Destinations

Hello, Hong Kong!

Free trip reveals The Pearl of Asia is more than just a shopping venue

By Nuttaporn Srisirirungsimakul, Photographs by Nuttaporn Srisirirungsimakul

Did You Know : Jo San is the Cantonese way of saying �good morning.�

A plunge from the Abyss.	The view from the top of the Peak Tower.	Shopping for souvenirs on Nathan Road.

Do you prefer .. The phone call seemed so unbelievable. �Do I really get to go to Hong Kong?� I asked. �Are you sure you dialled the right number?� �Yes, I�m sure,� the voice on the line replied. �Just pack your bag and be at the airport at 8:30 am.�

After hanging up, my heart was pounding with excitement. A free trip to Hong Kong with 88 Peak FM � I�d never won anything like this before.

Still unsure, on August 13, I packed my small travelling bag and headed for the airport. Sure enough, I found the meeting point and was greeted by the smiling radio station staff and the nine other lucky winners. All of us were off for a weekend trip to Hong Kong with singer Lanna Cummins and DJs Man, PK and Pae.

SEAFOOD SUrPRISE

Mon Kok district at night

Weird-looking seafood at Lei Yue Mun.

Two hours later we were in Hong Kong. Wasting no time, we were off to the first destination, a meal at Lei Yue Mun. This fisherman�s village (a cluster of shops selling creatures from the deep) is famous the world over for its fresh seafood.

As soon as we were seated, mouth-watering dishes � seasoned abalone, garlic king prawns, butter-fried lobsters � were lined up on the table. With rumbling stomachs, everyone dug in.

After the impressive meal, we decided to walk things off at the Ladies Market in Mong Kok district. Not just women�s clothing as the name would imply, this market features everything from Hello Kitty mobiles to second-hand sneakers to fake Louis Vuitton wallets.

Too lazy to haggle with the shopkeepers, I just wandered around savouring a cup of mango pudding, Hong Kong�s famous dessert, before heading back to the hotel.

FAMOUS FRIENDS

We started our second day with dim sum, a variety of dumplings and buns served in bamboo baskets. Then, it was off to Ocean Park, one of Asia�s biggest theme parks, which features aquariums, dolphin shows and roller coasters. The park�s highlight is a ride on the Abyss, a scary yet breathtaking plunge from 20 storeys up.

Exhilarated, our group headed for the Peak Tower, probably the most famous landmark on the island. There, not only did we have a chance to admire the spectacular view of the Victoria Harbour and the city below, we also got up close and personal with celebrities like Bruce Lee, Bill Clinton and Princess Diana at Madame Tussauds Museum. OK, they are only wax replicas, but some good shots with the David Beckham model should make my friends envious.

SHOPPERS DELIGHT

A trip to Hong Kong for any Thai wouldn�t be complete without shopping. And that�s what we did for day three. Following the advice of our tour guide and armed with a big bag, comfortable sneakers and a shopping list of souvenirs, I headed for Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui where all the department stores are located.

Lined with numerous shopping centres, chic boutiques and brand name outlets, the road was bustling with shoppers. Sure enough, in each shop it was easy to spot other Thai tourists making the conversion from Hong Kong dollars into baht. Not surprising, almost every shopkeeper was able to greet me in Thai.

Unfortunately, the price of clothes and electronics are sky high, and my shopping adventure was a bit of a letdown. Nevertheless, I picked up some cool postcards for friends back home.

Back at the hotel, it became clear that I was the only one who found prices in Hong Kong�s to be prohibitive � everyone else was struggling to squeeze their huge shopping bags into their luggage.

Despite not making any pricey purchases, I didn�t leave Hong Kong empty-handed. I returned to Thailand with unforgettable memories and a few new friends � well, that and a few extra kilos on my weight.

Vocabulary

walk off (phrasal verb): to go for a walk after a meal so that you feel less full
haggle (v): to argue with somebody to reach an agreement, especially about the price of something
plunge (n): a sudden movement downwards or away from something
landmark (n): something, such as a large building, that you can see clearly from a distance and that will help you to know where you are