dave

Going to Hong Kong soon. Would like to hire a professional guide who speaks excellent English. Please post the name and contact info here if you have someone to recommend. We are not into shopping, so no chance for the guide to get kickbacks from tourist shops but we are willing to pay top dollars for truly outstanding service.

fiona

We were in Hong Kong last summer. I would suggest that you don't need a guide to get the most from Hong Kong. A good guide book with suggested itineries is all we had. ( Whereas we went to Bangkok after and really needed a guide there.)It is easy to get around using the MTR( underground rail system) and you can be from one place to the next in minutes. You never wait more than 3 minutes for a train .I also found the people to be really helpful. Every single time we stopped somewhere to look at a map someone stopped and asked if they could help( and didn't have a sales pitch!)<BR>Apart from the usual places to see( easily found through a search here) go to the Central Market - but only if you have a strong stomach;the Museum of history is a gem- we went and thought we would be there for an hour or so and spent almost the whole afternoon. There are models of a sampan, different homes through the ages, and an entire street from the 19th century. You will obviously go to Aberdeen but make time to go across from the harbour into Aberdeen itself for a real taste of how the locals live. A real must is an early morning walk round Victoria Park. You will see loads of people doing Tai chi.It is fascinating( by 8.30ish most of it is over)<BR>Our best day was actually one when we'd planned to go to the Peak and it was overcast. We just took the MTR and explored different areas in Hong Kong.BTW we were not into shopping either but enjoyed Stanley Market, which is easy to reach by bus. The journey itself is interesting. Plan to stop at Aberdeen on the way back.<BR>Honestly , you don't need a guide in Hong Kong.<BR>In case you decide you still a need a guide and don't get any names here the HK tourist board number is 28076177. Enjoy Hong Kong!<BR>

John

Why did you need a guide in Bangkok? It is easy to get around too.

fiona

John<BR>In our case we had only 2 full days there and didn't want to waste any of it. Transport in BK is not as easy as in HK!!

kh

Another reason to have a car and ENglish-speaking driver in Bangkok you'll have someone waiting with the AC churning while you shop/sightsee/eat. It's not that costly and it is an accepted way of life in Asian countries. I often arrange this with the hotel or sometimes you can go out into the cab ranks and make a deal with the fellow with the nicest car and best English.

Susan

Hi.<BR>I agree with Fiona. We spent five days in Hong Kong on our own. We used both buses and trains to get around. The Hong Kong Tourist office is a good place to start. It was there that we got the bus schedules and routes and the same for the trains. They will also give you a list of activities that you can attend that they sponsor and brochures on the various museums, etc.<BR>I don't know your age. But the Star Ferry is free for seniors and buses, restaurants, theatre, etc. have what is called concessionary prices for seniors. You usually have to request this rate, but it is about 50% off the regular fee. We stayed in Kowloon and were very happy with this choice.<BR>Hope this helps.

Barbara

We just returned 2 days ago from Hong Kong. On our first day, we took a 3-4 hour tour that came highly recommended with Grayline Tours. It was a basic tour that hit all the key sites we were most interested in. After that, we had 3 days on our own to enjoy without a sense of urgency to sightsee constantly. We booked it through our hotel. There were no shopping stops on the tour.

lita

You do not need a guide in Hong Kong. Most people speak English, buses and trains can take you almost everywhere. All you need is a guide book and map, plan your itinerary before you leave the hotel every morning, ask the receptionist to show you the way to your destination of the day. <BR>There are few places you should not miss:<BR>-a Peak Tram ride to the peak<BR>-ferry between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon at night<BR>-visit one of the outlaying islands<BR>-visit the largest Budda in the world in Lantau Island <BR>-eat as much as you can!<BR><BR>Good luck, sure you will enjoy your days in Hong Kong.<BR>