National Geo Park, Sai Kung, Hong Kong

You may not aware that Hong Kong has this type of geography - volcanic rocks - hexagonal pillars at Sai Kung, Man Yee Reservior. The journey is a little long to get there, but it is certainly worth it.

Getting There:
From Diamond Hill MTR Station, change to bus 92 (HK$5.8/person) to Sai Kung Pier Terminus. Change to green taxi to go to Man Yee Reservior East Dam. The taxi ride is around HK$100, averaging HK$20/per person if you have 5 in a group. Make sure to ask the taxi driver to wait and take you back, or ask for a paging number to page a taxi to take you back to Sai Kung bus terminus. Otherwise, it is going to be a 3-hour walk. If you are an eco fan, you can try to walk.

Spend about an hour or an hour and a half for a scenic walk. It's going to be a leisure walk, easy to walk even you have kids with you.

The landscape here is pretty impressive!

Sea Caves

Volcanic Hexagonal Pillars!

Try Rock Climbing
Beware of Rocks Rolling Down!

Seafood Lunch After the Geopark Visit

It is highly recommended to have a seafood lunch at the Sai Kung Pier after your geopark visit. There are plenty of seafood restaurants around the bus terminus and you can pick your favourite live seafood - a unique dining experience in Hong Kong.

View photos of my Sai Kung seafood dinner


Hong Kong Travel Blog - Sai Kung National Geopark and Seafood

Luxury Coffee Shops in Hong Kong

For coffee lovers, you may find Hong Kong a paradise when you want to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee. If you are fond of Italian coffee, these are the coffee shops you should never miss: Cova, Cafee Vergnano and Cafee Habitu are the luxury coffee shops I like most. Apart from their superb coffee quality, they provide luxury environment and wireless internet services. You would provide your own computer and sit on comfortable sofa or working table to work while enjoying a cup of coffee.

The disadvantage of these luxury coffee shops is that they don’t have many shops around. Click on the links and find a shop close to where you are.

On the contrary, internationally renowned coffee shop Starbucks, have plenty of shops here. Once you land in Hong Kong, you’ll find one when you leave your aircraft. Pacific Coffee, a relatively regional brand also have plenty of shops in town. Most of these luxury coffee shops are equipped with wireless internet services. Though some of the shops provide computer terminals, it is best to bring your own.

Luxury Coffee Shop at Top of Hong Kong
Among the luxury coffee shops here, there is one I like the most: Pacific Coffee at the Peak Tower. Get a corner table at the outdoor section – A perfect place to enjoy a breathtaking view of Hong Kong while discussing some personal or confidential matters, and of course with a cup of lovely coffee in hand.

Pacific Coffee at The Peak Tower

Hong Kong Travel Blog

Unique Foot Massage in Hong Kong

For SPA and foot massage lovers, there are couple of unique places you may want to check out.

Chinese Foot Massage & Body Treatments
Want to get a taste of Hong Kong Chinese style of foot massage? Here is the place - Foot Joy Club soaks your feet in hot Chinese herbal water first before a therapist provides foot reflexology and massage. Generally they will treat your shoulders quite a bit. Just sit back, relax, enjoy TV or read a magazine with a cup of drink.

This foot SPA is just next to the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Wanchai. Hotel guests can enjoy discounts. Even without discount, the prices here are quite reasonable. I really love the environment. I remember that they open round the clock, but it is better to make a booking first.

This place is just opposite to the Happy Valley Racecourse. You might want to give your feet a treat after the excitements at the horse races.

Cosmopolitan Hotel
387-397 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3552 1111

Wonderfish SPA
I just tried it last week – wonderful experience. I was told that this is the only fish SPA in Hong Kong. The little fishes namely Garra Rufa have a unique dietary habit as to gently nibble away the hard and dry skin on your feet whilst they give you a delightful foot massage. The process will also help improve blood circulation.

They have two calming pools containing Garra Rufa fishes. Once you put your feet in, the fishes will start ‘treating’ you. I yelled at first because of the itchy feeling and went on laughing after a few seconds. This same scenario happened to the other guests too. After all, we all left the SPA with a smiling face. HK$180 for 30 minutes.

Wonderfish SPA
Shop 25, Level 2, The Peak Galleria, Hong Kong

Once I put my feet in, the fishes start working.

The fee includes one free drink.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Unique Foot SPA

Rugby 7 - Hong Kong's Top Event This March

March 26-28, 2010 (Friday to Sunday)

Ticket Info
Internationally, ticket and accommodation packages will be sold through the HKRFU's overseas Official Travel Agents and Cathay Pacific Airways, the tournament's co-title sponsor and official airline.

Venue Info
Hong Kong Stadium

General Facts 2010

Brief History
The world's premier Rugby Sevens Tournament was born over pre-luncheon drinks at the venerable old Hong Kong Club on a misty spring day in 1975.

As the Tournament grew throughout the 70's and 80's in both supporter popularity and the number of participating teams, which had now progressed from club sides to representative teams, the Tournament moved from its original home in the Hong Kong Football Club to the Hong Kong Government Stadium. By the beginning of the 90's, with demand for tickets having outstretched the capacity of the Stadium for over five years, it was time for a larger facility. The Stadium that had been the Tournament's home for 12 years was re-built in 1994 and a 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium is now its current venue.

Hong Kong was awarded the prestige of hosting the 2nd Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1997, which was a huge success in a memorable year for Hong Kong as it was handed back to China and became a Special Administrative Region.

During the years after the Rugby World Cup Sevens it was apparent how important the game of Sevens rugby had become in the development of good rugby players. Players such as Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, George Gregan to name a few first demonstrated their speed and agility in the Hong Kong Sevens. The iRB, recognising the value of the game of Sevens, launched its inaugural World Sevens Series in 2000 - the 25th year of Sevens Rugby in Hong Kong - to enable more players to benefit from Sevens competitions. A core of 10 to 12 of the world's top teams now participate in tournaments in Dubai, South Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia.

The Hong Kong Sevens Tournament itself has a wonderful history. It is now considered the iRB's "Jewel in the Crown" in the Series and still continues to grow in popularity with players and spectators. Rugby World Cup Sevens 2005 was the second time Hong Kong has hosted RWC Sevens and this year marks 32 years of sevens rugby in Hong Kong - a remarkable achievement.


Hong Kong Travel Blog - Rugby 7, 2010

Open Day – Government House of Hong Kong

The Government House of Hong Kong is usually open to the public twice a year. The first open day this year is held today, Sunday March 7. Main theme of the open day is for visitors to view the blossoming azaleas and other plants in the garden and have sight of places where the Chief Executive holds important official functions and receives dignitaries – dining room, drawing room and the garden.

There are new initiatives for visitors this time. Free guided tour services are provided at fixed positions in Government House to enhance visitors' understanding of the history and architectural features of the distinguished building, as well as the large variety of flowers and plants in the garden. Visitors will also be treated to musical performances of the Hong Kong Police Band, student choirs and ensembles while strolling in the garden.

Government House open day usually attract a large number of visitors and long queue is expected. Visitors must enter the garden through the east gate at Upper Albert Road and leave through the main gate. They should make full use of public transport. Opening hour is generally between 10am and 5pm.

For more information, browse the Government House website.

Government House has a history of more than 150 years and is a declared monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Government House Open Day

Marathon to Celebrate Lantern Festival in Hong Kong 2010

Today is the first full moon in the Year of Tiger. It is said that today’s full moon is the biggest and brightest in 53 years. It is the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival on the 15th of January, and many even refer it to be the Chinese Valentine’s Day.

To celebrate the Chinese Valentine’s Day, we have the annual grand sports event Marathon 2010 held here in Hong Kong. Up to 60,000 runners from around the world participated. The first group of runners started as early as 5am. Kenyan runner Cyprian Kiogora Mwobi retains his title, but failed to make a new event record due to the hot and humid weather.

Full Moon in Hong Kong - Sai Kung

Travel Hong Kong on Abnormal Routes
If you are physically fit, participating the Marathon is a good way to have close encounters with Hong Kong on some of the places that you would never have a chance to set your footprints. But mind you, there are 50 runners needed to be sent to the hospital under the hot and humid weather today, which is really rare in February in Hong Kong.

While all competitions finish at the Victoria Park, the three routes allow you to run on some of Hong Kong’s most remarkable landmarks. Below are highlights of the routes.

Tsing Ma Bridge, Hong Kong

Full Marathon – Nathan Road, Tsing Ma Bridge, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Western Harbour Tunnel
Half Marathon – Eastern Harbour Tunnel
10KM – Island Eastern Corridor

Full Route Map

Hong Kong Marathon 2010 news
Hong Kong Marathon 2010 website

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Marathon 2010

Lai See Giving Tradition in Hong Kong

Chinese New Year holiday in Hong Kong is just over. The general work force went back to work yesterday. The business flow of lai see giving started. It is a Chinese tradition to give lai see (red pockets) during Chinese New Year. We also give gifts to our relatives and friends during the new-year house warmings. Below are the gifts and red pockets that I received this year.

As a Chinese tradition, senior generations give red pockets to younger generations. In the business world, bosses give red pockets to their subordinates; clients give red pockets to service providers such as the doorman at hotels or waiters at restaurants. Money wise, HK$20 is widely acceptable as a standard. However you can give more as you wish. Again, this is a tradition, not a rule or law. It doesn't matter if you don't want to give lai see in the business world, however it is a must among family members.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Lai See Giving in Chinese New Year