I’m back in office after a crazy, fun week in Hong Kong where Team MissMalini was part of the Visa Go Hong Kong Super Shopper 2012 competition. Unfortunately we didn’t win the grand prize (HK$200,000), but we definitely came back with some awesome memories. Let me take you through our amazing race!
Each team was assigned a mission to go shopping and explore the hidden treasures of Hong Kong. Ours was to plan a visit to old Hong Kong for parents on their wedding anniversary celebrations. In our itinerary, we had to include elements like arts & culture, greenery, dining, nightlife, and shopping of course! My teammate, Shweta Ganesh, and I took lots of pictures using the Instagram app on our iPhone 4s of the various places in and around Hong Kong.
Our start and end point for the competition was East Hotel – Tai Koo Shing Road, where we all stayed. We started our journey at the nearest Tai Koo MTR Station and headed towards the Central. We visited the Man Mo Temple on Hollywood road, which is the largest Man Mo temple in Hong Kong. A local told us that people visit this temple to pray for their children to grow up to be strong and well-educated. (I am pretty sure my parents had visited this temple during their visit).
After shopping a little at the Central, we took the Star Ferry boat from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon. The Victoria Harbour looks stunning beyond imagination from the pier.
From the harbour we walked towards Tsim Sha Tsui promenade which includes the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Hong Kong Space Museum, and the Hong Kong Museum of Art and Avenue of Stars… that’s where the Jackie Chan star was.
We visited The Peninsula, which is one of the oldest hotels in Hong Kong and is best known for their afternoon tea. British influence is very much prevalent even today, and English is one of the official languages in Hong Kong.
While taking a walk at the Kowloon park, we spotted a man performing Tai Chi – a Chinese method of exercise that helps to balance the Yin and Yang of the body.
Shopping was of course one of the crucial parts of our competition. Hong Kong offers a huge variety of shopping areas, street shops and malls. Some of the best areas to shop are – Tsim Sha Tsui, Harbour City, Causeway Bay, the Central, Ap Liu Street Flea Market, Ladies Market, and Temple Street Night Market.
Super Shopper Tip: Be sure to brush up on your bargaining skills before you enter the markets to shop!
After an adventurous day out we needed to chill and sip on some coolers. So we headed to Sugar – a bar & deck lounge with a spectacular view of the East Hong Kong Island. After my wonderful experience of exploring Asia’s World City, I can’t wait to go back!
Watch some behind the scene fun: