needmorevacation

Due to a flight schedule change yesterday, my Mom and I will have two free days in Hong Kong after our 'river' cruise. This is a trip that had been booked for Mom and my now-passed Dad, I'm just stepping in! We start with 3 days in Beijing (spending my 27th birthday in the Forbidden City!), fly to Xi'an 2 nights, then Lhasa 2 nights, then to Chongqing (spelling?) 4 nights on the Yangtze, followed by 3 days in Shanghai. We added on Hong Kong when I decided to join the trip in March. We'll have a bay cruise included, but that's it. (I got tired just writing that, but I'm just following along! There's nothing I can do to change the schedule!)

We'd decided on a day trip to Macau to fill up our other day, but due to the last minute changes we are now looking at an additional two days in HK unplanned! We'll be there the first week of June (yes, anyone who's read my honeymoon post- I now fly from HK-DFW landing June 6th, and fly DFW-Denpasar three short days later!)

We have a bay cruise and trip to Victoria Peak included with Uniworld.

Mom is not an adventurous eater, (like can't even have black pepper) but is open to a cooking class- most I've found you watch the cooking, which makes sense as square footage is $$$, but finding one that allows you to be hands on is preferable! Any recommendations for a restaurant would be great. I've got a craving for some Chili Crab from Sing- any chance there's a restaurant that might have something similar?

We may just be wiped at this point, but even at 65, Mom is not one to 'waste' time while traveling by sitting by a pool!

Would we have enough time (I believe 4 days total on the ground) to get a suit or two made?

I know it is very hilly, but is a walking tour possible?

Again, I appreciate all of your help!

MmePerdu

I suggest a trip to Cheong Chau Island. One of my best days in HK was spent around the harbor, then walking a path up through a residential area, out into the countryside, finding a deserted beach, a small temple then catching a boat back to the harbor. No cars, great seafood and far from the city though quite nearby.

http://www.hong-kong-traveller.com/c...l#.WQil7sm1u-w

Kathie

In the time you have, it would be difficult to get clothing made. And Hong Kong is very expensive for custom-made clothing. But if you (or your mom) is intent on getting clothing made, go to the Tailor's first thing. You can even contact them to make an appointment. The place I've used is Maxwell's in Kowloon, just a few blocks from the Star Ferry.

Sure, you can do a walking tour, but Hong Kong is very easy on your own - no need for a guide.

HappyTrvlr

Look at the website for Little Adventures in Hong Kong and send them your dining questions. They have a program where they arrange a dinner and a food fuide accompanies you to the restaurants.

MmePerdu

I think HappyTrvlr's suggestion is an excellent one. The best meal I had in several visits to HK was when I was taken to dinner by a Chinese resident acquaintance. It was a restaurant in a neighborhood I wouldn't have visited in a building on a side street I'd never have noticed, upstairs, upscale & very large and packed with local families. I think Chinese cuisine is the best and most complex in the world and we novices can never hope to find our way around it on our own, except very superficially. Hiring a guide is a great idea.

HappyTrvlr

Another vote for Xheong Chau island. Wonderful seafood restaurants line the harbor front

CanadaChinaTraveller

I can't help but comment on your itinerary, particularly your stop in Lhasa. I assume that you already know that your China visa is not sufficient to visit. You also need a special Tibet permit and need to join a tour. I also note that you go straight from Xi'an to Lhasa without any high elevation acclimatization. You should understand the health risks in doing this.
Also, once you deduct the time wasted on travel (nearly a whole day each time), you do not really have that much time in these places.

CaliforniaLady

Here's a third vote for Cheung Chau Island. It's a short boat ride away from the city, yet so enchanting and quiet. The seafood restaurant there was amazing.

You can also take the tram up to Victoria Peak, provided there is visibility, and then you can walk around up there. We also went to the Hong Kong zoo, but I thought it was nothing spectacular.

I'm so sorry about the untimely loss of your Dad. However, that's wonderful that you are going with your Mom as a "proxy." Let us know how your trip went--we have all missed your posts.

needmorevacation

Thank you all!

Will for sure add Cheung Chau Island to our itinerary! Mom's friend who grew up in HK got us a reservation Hutong one evening- views are supposed to be spectacular!

Kathie- we'll rethink the tailor, I doubt we'll be up for 'hustling' to do anything at this point!

California Lady- I will be sure to give a post-trip update upon our return!

CanadaChina- I guess I wasn't super clear- we're booked start to finish (minus two solo days in HK now) with Uniworld on a 'river cruise', which unlike their European itineraries, has most of our time spent on land. We have a tour guide and 'cruise' director the entire trip, and they have obtained tibetan entry permits on our behalf, using our Chinese visas. I agree this is a fast trip, but 1)it's a pre-planned tour 2)not a tour I chose, as CaliLady worded- I'm a proxy. I'm just happy to be going along at no cost!

Thank you all again!!