Still doing all the reasearch......

[shanmac]

Well I have decided to bite the bullet - actually nibble would be a better description!!!! I am going to have a demo in January & purchase my TMX there & then.

Why wait - well my mothers group have been planning a girls trip away to Hong Kong for about 5 years and that is in October, and then the next thing you know it will be the dreaded lead up to Christmas!!

Anyway January isn't that far away - leaving me more time to spend on this forum!!

Thanks for all the advice

Shan

[Cuilidh]

You lucky thing, off to Hong Kong.  We used to live there many years ago (before handover) and I worked on the Tsing Ma bridge, which is a bridge you will travel through on the way into the city from the airport (the airport was under construction when we were there).

Where are you staying?  Have a great time there but take care in the shops as they are all very much "Buyer Beware" (particularly electronic / electrical items), but don't let that stop you - as they say .... shop till you drop!

[shanmac]

We are staying at The Langham Place in Mongkok. A couple of the girls our power shoppers so we are doing a day trip to Shenzen. Also looking at doing high tea, going to Victoria Peak, lots of beautiful restaurants. Anything you can suggest would be great.

[Cuilidh]

It has all changed a great deal since we lived there (approx. 18 years or so since we left).  We used to go to Shenzhen for a day's fun at the go-kart park and the roller coaster - I don't think I would recommend that - the roller coaster was pretty scary, it felt a bit like it was going to shake apart at any moment!

Mongkok is a busy, crowded area, but it's all so fascinating - night markets, bird markets, try to take a trip over to Stanley market on Victoria Island.  The Star ferries are great .... the Po Lin monastry on Lantau is fascinating (or at least it was when we lived there). If you have a big enough group, you should see if you can organise to hire a junk over to the seafood restaurants on Lama Island.  The cable car up to the Peak is good and the walk around the top is a nice easy stroll.  There is, really, just so much to do that anything you decided to do or anywhere you decided to visit will be great.

Where we lived, in a tiny village on Lantau Island, was great - the nearest road was about a kilometre away and we had to cycle or walk through all the local market gardens to get to and from home and the ferry over to Victoria.  Of course, now that the airport is on Lantau, you can drive to Kowloon - that's all new since we live there.  When we had friends visiting us they couldn't believe that there was a rural area in Hong Kong, but there certainly is - you just have to know your way around.

[shanmac]

Why is it that the TMX is so much cheaper in Germany than here? Surely with the AUD doing so well prices would reflect this?

[leesmac78]

I dont know, it's not fair really. 

Hong Kong is the BEST and MOST exciting place in the whole, wide world. Do ALL your shopping in Mongkok as it is off the main tourist trail of Nathan Road and you will save heaps shopping there.  If you wear glasses, go to Optical 88 and tell them you are leaving HK earlier than you are.  They are fast and cheap - take your prescription! Any other advice, please ask.  I wonder how much Thermie would cost there???

xxx

 

[sue_h]

Great decision Shanmac. It's hard for me to quantify the savings as we didn't have much take away. We have dropped our processed foods to <5% of our diet though and before it was maybe 30%. The real saving for me are being able to see things on special (that is when I have to go shopping, which isn't often any more) and know what I can create with them such as tomato sauce or butter or a soup. I can also buy bulk products such as flours, grains, nuts and not have them go off as they are core ingredients for most things I cook now. Enjoy the Thermomix. Pity you couldn't have it for Christmas. It's a great way to make gifts and prepare easy healthy meals for the holiday season. Have a great time in Hong Kong.

[shanmac]

Gee Lee I hadn't thought of that, maybe if Thermie is cheaper there I could get one - pity I don't speak or read Chinese, or I could be your first customer - theres that problem again of not being able to read or write in another language !!!!!!

Any tips on good jewellers & leather goods in HK would be great.

Shanx

[leesmac78]

Please don't buy jewellery at any of those "factory tours" they take you to when you book a "real" tour. You book a day tour touring HK city and sights but before you start, the tour operator takes you to some factor first.  Simply use it as a rest room stop and keep your wallet shut.  Always overpriced!!!

Watches are well priced usually.  Not the copy ones - yuk!  Make sure you know what everything is actually worth in Australia to see that it is cheaper in HK.  THe internet makes this so easy now.

xxx

 

[Carine]

We've been to Hong Kong twice, stayed in Mong Kok both times & simply loved it!  Mong Kok with its markets and street food is fabulous.  My sons (aged 9 and 11 when we where there) still talk about all the delicious food we had at the night market (pic attched):  smoked duck, braised scallops on vermicelli noodles, loads of stir fried greens, tripes and duck tongues...     The lot cooked in front of us- so fresh and fragrant!  uuumh:  love travelling! 

[Cuilidh]

I had forgotten about the toilet rolls on the tables to wipe your hands, etc.  Your photo bought back so many memories - the street food in Hong Kong was fabulous.

[Halex]

That food looks divine. I went to HK in 1988, absolutely loved it then. Dh hasnt bee, refuses to go, hates crowds, so one day will take ds, so iget to go again

Hally

[shanmac]

OMG your kids are so adventurous, duck tongue!! I wouldn't eat that and I'm sure my kids would think I was trying to poison them if I dished that up to them.

Can't wait we are all very excited not sure if it's the 7 days of shopping or the 7 days without all our kids!!

[Carine]

I had forgotten about the toilet rolls on the tables to wipe your hands, etc. 

So funny isn't it? No fuss street venue, great food at such a good price 

Shanmac, my boys are only following their parents lead- lead by example- if it smells good taste it   With the duck tongues we thought we would end up with a few on a plate and were in for a shock when a loaded plate (about 20!!!) was put in front of us.  They were deep-fried (light batter), very tender (calamari like in texture) and served with a few chillies:  a very good use of what would otherwise be thrown away, ...and so tasty!