Travelling to HK: What to do?

[pphilipko]

Well, I'll be travelling to Hong Kong for three days from October 15 to 17 for some business transactions. So, anyone have any recommendations on what to do/buy while I'm out there? Any particular stores I should visit? Gadgets to buy?

I only have the 17th free, so I just thought I better have my schedule all planned out to make best use of my time.

Also, does anyone have any thoughts as to which airline is best for travel? So far, I'm tilting towards JAL, as opposed to Cathay. Both cost around $2500 round trip.

[alexzabr]

For what it worth, last time I flew there (it was about 4-5 years ago) I flew with Cathay - liked very much. Excellent, very polite service, enjoyed the flight.
A good looking stewardesses is an added value there...

[ambientscape]

Well, I'll be travelling to Hong Kong for three days from October 15 to 17 for some business transactions. So, anyone have any recommendations on what to do/buy while I'm out there? Any particular stores I should visit? Gadgets to buy?

I only have the 17th free, so I just thought I better have my schedule all planned out to make best use of my time.

Also, does anyone have any thoughts as to which airline is best for travel? So far, I'm tilting towards JAL, as opposed to Cathay. Both cost around $2500 round trip.

Hong Kong is a shopping paradise! You can grab some clothes for your wife or girlfriend.

[christopher_wolf]

For what it worth, last time I flew there (it was about 4-5 years ago) I flew with Cathay - liked very much. Excellent, very polite service, enjoyed the flight.
A good looking stewardesses is an added value there...

I see at least one other person here shares many of the same sentiments that I hold about what constitutes good air travel.

[GomJabbar]

While I don't have any personal advice to give, I remember reading the following thread awhile back and I thought maybe you could get a couple of tidbits out of it. http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=25039

Have a nice trip!

[gt3]

you can get suits tailored relatively cheap.

[christopher_wolf]

you can get suits tailored relatively cheap.

"Hong Kong? I know a good tailor in Hong Kong"

[egibbs]

I was in HK early this year, and indulged in an orgy of shopping and dining. We stayed on Kowloon side in Tsim Sha Tsui at the Sheraton, which is just a short ferry ride on the Star ferry from central Hong Kong.

There is lots of good shopping on both sides - both the traditional small shops on the street and the giant maga-malls full of designer names. I saw an article recently (NY Time I think?) that said in HK the question is not "Where is Hermes?" but "Where is the closest Hermes?"

If you're looking for electronics go to HK side and go west from the main post office - lots of shops. For clothing (not top names but good quality) I did well in Tsim Sha Tsui a couple blocks back from the water - I forget the name but it's a big shopping district covering several blocks.

That said, it's good to have a plan in advance and do some homework. I didn't and although I got some bargains I also overpaid for some stuff. Decide in advance what big ticket items you might be interested in, and research the prices in your area so you will know if the price in HK is better or not. Also remember to factor in customs duties if you will be making big ticket purchases.

One problems you will face is that there will inevitably be the lust inducing thing that you've never seen before, is not yet available in the US, and you absolutely must have. For me it was an HTC Wizard (Windows Mobile 5 phone). My old Journada was on it's last legs and I needed a GSM phone anyways, so this device satisfied both needs. I paid $800 US for it and thought it was a good deal - but now it's in the US as the T-Mobile MDA, and I could get it for $350.

When I was there early this year there were tons of HDD based personal video players - from 20 GB up to 100 GB with screens from an inch or two up to 4 or 5 inches. I managed to resist buying one, though I came close a couple times. If you think you might be tempted by one of these research the brands and prices before you go.

And BTW - I HATED Cathay Pacific. Yeah, the food was good and the stews were cute, but the coach seat was the tiniest I have ever been shoehorned into. My knees were jammed against the back of the seat in front of me for the whole flight. That was the first time I flew them and it will probably be the last, I can't understand what everyone raves about. I'll take Continental.

Ed Gibbs

[alexzabr]

And BTW - I HATED Cathay Pacific. Yeah, the food was good and the stews were cute, but the coach seat was the tiniest I have ever been shoehorned into. My knees were jammed against the back of the seat in front of me for the whole flight. That was the first time I flew them and it will probably be the last, I can't understand what everyone raves about. I'll take Continental.
Ed Gibbs

Probably indeed the case, however I'm just 1.65m so perhaps felt a bit less offended by their tightness.
In fact, our national airlines (El Al) aren't much better (at least as complianed by a taller people) so that once getting used to that makes other experiences less hurtful...

[christopher_wolf]

And BTW - I HATED Cathay Pacific. Yeah, the food was good and the stews were cute, but the coach seat was the tiniest I have ever been shoehorned into. My knees were jammed against the back of the seat in front of me for the whole flight. That was the first time I flew them and it will probably be the last, I can't understand what everyone raves about. I'll take Continental.

Ed Gibbs

Are you *sure* that wasn't a Southwest aircraft with a different livery?

[bigtiger]

And BTW - I HATED Cathay Pacific. Yeah, the food was good and the stews were cute, but the coach seat was the tiniest I have ever been shoehorned into.

Well, given the price he is paying, I think it is first class, rather than coach. While all coaches are different, I think all first class are equally luxury.

[pphilipko]

Thanks for your replies, everyone. Very helpful, though I must admit, I still haven't really decided exactly what to do. I've tried Cathay before in 2000, on their "special edition" millenium plane with pictures of children painted outside of the plane, and yes, I agree, the economy seats were a bit cramped. However, I've heard only good things about JAL, so I've decided to give them a try.

In reply to bigtiger:
Are you sure that fetches a first class ticket? My travel agent said that he was giving me a great deal for business class (on JAL). Other travel agents have told me the same. Do you know where by any chance I could get even cheaper flights (even thought it's a bit late now!)?

In reply to Ed:
Thanks for the VERY helpful advice. Fortunately, I probably won't have too much time to go on a spending frenzy.

And, yeah, I know that lust. I'll probably bring back some little gadget or two before my stay there ends. With any luck, I won't get cheated!

In reply to GomJabber:
Thanks for the link. I'll be sure to peruse it and see little tidbits I can get out of it..

Let's hope I arrive back home safely...!