Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a city equivalent to the UK for cost of food, accommodation and transport. The local currency is Hong Kong Dollar. Hong Kong Island is approx one hour from the airport. The easiest way to get there is using the local bus service which operates from outside the airport. Fares are £4 and are comfortable with air-conditioning and cushioned seats. You have to purchase your ticket before boarding. Hong Kong City is just like any other with its high rise buildings, shops galore and pick of fast-food restaurants. If you prefer to experience the real Hong Kong, explore the back streets hidden in the heart of the city. These run adjacent to the shops and show you what life is really like. Full of Chinese lanterns hanging from every stall, they're full of unique gifts. The smell of local delicacies fill the streets with plenty of cafes offering fresh meat hanging from their display and when you've exhausted the lanes, just one street away is back to reality. There's plenty of small picturesque parks to sit and watch the world go by and plenty of buses to hop back onto when you want to go back to your hotel. Half an hour away from the city is Kowloon, an alternative place to stay. Guest Houses start from £30 including breakfast. These are more like a hotel with en-suite bathrooms. Streets and streets of shops come alive at night with shoppers in the night bazaar in Kowloon. You can pick up a snack from a mere 50 pence from outside food stalls. If you're looking for culture, Kowloon is the place to go but don't be forgiven for thinking you're the only westerner. In Hong Kong itself, there aren't many tourist attractions so I recommend touring by bus which will take you to the bays on the island. If you have any recommendations for sight seeing, please let me know...