Hong Kong 2013 - Day 4: more venues

I overslept. With the jetlag and all, I hadn't realized that it was Saturday already and my alarm was set for weekdays only... Fortunately, I still woke up in time for a quick breakfast.

First stop of the day was the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, which overlooks Victoria Harbour. They had a jewellery fair going on which spread over the whole centre. And because of the valuable exhibits, they even had police with guns outside the centre! So, unfortunately, we weren't able to see the meeting rooms, but we got a presentation instead.

The centre is adjacent to the Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel and the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. By now, one hotel seemed to blur into another. All of them stunning though! I wish I could live like that! After the site visits, we enjoyed a drink in the Waterfall Bar, the Grand Hyatt's outdoor poolside lounge. It was so nice to sit in the sun, too! Too bad we didn't have time to jump into the pool!

Paradise!

Impressive lobby of the Grand Hyatt

Hong Kong 2013 - Day 3: we are being spoilt!

After a long day, we were treated to a foot reflexology massage at Foot Buzz, located on Knutsford Terrace (and just a stone throw from our hotel). As regular blog readers will already know: I LOVE massages. And foot massages especially. 50 minutes of bliss! With a number of chairs set up right next to each other, it's not a private affair, but it was very relaxing anyway. It was a little uncomfortable when two of the massage therapist clearly started talking about me. I guess a few people were a bit puzzled by the fact that I look (a bit) Chinese, but don't speak a word of Chinese...

We then ended the evening in a few bars as Knutsford Terrace is a popular area for going out. Thanks to jetlag, I still wasn't tired when we got back to the hotel at about 3:00am...

Hong Kong 2013 - Day 3 - the work begins

I slept so well in the wonderfully comfy and big hotel bed. But despite about 7 hours of sleep, I was soooo tired... but a busy programme was waiting for us.

Divided into two groups, our group - with lovely Regina as our tour guide - we headed over to the island of Chek Lap Kok for a site visit of the AsiaWorld-Expo. A multi-purpose venue that offers space for exhibitions, meetings, conventions and concerts and has direct links to the airport next door. While it offers space for massive meetings - much bigger than the one we are planning - it also has a number of meeting rooms that cater for smaller meetings. The way the centre is laid out, even a smaller meeting wouldn't be lost. Despite the centre being right next to the airport, it has beautiful views of the sea and we were told that sometimes you can even see dolphins!

Next up was the Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott, just a 2 minute walk from the AsiaWorld Expo where we were personally welcomed by their General Manager. The hotel has a number of meeting rooms as well as stunning ballroom.

And finally, we went to the Regal Airport Hotel where we treated to a delicious lunch before a show-round of their meeting space.

In the afternoon, I met my contact at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong. It proved a little tricky to get there. The ladies from the tourism board had written down the address in Chinese. Unfortunately, the driver took me to the University's main campus. And he didn't speak any English. I was already running late and was starting to panic slightly when my contact called and fortunately had his English speaking PA with him who managed to guide us to the right place.
The University also offers modern meeting space - with views over the harbour! Overall, I feel that the venues we saw in Hong Kong were much better looked after than some of the places I've seen in the UK.

After our business meeting we went for dinner at the Le Meridien Cyberport. Another feast! And after only two days, I could feel how the pounds were piling on...

D*E*L*I*C*I*O*U*S

Hong Kong 2013 - Day 5: Views from above

While I am not very comfortable flying in a big plane, I was really looking forward to our helicopter ride. I've flown in a small two seater plane before, and absolutely loved it! I think it's got a lot to do with trusting the pilot and being able to communicate with the pilot.

The weather - as throughout our trip - was brilliant and apparently perfect for the flight. In groups of 4s we got on with the pilot. Everyone got a headset via which we could chat to each other as well as the pilot. The views were amazing! The sea was wonderfully blue and turquoise. The high rise buildings contrasting with the numerous small islands.

But I was a bit disappointed. I had hoped for a bit of a wild roller-coaster ride. But instead everything, including take off and landing, was incredibly smooth. Well, the three girls with me were initially quite terrified, so the pilot was doing his best to put them at ease. So, I guess suggesting to do some wild manoeuvres wouldn't have been received too well...

Taking off from the roof of the Peninsula hotel

Hong Kong 2013 - food and drinks on Day 2

From the reception at the Mira hotel, we went on to have a traditional Chinese dinner at 1881 heritage - the former Marine Police Headquarters and just a short walk from the hotel.
This was the beginning of lavish lunches and dinners every day (which led to an unfortunate weight gain...).
I quickly learned the lesson not to finish my plates - as there just too many courses!

This doesn't include the sweet and sour pork and the mango-dessert soup

After dinner, we enjoyed the views over the city from the bar in aqua. My photos didn't come out well at all - which really is a pity, as the views were overwhelmingly stunning: all the lights on the high-rise buildings - what a skyline!

Hong Kong 2013 - Day 2

The day started with breakfast on the plane:

Chocolate muffin, fruit, coffee (much needed!) and orange juice

And the hot main: frittata with bacon, tomatoes and mushrooms

We arrived around 14:00 local time, which meant 6:00 am UK time... At the airport, I decided to withdraw some extra cash. Unfortunately, that didn't work. Turns out that it is essential to tell your bank when you are going abroad... In fairness, I had tried that the previous day. But I couldn't remember (or find) my telephone banking pin and therefore couldn't contact my bank to tell them. I didn't have time to go to a branch and couldn't work out how to do it online. With hindsight that was a blessing in disguise as I didn't even spend all the HK Dollars I had already changed back in the UK. I then had to spend several minutes speaking to an automated voice from Halifax to reassure the computer that nobody had stolen my card.
Given that I pride myself on being Miss (super) Organized, I did feel rather embarrassed by this oversight of mine...

After unpacking at the hotel and checking my work emails, it was already time for the site visit of the hotel's meeting rooms and ballroom as well as the amazing, luxurious suites. It then ended with a drinks reception at vibes - the hotel's outdoor bar. 

Hong Kong 2013 - our hotel

We stayed at the Mira, on Nathan Road in the tourist district of TsimShaTsui in Kowlon. It's very central and the fact that on TripAdvisor it scores 4.5 (out of 5) from 873 reviews probably says it all - I would definitely score it a 5 out of 5! The rooms are amazing, the service is professional and very friendly and the food is delicious. One of the more special extras is a Nokia mobile phone that you can use to make local calls as well as call other hotel guests (by ringing their room number) - while out and about in the city!
I had also never seen condoms and lubrication being offered to hotel guests - but why not?! 

From the photos you may notice, that the bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a glass window. But fear not: blinds can be let down and you can also close off the sink area from the bedroom with a door. So, when sharing, it's all private (if you want it to be). 

corridor on 7th floor; all rooms have their own door bell

very comfy, huge bed - and views of the bathroom

TV, ipod docking station, free wifi are all included; room with view of the park

stylish sink

large shower with rainforest shower 'ceiling'

Yes - these are indeed condoms and lube!

Complimentary fruit plate and fudge; a box of chocolates followed (which I ate before taking a photo)

lovely scented candle

entrance and a typical HK red taxi