mountain, originally uploaded by pnoeric.

Lantau Island and Disneyland Hong Kong

My idea: seeing the temples and giant Buddha on Lantau Island.

Originally uploaded by moonsheep.

His idea: visiting the ho-hum Disneyland Hong Kong on Lantau in an effort to visit all the Disney theme parks in the world (only one remaining on the list will be Disneyland Tokyo).

Disney in the Stars, originally uploaded by bredgur.

Shopping, shopping, shopping

My idea entirely. I may pick up an extra suitcase just for the flight home =)

More food exploration

If time and budget allows, I really would love to splurge at a private kitchen or Michelin-starred restaurant. My first trip had me wanting to check out Spoon, but reviews haven’t been so enthusiastic lately. We have yet to choose where to alight for some Asian fine dining; I’ll have to tell you how it goes down via live updates from Twitter or via blog upon our return. Rick Green of BC Brews, who had passed on great tips for eating in Macau, also had some thoughts to share about Hong Kong dining:

Not a big fan of Chinese interpretations of Western food in Hong Kong. Looking for something French-wise, I would recommend Indochine 1929 in Lan Kwai Fong (California Building) if it’s still as good as it was in 2000. A really great restaurant was Zahra @ 409 Jaffe Road, Wanchai — Lebanese. Apparently, it is closed now . I haven’t found Lebanese in Vancouver quite as good, although Kayan in the old Tojo’s on Broadway is worth a visit.