Recs for Macau and Hong Kong

[Deleted]

I just found out I'm going to Macau for 6 days for work next month and I'm going to add on 3-4 days in Hong Kong.

I'll be by myself and I don't speak Chinese at all.

Any recommendations for things to eat or things not to miss?

Thanks!

[rupertpenny]

Don't worry about Chinese! Everyone speaks English. Every once in a while you might get a cab driver that doesn't, but they still know most destinations.

I'll add my food recs in a little while. Let me know what you like and also if you are interested in anything in particular like shopping or outdoor stuff or something like that.

[Deleted]

Oct 7, 2015 18:49:04 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

Don't worry about Chinese! Everyone speaks English. Every once in a while you might get a cab driver that doesn't, but they still know most destinations.

I'll add my food recs in a little while. Let me know what you like and also if you are interested in anything in particular like shopping or outdoor stuff or something like that.

Awesome! Thanks! I was hoping you would respond.

I would love shopping recs, food recs, temples, whatever.

I'm not sure the outdoors stuff will work out since it'll be November though.

[origami]

Here's my thread from a few weeks ago about those areas:

pandce.proboards.com/thread/474675/hong-kong-macau-recs

In Macau I liked the historic city centre area. It's not large. You can walk the whole thing in an hour if you want to. Taipa village was even smaller but had some cute restaurants. I liked going there more than eating at the hotels since that felt like Vegas instead of a foreign country.

In HK our favs were the peak tram, Mong kok/TST markets & shopping, and the symphony of lights boat cruise in the harbor. (Much more enjoyable to lay around and drink than stand on a crowded promenade.) We did Aqua Luna's cruise (2nd floor of their boat has the chairs you can lay on) but there is another all you can drink cruise that I probably would have done if my kids weren't with me.

[rupertpenny]

origami I'm jealous you went on the Aqua Luna! I've always wanted to do that but haven't made it yet.

@uwhuskygirl, most of my standard recs are in Origami's thread, but that was mostly kid friendly stuff.

If you are at all into luxury or designer stuff you should go to the Horizon Plaza outlets. It is a gold mine, especially the Lane Crawford outlet. You can take a bus here, but I'd recommend a taxi www.sassymamahk.com/top-7-outlet-shopping-in-ap-lei-chau/

PMQ in Sheung Wan is a great place for boutique shopping. Goods of Desire is my favorite place for non-cheesy HK souvenirs.

My favorite HK based clothing brand is Grana, they do really nice but inexpensive basics. Their silk stuff in particular is wonderful. They are technically online only but they have a "fitting room" on Hollywood Road, about a block west of PMQ, where you can go look at stuff and try it on. I knonw they ship to the UK and shipping is very reasonable.

As for outdoor type stuff, the best weather in Hong Kong happens in November! It isn't super hot anymore, usually high 70s, but still sunny. Hiking is big here, and hiking to the Peak is actually pretty easy. Another popular hike on the Island is the Dragon's Back. There is also a very active hiking meetup group, they have at least one scheduled every day. It will probably still be warm enough to go to the beach as well. Beaches here aren't awesome, but hey, it's the beach.

There are lots of great bars in Hong Kong. If you enjoy cocktails I'd recommend The Woods (I haven't been but it is supposed to be great), Quinary, Back Bar (kind of hidden behind a restaurant called Ham and Sherry), and Ping Pong Ginoteria.

I haven't spent a lot of time in Macao, but I really enjoyed Fernando's.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

[rupertpenny]

This just came up in by reader: intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2015/10/07/where-to-find-traditional-eats-in-modern-macau/