My daughter and I just booked (confirmed, as we were waitlisted) our flights to the Philippines, Singapore, and Hongkong...August 2-23.

How exciting! It's been over 30 years since I went to Singapore but I hear it's changed a lot since then! I've been to Hong Kong several times & absolutely loved it!

Enjoy!

Thanks, Chris,

I am going to start researching what to do and where to go in both places (S & H). We are excited - for sure! It will be our first visit to both Singapore and Hongkong.

Singapore has excellent food - don't miss the East Coast for curry/pepper crab, and makansutra.com for street food tips.

And if the weather's good when you're in Hong Kong, don't miss dim sum lunch at Maxim's City Hall. The food is good (not the best, but still very good) and they still do traditional push carts, plus there's a great harbour view. I live in HK, so would love to help if you have any questions

Two of my favorite cities, too. I just got back from a trip that included Hong Kong (we stayed on the Kowloon side) and I just love that skyline, the Star Ferry, the corporate signs across the water - all of it! The engineering that went into the roads and flyover sidewalks, etc. is extraordinary, too. Lan Kwai Fong still throbs at night - you'll have to visit, if only for a peak at what the younge people are up to.

S'pore is still putting up high rise buildings of all manner of shape and size - don't forget to stroll along Boat Quay and sample all the international food you could ever want from about 70 restaurants in a row. Maybe you'll catch a cricket match or rugby tournement nearby at the cricket club - great way to spend an afternoon.

E_ting and Jeff, thank you for your input. I am taking notes. Do you have any Hongkong hotel recommendations? Someone suggested Shamrock Hotel... any familiarity with that? Comments?

I really appreciate your help in my planning.

I always stayed at the New World Harbor View right at the new Convention Center. It's now called the Renaissance Harbor View - basically, I never stayed anywhere else in all my time in Hong Kong, so can't help with recommendations.

Depends what your budget is - generally hotels in Kowloon side will be cheaper. I've never been into the Shamrock, but it looks pretty decent, and is close to Jordan MTR (subway) and also walking distance to Tsim Sha Tsui for shopping. The area around the hotel offers some great local eating experiences (claypot rice, HK-style cafes etc.)

A few blocks toward the water on Nathan and a left onto Mody Road and you'll find a number of indoor-outdoor dining places on your left. Italian, Australian, etc. +live entertainment at La Villa Restaurant, too.

It seemed to me that Kowloon is experiencing a bit of a revival - much more activity on Nathan and surrounding streets and alleys than in the 90's (if that's possible!). Of course, along with the commercial development come the street hawkers up and down Nathan trying to lure you into their stores for shirts, suits, electronics, etc..

I recently stayed on the Kowloon side at the Renaissance Kowloon and was surprised by the amount of development. Check out Bird Alley and the Jade Market if the Shamrock is where you end up.

BTW, the Star Ferry over to Hong Kong is a whopping 33 cents American, or free if you're a senior.

There was a good website that someone (I think it was AsiaExpert, or something like that) posted this morning about Singapore, Hongkong, and Macau. Now it is gone? I did not have time to read it or bookmark it this morning thinking I'd do that tonight and now it is nowhere to be found! What happened?

Eden - I sent you a PM.

Thank you, Marta. I got it.

Good one on the Star Ferry, Jeff H, it is indeed the cheapest and best view you can get of the famed (justifiably, if I may say so) Victoria Harbour. Take it form Kowloon side (Tsim Sha Tsui) over to Hong Kong Island.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff H:
It seemed to me that Kowloon is experiencing a bit of a revival

Well, Kowloon hasn't exactly been dormant, given most locals live there, but it has been given a bit of a scrub-up. Nathan Rd is by no means friendly - it's Kowloon's main artery, but as Jeff says, full of shady salespeople and shops. Towards the Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) end it gets better, but if you want a local vibe (which can mean being in extremely crowded places), try Ladies' Market and surrounding streets in Mong Kok, or Granville and Carnavon Rds in TST.

I was born in the Philippines so im quite familiar with it so feel free to ask. Not sure how long u will be there but the nicest areas to stay in Manila is in Makati (Shangri-la, Peninsula, New World, Mandarin Oriental) dont panic coz you can get rooms from these hotels for 100 dollars a night. If u like the beach, I think the Philippines has the best beach in the world, BORACAY or EL NIDO in Palawan or if u wanna splurge AMANPULO very expensive but my oh my it is a taste of heaven. I love going to the Spa in the Philippines and getting massages. For 20 USD u can get a great spa experience. My favorite is a chain called D SPA, theres one in Makati. Have fun in those three countries.

Robin, Thank you for the tips. I have stayed at the Shangri-la for about a week on my last visit to Manila. This time, we (my daughter and I) will be spending most of our time in Cebu for much needed beach therapy.

I am looking into Shangri-la in Cebu. For arrival I booked us into the Marriott, which is closer to the city center.

I plan to blog while there ... I am excited. Bonus or rather main purpose of the visit: I get to see my 88 -year old Mom who decided to return and live in Cebu after over 25 year residence in California.