Two weeks ago I came face to face with a tough decision (tough at the time) when Cathay Pacific announced a dirt cheap round-trip, non-stop flight from Chicago to Hong Kong.
I haven’t been back to Hong Kong since I left in 1998, pregnant with my first child and married to someone who is no longer my husband.
Given those factors, fourteen years is a long time.
But when my mom (who is vacationing in Africa as I type) offered to stay with the kids provided we bring in some help during the day, I called my husband at work and told him of my ‘crazy’ plan. His answer?
“Hell, yeah.”
So we’re going to Hong Kong in three months. Although I never thought I wouldn’t go back, I never dreamed it would happen before my kids were old enough to get themselves dressed and fed. I couldn’t sleep the night I booked the tickets.
Although we’ll only be there for four days, I’m excited to show my husband this gorgeous city through my eyes.
If you had four days in Hong Kong, where would you go?
Great news. Hope you have time to see everything you want to. Let me know if you want a guided tour of the hills!
Thanks so much, Pete! I think walking around the urban areas will be strenuous enough, but I’ll e-mail you about meeting up. We’re going to CUHK one of those days.
Hong Kong has changed a bit in your 14-year absence. I hope your upcoming trip will see you recapture what you loved about the city as well as discover new and exciting things.
BTW, do you actually have that dragon soft toy? It’s so cool!
Thanks so much! I’m anxious to retrace my steps from the 90s to see what’s changed and what’s still there. When I looked at a restaurant list online, I was shocked to see so many that I recognized.
I don’t have the soft toy–yet! For the special Year of the Dragon fare, I was able to order one of these for free. It takes 6-8 weeks to arrive. I hope my kids don’t fight over it too much! Cathay has a drawing now until Monday, Feb. 6, in which they’re giving away 5 more of these toys. If you have Facebook, you can find the drawing information at https://www.facebook.com/cathaypacificUS
I checked their website and couldn’t find anything about this give away 🙁
Fours days?
One at Disneyland, one retracing the scenes in the “Young And Dangerous” and “Infernal Affairs” films, one eating as many different things as possible, and one where ever my wife wanted to go…
Hong Kong’s only a short flight away, it might as well be on the moon.
Sigh.
I loved “Infernal Affairs”! Back in the 90s, I would do an amateur walking tour of where “Chungking Express” was filmed. Eating is definitely top on our list.
I hope you can get back one day. Maybe Dragon Air will run a special promotion there just like Cathay did here!
Oh Susan I am so excited for you. I left Hong Kong in 1968, did not want to and have wanted to go back ever since. I’m taking my daughter with me and my one hope is that I have not built the place up to such lofty heights that she may be disappointed. I know you will just have the most marvellous time! Can’t wait to see your pics and read your blog when you return. I know your husband will love it. Who wouldn’t? How lucky is he to have the best tour guide possible for the whole trip.
Where would I go if I had only four days? Peak Tram to the top, walk down Lugard Road, No 15 bus to Central, Cat Street, ferry to Macau for the world’s best egg tarts, Ngong Ping (if it’s back in operation), Big Buddah on Lantau, Tram to Stanley, Night Market, Tea at The Pen, IFC Building for lunch on the 102nd floor (great photo op), Cheung Chau, ride the Star Ferry day and night, 8pm laser light show from the harbour….
Your cheeks will be sore from smiling. HAVE FUN!!
Thanks so much, Kirsty! I totally know how you feel, although my 14 years away can’t compare to your 44. One of my favorite memories in HK was when my mom and uncle came to visit me in 1996. We walked around Kowloon while they pointed out where such-and-such used to be in the 60s. We came to Jordan Road and my uncle said his tailor used to stand right over there–and sure enough there was Horse’s Tailor! Now you and your daughter can have the same kind of walk. It will be fun to walk around Central and see all the changes, but then run into something like Jimmy’s Kitchen, which hasn’t changed in decades! Your choices are great and I think we’ll hit all of them except Macau and probably Lantau. Not enough time 🙁