10 days in HK and 3 days in Macao.
This'll be my second trip to this side of world - feel that my first time a couple of years ago was an opportunity wasted.
Do any of you have any 'must-see' recommdations for a newbie?  I want to most the most of it this time.
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Full review/write-up upon my return!

[ Last edited by  igirisujin83 at 25-3-2013 06:51 ]

Climbing the steps to the Po Lin monastery on Lantau is worth doing, if you like that sort of thing.

Doing the 7pm harbor tour on the Star Ferry is excellent value -- best view of the harbor.

I like the cheung-fan at Jade Garden in Kowloon.

There's a Din Tai Fung in Kowloon with very good xiao long bao.

The antiques shops are interesting on the island.

Riding a double decker bus to Stanley (but not after a big meal) is a nice way to tour the island.

Riding the tram to the Peak is a must-do if you want to feel like a tourist.

The markets in Mong Kok are full of great bargains.

The ferry to Macau is probably the fastest big boat any of us will ever go on (about 65km/h, I think).

And of course, there are plenty of punting opportunities too. What did you have in mind for that? So many flavors to choose from, it would be useful to know what you like. Bars, saunas, etc.?

Gherk

Well, that's a lot to cram in, so to speak.
Yup appreciate I could have been more specific about what I was after

I arrive on a Saturday so checking out the bars in WC on Sunday seems like a good starting opportunity.  But am ultra wary of getting ripped off.  Heard that the curtained bars might not be a good idea.  Someone not too noisy (i.e. talking is possible!).  I understand neptune 2 closed down.

Saunas in Macau seem pretty well covered here.  The Rio seems the classiest - guess thats why I chose the hotel as my base.
Are their any similar Sauna experiences in HK?

I read that Darling will close down - what a pity

On my last trip, I had a couple of in hotel (my hotel) massages.  That was fun and relaxing.  I did write a report on one of them.  A massage that starts veggie which could (most likely) develop into more would be ideal.  i.e. a good massage with a HE .

Comments appreciated.

I did this.  I sat at the top front, not knowing about the turns and tree branches.  Let's just say... on the way back I sat in the middle of the bottom level.

HK:
The Zoo and Botanical Gardens
The graveyards (seriously)
Harry's Bar sounds more your speed, but yes, look at the WC bars

Macau:
Shopping in Zhuhai
Why do you want "classy?"
The racetrack

Many thanks.  Classy is good.
I have a reasonable budget but don't want to get ripped off.

On the veggie tourism side, is the bus ride a proper tour or a scheduled bus route which is particularly scenic.  Popped to the top of the peak last time - was really cool.  Weird looking down on the tall buildings.

The bus ride we are talking about is just a regular city bus.  You can catch it at the main bus terminal in Central.  I forget the number.  It goes to Stanley Market, which is a tourist trap, but the route is scenic and there are some good restaurants at the Naval Meuseum (I think that's what it's called) next to Stanley Market.

None of the saunas in Macau talked about on this site will rip you off.  The only scam I've ever heard of is at 18 where the girls who help you after you shower will add numbers to the tip forms they ask you to sign.  So you tip 40 and later find they claim you tipped 140.  But that is rare and easily fixed.  Just pay attention to your bill.

If you are not from HK, ensure you have wechat on your phone (free communications with the girls -- very easy to use, and they all seem to have it). If you are from HK, still have it, but of course your communications will already be free in HK.

Yes, bus ride is just the regular "bus to Stanley". Same with Star Ferry -- just a regular Star Ferry ride, although I think they do have one (is it 7pm?) that is a "harbor tour" ferry ride.

In-room --- highly recommended, whether in HK or Macau.

Staying at Rio: Good plan, but remember "only wired Internet in the room", but it is fast.

Rio Sauna: Classy, but not really very different from Familia Nobre's or 18's level of class.

Gherk

Damn, I just took a friend and his family from Taipei on this tourist thing.  We took almost EVERY freaking available type of transport HK has to offer.

Anyway, we started off at IFC, got off the MTR and walked out to Exchange Square Bus Terminal.  From there we caught the normal city bus #260 to Stanley.  This will cost you $10.6 for the trip to Stanley.  Time would be anywhere between 30mins to 45mins depending on how bad traffic is.  Stroll through the Stanley markets, feed yourself on the waterfront.

We then planned to goto the Peak from Stanley, but since there is no bus direct, we hopped on the #6 bus (from the bus stop you got off at Stanley) this bus goes out back out to Central.  We asked the driver to tell us to get off at the Adventist Hospital stop so we could change to another bus (#15),  but we didn't end up waiting and just hopped into a taxi.

Spent some time on the Peak.  Madame Tussade's Wax Museum, some nice restaurants, lots of photo opportunity's, caught the cable car/tram down back to HK.  Price for the Museum will include the fee to go up top to the viewing deck, otherwise it is $40HKD just to go (I thought it was a ripoff) For the budget way, we went to the back of Burger King, there is a small open area there which gives you similar views.  Also walk up the path from the Peak Tram queue to the small 'resting area' (you'll see it, al tourists are there)  Bewarned, the Peak cable/tram is a FREE FOR ALL public transport.  People don't line up, and they just try to push in to get a good seat!  Cost for Peak cable tram, one way $28, two ways $40.

After we got off from Peak cable tram, we walked through the HK Park towards Pacific Place in Admiralty (because the kids wanted to ride the tram) you could actually walk back to IFC from the Peak cable tram station, but we went through the Park to Admiralty.  Hopped on a tram towards Central, "Ting Ting!" got off at IFC and walked to the pier to TST. Tram costs $2.10

Ferry to TST will cost $2.30 and about 5minutes.  Got off Ferry, and picked a spot on the waterfront on the upper walkway and waited for the 8pm laser show.  And wouldn't you know it, it's Earth Hour, WWF is saving energy today and so no laser show! But noramally it happens every night at 8pm for about 15minutes.

Then lots of feeding available in TST

[ Last edited by  Dilmah at 26-3-2013 13:12 ]

Well, since this has turned into a completely veggie thread, you might also want to try the world's longest escalator.  There are some nice cafes along the way (good English breakfast) and some interesting shops and galleries too.  If you get of and go one or two blocks you will ind some of the "old HK."  Interesting buildings, signs, and street vendors.

I always thought it was funny that in HK, there is the "world's longest outdoor escalator" (up to the mid-levels), but then at Ocean Park they have the "world's longest outdoor escalator" there too!

Gherk

We need to get this thread back onto a mongering line of conversation.

Saying that, mention of a 'good english breakfast' is almost as appealing as anything else on offer .
Not sure our American/European mainland bros would agree though.

I don't think the central escalator is really the world's longest, because it is not one escalator.  It's a bunch of them in a line.

As for the breakfast, its a little cafe right next to the elcalator on the left side.  About 3-4 steps away.  However, you will have to get off and then walk back down a little to reach it.  I can't remember the name, but I have a business card somewhere.  The eggs benedict are really good.

Ok. If you haven't tried Nuru, and want to, try www.dailyspahk.com. But it will cost you HK$2k for 90 minutes and is only worth it if you want to try nuru. The sex is the same as anywhere else.

Gherk

Could you scan and upload the business card?  This'd be the final piece in making Hong Kong "home from home".

Sex always is haha.

I've noticed that dailyspaphk has the same girls as another site offering hotel escorts (The site is http://www.hongkonghotelescort.com/).  The weird thing is that I think that price is hk$2k for 2 hours.

You'd have thought the added expense of an outcall would more than offset the use of the facilities.  Clearly my understanding of the business demonstrates why I'll never be on dragon's den.

Cheers.