Honey’s Heading to Hong Kong
Fun fact: I grew up watching Bruce Lee films. I devoured every movie, developing a giant dim sum-sized crush on the charismatic martial artist actor. The fast-paced, neon sign-lit Hong Kong, a backdrop in many of the exciting kung fu scenes. The streets pulsated with an untamed energy. The women were gorgeous, trays of suckling pig glistened, colours seemed to emanate much more vibrant hues.
It couldn’t be further away than suburban Sydney in the 1980s.
I promised myself that one day, I’d visit Hong Kong and discover all its mysteries and immerse myself in the exciting liveliness of this captivating region.
A chance meeting a few months ago reignited my fascination of visiting Hong Kong. With all my travels, I still hadn’t been there yet, can I manifest a trip of such exciting prospects?
So, I put my thinking cap on and thought, “How can I combine a trip to Hong Kong with my favourite way to travel?”
Ah-ha! Why don’t I fly to Hong Kong, spend a few days exploring, visiting temples, eating, shopping, eating (more) then jump on a cruise and visit other parts of Asia? It seemed like the perfect solution.
Luckily for me, the brilliant team at Hong Kong Tourism Board also thought this was a great idea and a perfect opportunity to showcase Hong Kong as a pre (or post) cruise destination.
Let’s show Aussies what they’ll miss out on if they don’t come to Hong Kong.
There was one other hurdle. I had to find the perfect cruise partner, and the best itinerary to make the most of the trip and to show you, my loyal readers, a part of the world that:
a) was closer to Australia than Europe
b) had new ports, new countries I’d never visited.
Scouring Asian cruises, there were many that appealed to me. But there was one that I kept going back to, one that was not only on one of my favourite ships but also an itinerary what was bursting with culture, beaches and interesting ports.
Scouring Asian cruises, there were many that appealed to me. But there was one that I kept going back to, one that was not only on one of my favourite ships but also an itinerary what was bursting with culture, beaches and interesting ports.
The ship had to appeal to a wide audience, be affordable and offer a fabulous on-board experience. The decision was made, and with the help of the marketing teams in Australia, I was booked onboard Norwegian Spirit’s 12-day cruise from Hong Kong To Taipei: visiting the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan. Oh my giddy aunt!
An itinerary of epic proportions
As departure day approached, Hong Kong Tourism Board put together a packed itinerary to showcase to Australian cruisers all Hong Kong has to offer. Four days seemed like the perfect amount of time. Let the adventure begin!
Hong Kong: Cuisine, culture and city skyline
As I packed for my upcoming adventure, I couldn’t stop twirling a word around my brain: metropolis. Whenever I thought about Hong Kong, my mind’s eye would picture towering skyscrapers, a true, modern metropolis. I couldn’t wait to land in a brand-new destination and explore.I was doubly excited as my youngest – and recent high school graduate – was accompanying me. Her only request was: “Lots and LOTS of lot of Dim Sum please mum.” She gets her foodie genes from me.
As the hours ticked by and my evening flight approached, I had not an iota of nerves. Travel planning can sometimes be tricky, especially for long-haul flights. My plane-prep was second-nature by now, but, as I packed my carry-on for my flight to Hong Kong, I realised I only needed half of my usual flying essentials (two changes of clothing, compression socks, magnesium tablets, lots of distractions) as this would be a comparatively short flight compared to a 24-hour journey to Europe. I felt the carry-on kilos melt away.
To be honest, I was looking to boarding this night flight, sleeping the whole way and waking up at my destination refreshed.
Here's a Honey Tip: There are a few ways to get to Hong Kong from Australia. The most direct route is on Cathy Pacific (about 8 hours from Sydney) OR you can fly cheaper and choose other airlines with a stop in Malaysia, mainland China or Indonesia. My flights would be taking me Kuala Lumpur (8 hours) with a short layover before a second flight (4 hours) to Hong Kong on Malaysian Airlines. This saved me about $700 per ticket. FYI: Australians do not need a visa to enter Hong Kong making it even easier to travel.
East meets West in a clay melting pot
Other than the education I received by Bruce Lee, the extent of my knowledge of Hong Kong was really limited. I knew it was a former British colony, so I was expecting a real East Meets West melange of architecture, history and cuisine.
I also knew that Hong Kong boasted some incredible natural wonders such as Lantau Island, Repulse Bay and of course Victoria Harbour. I love the outdoors, and I was looking forward to seeing the contrast of urban city and the natural environment.
I’ve packed my stretchy pants ready for Hong Kong
As the plane rose steeply into inky sky, I watched Sydney disappear from my window seat with bubbles of excitement in my stomach. It was the thrill of knowing that the next four days in Hong Kong were going to be full of adventure.
My itinerary left little room for sleeping in or lounging by a hotel pool, but that’s not what I was going to Hong Kong for. I was going to eat (three pairs of very stretchy pants were packed) and shop and walk and take public transport and immerse myself into the hustle and bustle of a foreign land.
Having cruised so much over the years, I am not usually afforded the luxury of really exploring the departure (or arrival) port. At most, I get a night in city before cruising. This time it was going to be different; four FULL days to showcase Australian cruisers all the delights of Hong Kong. I was ready, but was Hong Kong ready for Honey?
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