As the sun sets the city comes to life and glitters with thousands of lights. The skyline in Hong Kong is one of the most spectacular lighting displays in the world. After a recent visit Perth Woman was lucky to see it with our own eyes.
With a population of nearly 7 million people within 1,100km we decided to stay at a hotel with room to spread out, relax and indulge ourselves.
We chose to stay at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel which overflowed with opulence and old world charm. As the focal point of Hong Kong's social and business scene since 1963 we knew we were in for a treat.
We weren't disappointed. Walking into the main foyer with luggage in hand, we were greeted with sumptuous surroundings. From the artwork on the walls to the ceiling sparkling with thousands of lights.
Our bedroom was awe inspiring. The colours and textures in the spacious room were beautiful and the bed was so comfortable we knew we'd sleep soundly after the day's adventures. The room also had views overlooking Victoria Harbour. We decided we never wanted to leave.
Eventually curiosity got the better of us and we thought it was time for a treat.
After the long flight we pampered our feet at the Mandarin Spa. With a variety of health and beauty treatments available we found ourselves hard pressed to choose the best indulgence. In the end we opted for a two hour massage which began with our worn out feet before a full body massage. The most luxurious part was the simultaneous head and foot massage at the end. Divine.
Spending so much energy on choosing a treatment had left us with a healthy appetite. With ten bars, lounges and restaurants offering the finest quality of both national and international dishes at the hotel we chose to prolong our indulgence just a little longer.
But then it was time to roam outside.
Where better to begin than at the shops? There were so many shopping districts to chose from it was difficult to find a place to start. Hong Kong is a treasure trove boasting exquisite boutiques full of designer clothing and department stores overflowing with the latest trends. Some of the most popular include Times Square and Landmark North.
For those on a budget we discovered Spring Garden Lane. A great place to find a bargain. This market sells products originally meant for export which gave us the chance to sharpen our bargaining skills. There was also the Ladie's market. Aptly named it was full of handbags, accessories and clothing.
However as lovers of culture a visit to Hong Kong would not have been complete without a visit to Lantau Island. At the top of Ngong Ping plateau we discovered the world's tallest seated bronze Buddha. At thirty-four metres high and weighing two hundred and fifty tonnes the statue was an awe-inspiring sight.
Not ones to shy away from a good view we caught the tram to one of Hong Kong's most popular destinations, The Peak. This breathtaking view shows off the city's incredible skyline, Victoria Harbour, Kowloon and the mountains.
The view from street level was just as spectacular. In the evening we caught a glimpse of 'The Symphony of Lights'. Involving over forty buildings this sound and light display occurs every evening. It is so impressive it is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Hong Kong is renowned as the culinary capital of Asia. This really is the place to tempt your taste buds. During our stay we sampled the local cuisine and started with Dim Sum. These are small mouth watering snacks such as steamed dumplings and mango pudding. Served in bamboo baskets and accompanied by Chinese tea they are often eaten throughout the day. We also learnt that yum cha (drinking tea) is an integral part of daily life in Hong Kong.
This was definitely a lifestyle we could adopt. Hong Kong is an amazing island. No other place combines the buzz of the city in such close proximity to the harmony of the mountains. With beautiful weather for a majority of the year, it really does offer something for everyone.
But after only a few short days our time in Hong Kong had drawn to an end. It was time to repack our bags, full to the brim with our new purchases and board the plane to Perth. Until the next holiday...
