karenvirginia

flying in on a monday evening 8pm, then have to be back at the airport about 10pm the next evening.
never been to hong kong and don't want to waste it, ideas on easy to get to hotel, best market? shopping? bar?
we like to see a bit of local culture (not scary)
this is beginning of august btw, managed to book a trip to england a few days ago, though seats were being snapped up as we were looking. hope it will work out, we are flying cathay pacific brisbane to hong kong, then the next flight is with oasis air to gatwick. the prices with them are amazing, just hope it all works out ok. tried to get as much info about the airline, only been around a year, nothing which has put us off. though we went online to book seats, $800 each for an emergency exit seat to book in advance. will leave it till nearer the day, you can check in 72 hours before. going into gatwick would not be our choice but thats all there is, so we will pick up a hire car and drive up to birmingham. the train, tube and bus connections were just a nightmare to get my head around!
our return trip arrives in hong kong at about 4pm on a thursday and we leave for the airport the next day around 8pm.
thanks for any advice, karen

spalen

Ladies Market is the best - its open late. No ladies for sale just clothes/toys/jewellery/elecronics its in the middle of a big shopping district too for normal shops which are open until about 10/11pm.

Failing that the 'Night Market' which isnt really a nght market. Both open until midnight. Landing at 8pm you'll be in your hotel by 930 - then jump straight on the MTR to the market dont hang about cos it'll take you 2hrs at least to walk round and buy junk. Plenty of food there like mcd's / snack bars/ etc. From the airport get the train - its much faster than a taxi and tons cheaper it only stops in 3 places so you are not gonna get lost. Ask your hotel which one to get off - then you get a cab to your hotel from the train station.

Google for them - you'll find plenty of instructions/maps to get there.
Get the MTR [underground] all instructions are in english, you will be very safe [1000 times safer than london] and its quick.

Prepare yourself for the 'copy rolex' 'copy watch' assault -any westerner gets this.

Whatever the price is - offer 25% - if it goes above 50% walk away and see if they follow you - to sell it to you.

during the day - go on the ferry across HK harbour from tai koo shing. On your return trip you'll be able to see the nightly light show where all the skyscrapers light up which is pretty cool.

shopping in normal shops is expensive, markets are cheap as chips, just watch the quality of what you are buying.

In HK airport - there is a TGI friday type bar just through passport control on the same level and to the right - its the best western food in airport its above the giordano shop. Failing that there are plenty of fast-food outlets etc

karenvirginia

thanks so much, plenty of food for thought....