Hong Kong Travel Guide

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Video Interlude: One Night as a Hong Kong Taxi Driver

Where: Hong Kong
November 28, 2011 at 2:19 PM | by | Comments (0)

Have you ever been to Hong Kong? If your answer is "yes," HIGH FIVE! If your answer is "not yet," then that's one place that should be moved toward the top of your list for 2012. We can't say enough good things about it, but perhaps one of the best is that, while the US is in the blustery throes of winter, Hong Kong is usually sitting pretty with 72-degree weather and sunshine.

And when that sun isn't shining, it's all about the dining and nightlife. the energy of which is captured by a new AFP time-lapse video, following a Hong Kong taxi driver on a typical graveyard shift.

Their YouTube settings don't allow for us to post it here, so you'll have to watch the brilliant video over at YouTube, but trust us that it's worth it. Just try to stay away from checking out flight deals to HKG after it.

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Foreign Grocery Friday: The Shark's Fin-Flavor Pretzel Sticks of Hong Kong

August 19, 2011 at 2:19 PM | by | Comments (0)

When we travel, one of our favorite things to do is to pop into a local grocery store and check out the food products and candies we'd never find anywhere else. So we're trying out this new feature, Foreign Grocery Friday, where each week we'll feature some of our (and your) favorite overseas treats. Got a recommendation? Let us know!

Do you like pretzel sticks? Come on! Who doesn't down a pretzel stick here and there—they're easy snacks and, if you're in Asia, the variety of flavors could keep you trying something new every week. In this case, we're focusing on the uber-popular brand Pretz, from the same Japanese company beyond the even more beloved sweeter snack sticks, Pocky.

You'll find Pretz virtually everywhere in the more common flavors of plain, tomato, shrimp and cheese, but the cities often have their own limited-edition, palate-specific flavors. In Hong Kong, these are Shark's Fin soup, Seafood and Abalone.

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Cathay Pacific's New Star Trek-Like Uniforms Start Flying Today

July 1, 2011 at 10:30 AM | by | Comments (4)

We know, we know. We're geeks about many things airline-related, but we really truly have a soft spot for Flight Attendant fashion. The latest new styles to hit both sorts of runways are those from Hong Kong's airline Cathay Pacific, which we were fortunate enough to inspect firsthand at Cathay's awesome world headquarters back in December.

At the time, Cathay's fresh-faced crews were just seeing the new designs for the first times themselves, and being fitted for their own duds. Well, todays is the day; today the new Cathay crew uniforms take to the skies.

To an infrequent Cathay flyer, the changes may not be so noticeable, trust us that these are so much more chic, in addition to slightly resembling something someone could wear in an episode of Star Trek.

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Inside and All Around CX City: Cathay Pacific's World Headquarters

May 20, 2011 at 10:37 AM | by | Comments (0)

Have you ever stood in the modern glass atrium of the headquarters of one of the world's top airlines? It's an impressive experience, to say the least, as it was for us recently when we spent an afternoon touring CX CIty, aka the home of Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific just outside of Chek Lap Kok Airport (HKG) on Lantau Island.

On the outside, CX City (or Cathay City, whichever), is a quiet and seemingly calm business block. Step inside, however, and you're immediately engulfed in the energy of a company that's got places to go and airplanes to fly. Flight attendants in their sharp red skirt suits powerwalk past, desk workers grab a candy bar from the atrium shop before going back to tweaking graphic design on an in-flight meal napkin, and pilots grab a post-flight beer in the pub.

It's an electric place, and the international ease is obvious; these people you see now could be in the sky over the Arctic in several hours, serving ramen noodles to anxious passengers on their flight long-haul. Can you tell we were kind of in heaven?

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Hong Kong's Very First Restaurant Week Begins in a Few Days

Where: Hong Kong
April 25, 2011 at 2:11 PM | by | Comments (0)

We probably don't have to remind you of our obsession with Restaurant Weeks, but we'll all excited again—and you should be too—because the concept of wallet-friendly, prix-fixe meals at the best restaurants in town is spreading...to Hong Kong. HK will begin their first restaurant week, annoyingly named "Springalicious," in a couple days—April 27 thru May 3.

Like any city's restaurant week, Hong Kong is starting their selection kinda small; more than 30 restaurants have altered their menus for the Springalicious diners. Check out the full list of participating restaurants here and to book a table, call their reservation phone numbers directly. We'd suggest Bo, g.e. at The Luxe Manor, Domani, Cépage or Whisk at The Mira.

The main event will be an all-you-can-drink specialty cocktail night at the Crowne Plaza Causeway Bay on April 30. For this, you'll need more than a reservation; purchase tickets for it here, on the official website.

[Photo: Springalicious]

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Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting on Hong Kong Airlines

Where: Hong Kong
April 18, 2011 at 12:28 PM | by | Comment (1)

Don't mess with the cabin crew onboard Hong Kong Airlines, because they're about to become martial arts masters. No, really! After a flight attendants trained in close-range combat found her skills helped her deal with unruly and heavy passengers, the airline has now made such training compulsory for all flight crew, with other HK Airlines staff invited to learn as well.

According to the AFP, the flight attendants will specifically learn Wing Chun, a form of Kung Fu ideal for up-close combat in confined spaces.

Flight crew won't just be using it to chop troublesome passengers into submission; it'll also aid with overweight passengers. The Wing Chun-trained FA who inspired all this actually found her strength allowed her to better deal with an overweight man who was feeling ill onboard a flight. Those who are currently in the program say they're enjoying it, since being able to defend themselves is a valuable skill.

Perhaps now some American airlines will consider makes Pilates part of their crew training?

[Ip Man photo: alternativechronicle]

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On the Helipad and Inside the China Clipper Lounge at The Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong

February 22, 2011 at 9:31 AM | by | Comments (0)

A couple months ago we took you inside a place very few get the privilege to see: The Peninsula Tokyo's Helicopter Lounge. Although the hotel doesn't have the go-ahead quite yet to begin helicopter transfers, that didn't stop them from looking ahead and building the space, complete with vintage airplane parts and Japanese aviation memorabilia.

Today however we have something perhaps even better—a tour of the Peninsula Hong Kong's functioning dual helipads and helicopter departure lounge, which sees actual passengers paying actual hundreds of dollars for either sightseeing tours or super-quick flights straight from their hotel to Hong Kong International Airport. In fact, while we were checking out the place, two ladies were awaiting the arrival of their heli pilot before taking off on a snappy spin around Victoria Harbour.

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In-Flight Cocktail of the Month: The 'Cathay Delight'

February 4, 2011 at 9:01 AM | by | Comments (0)

As many already know, we have a serious obsession with airline cocktails, and so much is our passion that we've created a whole first-Friday-of-the-month feature called In-Flight Cocktail of the Month, which highlights the special concoctions that flight attendants whip up with only a cocktail shaker, some tiny liquor bottles and a whole lot of hope that it won't make you drunk and unruly.

It's been a long winter already, and we're already drunk more hot toddies and ciders than we'd care to share. Thus, it's time to switch gears and daydream about more tropical libations, say...from places where the temperature is 70 degrees today instead of 7; a place like Hong Kong! And after drinking through Chinese New Year, we're more than ready for a glass of Cathay Delight, a non-alcoholic cocktail offered up on many Cathay Pacific flights from HK.

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In-Flight Cocktail of the Month: Cathay Pacific's Pacific Sunrise

January 7, 2011 at 5:01 PM | by | Comment (1)

As many already know, we have a serious obsession with airline cocktails, and so much is our passion that we've created a whole first-Friday-of-the-month feature called In-Flight Cocktail of the Month, which highlights the special concoctions that flight attendants whip up with only a cocktail shaker, some tiny liquor bottles and a whole lot of hope that it won't make you drunk and unruly.

For January, with the New Year and all, we're thinking champagne! Specifically the Pacific Sunrise, one of a few specialty cocktails offered up on many Cathay Pacific flights, but especially long-haul.

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Inside Cathay Pacific's The Cabin Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport

Where: Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
December 24, 2010 at 1:47 PM | by | Comments (0)


Our lust for the wonders of airport lounges is far from a secret. Thus, during our recent trip to Hong Kong, we spent the time right before a 15-hour flight not chilling with a book and a tea, but running all around the ginormous terminal, hitting all three of the Cathay Pacific Business Class lounges.

Finally, after taking you inside both The Wing and The Pier, we're now inside The Cabin the newest and shiniest of the lounges, as it only just opened in fall 2010. We shot all of the pictures either right as the lounges were closing or opening, so just know that you'll rarely ever see them this empty.

Right Now: Inside The Cabin lounge at HKG.

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Inside Cathay Pacific's The Pier Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport

Where: Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
December 24, 2010 at 9:05 AM | by | Comments (0)


One of the many sitting areas in the lounge

Our lust for the wonders of airport lounges is far from a secret. Thus, during our recent trip to Hong Kong, we spent the time right before a 15-hour flight not chilling with a book and a tea, but running all around the ginormous terminal, hitting all three of the Cathay Pacific Business Class lounges.

Finishing up today, we'll show you all we discovered in Cathay's The Wing, The Pier, and finally—the newest and shiniest—The Cabin. We shot all of the pictures either right as the lounges were closing or opening, so just know that you'll rarely ever see them this empty.

Right Now: Inside The Pier lounge at HKG.

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Inside Cathay Pacific's The Wing Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport

December 23, 2010 at 9:45 AM | by | Comments (0)


The lounge entrance

Our lust for the wonders of airport lounges is far from a secret. Thus, during our recent trip to Hong Kong, we spent the time right before a 15-hour flight not chilling with a book and a tea, but running all around the ginormous terminal, hitting all three of the Cathay Pacific Business Class lounges.

Over the next couple days, while everyone endures the cramped and frantic holiday travel season, we'll show you all we discovered in Cathay's The Wing, The Pier, and finally—the newest and shiniest—The Cabin. We shot all of the pictures either right as the lounges were closing or opening, so just know that you'll rarely ever see them this empty.

Right now: Inside The Wing lounge at HKG.

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