Having a curiosity about life and different cultures I couldn’t resist visiting Hong Kong last month for a two-day business trip. Even if it was so short I managed to visit most of the recommendations that were given by a lovely lady I met at the Airport’s Arrival Hall; her name is Cecilia and she is working for Hong Kong Tourism Board (find more travelling information on their website, Facebook and Instagram) .
They say ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ so I will let my photo memoirs guide you through Hong Kong Highlights.
#1 Peak Tram
Tip from AimerLaVie: Walk from The Hong Kong Station to The Peak Tram Station for about 15 minutes, you will love exploring parks and cathedrals along the way. And go early in the morning, the queue is sooo long! Don’t forget to visit the old Tram that hosts HK Tourism Board for further travel suggestions.
#2 The Peak – Sky Terrace 428
Tip from AimerLaVie: Go at the top of the Sky Terrace 428 for free WIFI and for peaceful moments to enjoy the panoramic view of the HK Skyline. Don’t forget to visit Peak Galleria across the ‘428’, that happens to be a sustainable building with green features.
#3 Po Lin Monastery
Tip from AimerLaVie: Notice well the hall with the ten thousand Buddhas, starting from the 5 big statues, to the smallest ones that are so tiny you can’t distinguish they are not just drawings on the tiles.
#4 Big Buddha
Tip from AimerLaVie: If you have a drone, take it with you! The statue is H U G E and deserves some good aerial shots! Find inner peace by looking over the stunning view of the surrounding mountains and the sea.
#5 Graham Street
Tip from AimerLaVie: Make sure you take a photo like this. It’s a must for Instagrammers and Art lovers; you will use it as a poster later on for your ‘Wall of Memories’, as I call it. The whole area is upgrading with new hotels and luxury shops so walls like these are not very common.
#6 Hollywood Road
Tip from AimerLaVie: Walk there late afternoon so you can see all the NEON lights come to life, giving another character to the streets. The street is famous for shopping so save your energy for some shopping therapy.
#7 SeaFood Room Restaurant
Tip from AimerLaVie: After 8pm reserve a table at the top floor of the restaurant to enjoy a glass of wine while looking over the stunning view of Victoria Harbour. The food and the ambiance of this place are amazing! Event the restrooms have a unique style and come with a view of the skyline. [Follow them on Instagram]
#8 Ngong Ping Village
Tip from AimerLaVie: If you are a ‘romantic’ type of person you will love this wallpaper of the butterfly so don’t forget to stop by, while you are leaving from the Big Buddha. Enjoy your cold coffee at one of the many cafes that are on your way out of the village.
#9 Citygate Outlet Mall
Tip from AimerLaVie: Take the bus to Citygate Outlet Mall and have a look around for discounts and offers on brands like Coach, Club Monaco and Burberry. Eat Taiwanese cuisine at the Teawood. Make sure you try their traditional tea and dessert, mmm delicious!
#10 Regal Airport Hotel
Tip from AimerLaVie: Stay at this hotel which is located within the airport if you are a business traveller. Buy postcards and use the concierge service to send them over to friends and family, trust me they will love the gesture. Visit the Asian restaurant for a Tsingtao beer & a vegan meal, and the Om Spa for that treatment you’ve been craving for so long.
I have to share some thoughts with you. While I was on the plane I found myself thinking about this…What if I told you that you as a person is not you but many different people put together as a puzzle… you are born as a unique entity, but as you grow up you find bits and pieces from the world and you add them to the masterpiece of yourself. Parents, family, friends are the first to be added. Then there are our teachers, idols, strangers we meet in the streets and colleagues. And of course when we are travelling… Travelling gets to the core of your soul by finding within different layers that have been added through the years the skills to help you survive. It might make you feel lost in the beginning but if you just sit back and relax for a moment, you get that cheeky smile into space realising what a life changing experience it is. Because travelling reveals the best in you, the human, the explorer, the achiever, the tireless, the problem solver, the best version of yourself. Now imagine if we all get to travel how much better we would feel. How much we would appreciate ourselves. How much wows we would say to us “Wow i did that”, “Wow i can’t believe i could experience this”.
Be a traveller, discover yourself, be a better version of yourself.
Ps. I got the opportunity to meet a very special friend who accidently happened to be a proud owner of my favourite car; A Tesla model S! So I couldn’t but ask him to take me for a ride 🙂 I’m usually saying ‘If you don’t ask for what you want, how can you expect things to happen?’, so do not expect anything to change in your life or happen by accident; go out there and happen to things.
Peace,
Marianna
Day Traveller & Night Dreamer
AIMERLAVIE 