Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Far East and Asia > China/Hong Kong
Reload this Page >

Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

Old Aug 29th 2009, 7:57 am
  #1  
Account Closed
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 723
crystal23 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

Hi

Anyone got any thoughts on which would be more interesting for 3 days especially with a 12 year old. I've been to Hong Kong before and loved it but that was years ago and obviously it will have changed beyond belief since then but my family haven't been there. I can really only remember Victoria Peak and the Star Ferry as attractions (apart from the shopping and 3 days in China when I was there before)

None of us have been to Singapore.

I've done some research on hotels and it's looking like the Intercon whichever place we go to and I've also checked out the weather.

I'll be grateful for any local info, good, bad or indifferent

Many thanks
crystal23 is offline  
Old Aug 29th 2009, 8:22 am
  #2  
...............
 
bakedbean's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Far North Queensland
Posts: 17,625
bakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

Singapore is a great place, plenty to see and do. You might want to take a look through the Singapore sub-forum on here.
bakedbean is offline  
Old Aug 29th 2009, 8:46 am
  #3  
Account Closed
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 723
crystal23 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

Thanks Bakedbean. I didn't even see the subforum. Blonde moment alert

I'll read through it later. Cheers
crystal23 is offline  
Old Aug 29th 2009, 2:03 pm
  #4  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
ex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

We've lived and worked in both and now retired in Singapore.

HK without doubt for 3 days.
ex reg is offline  
Old Aug 30th 2009, 12:29 am
  #5  
Auntie Fa
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Kooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

I'd say you can happily waste 3 days in either, but they have very different vibes. I find HK to be more "foreign" but then I haven't lived there.

Singapore is very small and easy to get around. Check out the link in my sig for some suggestions of things to do; also there are always threads going in the Oz forum about stopovers.

(I'll be in Singapore again in a couple of weeks, ex-reg. Tell No Signboard to get my crab ready. )
Kooky. is offline  
Old Aug 30th 2009, 5:25 am
  #6  
.
 
fraser's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,374
fraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

Hk or Singapore, HK all day long. Singapore just isn't as Asian as HK.

I do like Singapore but HK is just so much more buzz.
fraser is offline  
Old Aug 30th 2009, 8:34 am
  #7  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
ex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

One thing on the weather in HK.
Between now and end of January, iirc, used to be the best weather, clear blue skies and not too swealtering.

But maybe now the fog/smog/haze thingy has a bearing.
ex reg is offline  
Old Aug 30th 2009, 12:00 pm
  #8  
Account Closed
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 723
crystal23 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

Thanks everyone. Good tip about the weather in HK ex reg.

I've spent a couple of hours reading old threads on Singapore and Seasider's info today. I didn't realise there was so much to do there. I haven't even started on Hong Kong info but I have to agree with the fact that there is such a buzz in HK.

I do have one stupid question

Are you expected to tip in Singapore/HK (taxis, restaurants) and if so how much? I cannot remember tipping n HK before. I probably did but really can't recall.

Thanks
crystal23 is offline  
Old Aug 30th 2009, 12:02 pm
  #9  
Auntie Fa
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Kooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

Definitely not expected in Singapore, but I always tip for good service and round up the fare in a taxi if by some miracle I didn't feel I was about to die at least once during the journey.

I do the same in HK (anywhere) too so not sure what is the norm there.
Kooky. is offline  
Old Aug 30th 2009, 12:52 pm
  #10  
MODERATOR
 
penguinsix's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,213
penguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

I think the best way to answer is by asking which place will you likely pass through again in your lifetime? Do you foresee additional trips or layovers in either city in the next 5-10 years or so?

My choice would be HK but I am a bit biased and haven't spent much time in Singapore. I think there is just a bit more to see and do in HK, especially if the weather is nice (as it will be for the next few).
penguinsix is offline  
Old Aug 30th 2009, 2:29 pm
  #11  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
ex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

And finally.

Are you planning a stopover or just a quick visit.
And where are you travelling from to get there in the first place.
If from UK then as I've mentioned on here before jet lag always restricts me for, well in my case, a week.
I know some people it just doesn't seem to effect.
Take my sister in law, she never gets jet lagged just feels awful and keeps waking up at 2-30am for no reason and can't get back to sleep.

I didn't follow up on the 'take my sister in law' joke. But I wish someone would.
ex reg is offline  
Old Aug 30th 2009, 10:09 pm
  #12  
Auntie Fa
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Kooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

Agree on the jetlag - I have heard said it takes a day for every hour and, in my case, that's about right. I've done many thousands of miles over the years and it never gets any easier. (I also can't take melatonin as I have an autoimmune disease.)

Another good reason for a 2-3 day stopover if you're doing a long trip, IMO. Breaks up the jetlag a bit as well as the journey.
Kooky. is offline  
Old Aug 30th 2009, 10:16 pm
  #13  
.
 
fraser's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,374
fraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond reputefraser has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

We stayed in HK for a week recently and still didn't do everything. I think I would be bored after a week in Singapore.
fraser is offline  
Old Aug 30th 2009, 10:30 pm
  #14  
Auntie Fa
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Kooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond reputeKooky. has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

Originally Posted by fraser
We stayed in HK for a week recently and still didn't do everything. I think I would be bored after a week in Singapore.
Agree with you to some extent, fraser, although sometimes you just have to know where to look, get off the beaten (tourist) path. Also depends on your interests - there are tons of museums, heritage centres, etc., in Sg, some of which I never got round to visiting.

(I just talk more about Singapore because I've only spent a total of 3 weeks in Hong Kong, and most of that in 1997.)
Kooky. is offline  
Old Aug 31st 2009, 3:36 am
  #15  
Account Closed
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 723
crystal23 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Hong Kong or Singapore for 3 days

Hi everyone.

Wow you guys are great on this forum Thanks alot.

We've decided to go to Singapore for the 3 days. That's if we apparently survive the taxi rides

The main reason is that I've checked out stuff to do in Hong Kong and there is just too much to fit in in 3 days whereas Singapore looks to be a more compact city.

Penguin6 made a good point. Would I be travelling to either place again? The answer is probably not to Singapore again but having seen what is on offer in HK we will do a separate trip there another time.

We will be flying from Perth to Singapore so no jet lag and then on to the UK (jet lag no doubt).

I do have a couple of other questions. Is it best to go to Newtown Circus early or late evening or doesn't it matter and regarding the Zoo/Night Safari. Are they so different it's worth going to both or are they much the same just one is at night?

Thanks again for your all your advice. Much appreciated

Last edited by crystal23; Aug 31st 2009 at 3:39 am. Reason: Appalling grammar and it's still not right but hey.....LOL
crystal23 is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.