For some shopping, I think your daughter might like the Chinese Arts & Craft stores, there are several locations, including one at the Pacific Place Mall, where the Conrad is. That's a smaller store. I really like the one on Kowloon, near the star ferry, at Star house, 3 Salisbury Rd and the Wan Chai store, 26 Harbour Rd- near the Grand Hyatt. They offer an array of products - handicrafts, apparel, jewelry, art, etc. I believe they also have chops. I bought mine a long time ago in Stanley Market.
I'm finishing up a stay in HK at the JW (across the street from the Conrad) with my wife and 9 year old daughter. Aside from the recommendations already made, stop by the aviary in HK Park (right behind the hotel). My daughter had a great time there looking at the colorful birds on our way back from the Peak Tram.
Also, let her negotiate for something she wants at one of the night markets with one of the hawkers (you might have to help her with the negotiating part by whispering into her ear )
Thanks for those hints! You have no idea how much I appreciate the information you and everyone else has provided. You have taken away a lot of apprehension I initially had in bringing my daughter with me. Thank you!
I am sure you both will have a great time in Hong Kong!
I would like to request that you should take as many photos as you can, to put in your trip report, I and many other are looking forward to share your holiday!
Please remember one thing, I can't emphasis too strongly, that is to drink ONLY bottled water while you are there. If you like a change, there are many place in Hong Kong, sells freshly 'processed' fruit juice, as long as you can see it done in front of your own eyes, then that is OK to drink, these are very nice and very resonable.
The local water may or may not be OK, as a visitor, however, you may not be use to it. The last thing you want in a busy three-day holiday is to let stomach bug get in the way of your fun time.
The Peak Tram is not to be missed, go up there in the early evening, and you will see a fabulous display of city lights right in front of you.
Agreed, but might I add that, if you're in Hong Kong on a weekday, do this on a weeknight? In my experience, the queue for the tram can be quite long on weekends.
Last edited by MisterTanaka; Apr 5, 09 at 2:06 pm.
Do a survey and ask how many locals would drink water from the tap, and if they do, they drink it on a rare occasion or all the time like those in the US ?
This is what nearly all of our Chinese friends told us when we lived in Hong Kong, so we had bottled water delivered. It seemed quite odd to be buying gallons and gallons of bottled water in a first-word city like Hong Kong when we had just moved from Manila, where we drank tap water everyday. (It came from the private water supply in a gated community, but it was still Manila!)
This is what nearly all of our Chinese friends told us when we lived in Hong Kong, so we had bottled water delivered. It seemed quite odd to be buying gallons and gallons of bottled water in a first-word city like Hong Kong when we had just moved from Manila, where we drank tap water everyday. (It came from the private water supply in a gated community, but it was still Manila!)
Tap Water in HK is just fine in most cases. FWIW I do NOT have an iron stomach, but have had no problems in my over 1 year experience here and live in an old building. Christep, another poster has lived in HK for over 10 years and drinks tap water. No need to worry. If you just prefer bottled water, that's fine. But the water is safe to drink (unlike say erm in India).
A lot of the same people here (one of the annoyances of living in such a safe city) are terrified of crossing the border to Shenzhen and other trivial things. Apparently Shenzhen is crime ridden and every single day children get kidnapped, chopped up and their organs are sold on the black market.
Tap Water in HK is just fine in most cases. FWIW I do NOT have an iron stomach, but have had no problems in my over 1 year experience here and live in an old building. Christep, another poster has lived in HK for over 10 years and drinks tap water. No need to worry. If you just prefer bottled water, that's fine. But the water is safe to drink (unlike say erm in India).
A lot of the same people here (one of the annoyances of living in such a safe city) are terrified of crossing the border to Shenzhen and other trivial things. Apparently Shenzhen is crime ridden and every single day children get kidnapped, chopped up and their organs are sold on the black market.
Don't say that, it'll put people off.
I drink reverse osmosis water from my tap.
I rinse cutlery with the water from the restaurant, except the posh ones where I buy a bottle of mineral water to rinse cutlery with.
Maybe it's because of SARS, maybe the various bird flu or other scares, but local Hong Kong Chinese have gotten more paranoid over the years.
When I was growing up in HK in the 70's and 80's, only the lower-end Chinese restaurants give you that large bowl for you to collect the tea rinse of your chopsticks and bowls and cups, etc. Most people didn't do it at middle-of-the-road restaurants.
These days, I found that people are doing it at nicer places than they used to in the 70's/80's.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LongingForORD
Please let us know how the trip went, what you and your daughter did and what was her most favorite.
Inquiring minds want to know!
All: You can count on it. I will include pictures too. You know, this is the best part of the internet that many don't even think about. Can you imagine, 15 years ago most of us relied on a travel agent and now we can forge our own path with the help of an online community. I really can't thank all of you enough!
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Programs: NW Plat, UA PE, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Silver, Hertz PC
Posts: 167
Quote:
Originally Posted by i'mlovin'it
I'm finishing up a stay in HK at the JW (across the street from the Conrad) with my wife and 9 year old daughter. Aside from the recommendations already made, stop by the aviary in HK Park (right behind the hotel). My daughter had a great time there looking at the colorful birds on our way back from the Peak Tram.
Also, let her negotiate for something she wants at one of the night markets with one of the hawkers (you might have to help her with the negotiating part by whispering into her ear )
Great tip on the Aviary. We were at Busch Gardens Williamsburg 2 weeks ago and the aviary there was closed and she was disappointed.
GREAT tip on the negotiating. Thanks!!
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Detroit Michigan is in the Eastern Time Zone...
Tap Water in HK is just fine in most cases. FWIW I do NOT have an iron stomach, but have had no problems in my over 1 year experience here and live in an old building. Christep, another poster has lived in HK for over 10 years and drinks tap water. No need to worry. If you just prefer bottled water, that's fine. But the water is safe to drink (unlike say erm in India).
For someone that live in the western part of the world especially in the US, they would think the water in Hong Kong is safe to drink from the tap. But for someone who live through the years growing up, watching the different kind of disease in HK, SARS, H5N1, EV71, flesh eating bacteria, we have a sense of protecting outselves and spread to word out to others.
And like rkkwan said, there are now even upper end Chinese restaurant would provide you a bowl of boiling water to wash your utensils before you eat, as water that is boiled do kill most of the bacteria vs tap water, this is a very common practice for locals. There are also reported the source of the HK water which came from China (Dong Kong) got polluted from factories, which resulted dead fish along the way. Drinking tap water vs bottle water/boiled water is up to you, it is also depend on one's immune system, I am just providing a local point of view.
This is what nearly all of our Chinese friends told us when we lived in Hong Kong, so we had bottled water delivered. It seemed quite odd to be buying gallons and gallons of bottled water in a first-word city like Hong Kong when we had just moved from Manila, where we drank tap water everyday. (It came from the private water supply in a gated community, but it was still Manila!)
We had our parents or grandparents boiled the water throughout the day instead of bottle water. Everyone in their home has a sizeable water pot to boil water. If the water we drink in HK only comes from the local reservoirs, we will have nothing to worry about, it is only about the water from China. You know how bad is the pollution in China, including the smog when the wind blows from the north.
+1 , except the bolded has to be changed to "over one"
I suppose this problem greatly depends on few pointers
1. how were you brought up (how susceptable are you to these tiny creatures)
2. what are you planning to do (travellers would usually take less risk on such things, esp when bottled water isnt that expensive in HK... and are in reasonably quality
3. where you get the water from (new pipes, old pipes... esp from where your building is!! dont underestimate how dirty your pipes can be if you're not used to it)
well, for tourists at least- get a bottle. the government now DO say the water is potable, but still. your choice!
...except the posh ones where I buy a bottle of mineral water to rinse cutlery with.
now, i think you are paranoid :P
I eat street food or at sub-par hygenic places on a regular basis(not daily, but def more than weekly) and hardly run into problems.
I believe they do make you stronger :P but anyway...
)
