I have been reading all the things I should do and not do in Hong Kong, such as don't eat salad or drink the water. But I just had a horrifying thought, what about COFFEE. Life does not begin without coffee. Can anyone help me out? Patty

Hi Patty,<BR><BR>The higher end restaurants will serve raw fruit and vegetables and drinking water that should be perfectly safe. You can also buy bottled water almost anywhere you go - a good idea if you are visiting during the hot season which runs from May to September-October. Remember that Hong Kong is very crowded and in general most of the inhabitants follow reasonable hygiene (at least for themselves)- so the majority of restaurants and stores would be subject to health inspections. I would stay away from the outdoor food stalls and the smaller establishments (and especially so if they don't look clean). There are lots of fast food franchises such as Macdonalds, Pizza Patio, and KFC which I believe serve salads.<BR><BR>As for COFFEE - there are quite a few Starbucks outlets as well as other coffee bars and expresso outlets. Check the Starbucks locations at www.starbucks.com by selecting Hong Kong under "locations".<BR><BR>Regards,<BR>Bart

I happily slurped down Starbucks in Kowloon, across the street from the Peninsula and the Salisbury YMCA. And, I drank bottled water.

Whatever happened to the "... when in Rome ... "philosophy of travel? How about trying tea when in China ???<BR><BR>Live on the wild side, Patty. Forego the Starbucks for a change.<BR>

I think you read was trying to say, "Don't drink tap water," as tap water is not good for drinking in Hong Kong. <BR>Coffee, like others have said, can be found at Starbucks and many other local places. I have never heard of the salad thing, but I think you won't as many varieties (things like Greeak salads). <BR>Hong Kong is a very westernized place, you can pretty much find anything you can get from home; mainland China would be a different story.

I have always brushed my teeth with tap water in HK and never had a problem. I have also eaten raw fruit and salad there (but always in the top-tier restaurants and hotels). HK is not a third-world entity, and I have never heard anyone tell me they were sick there (and I know hundreds of friends who have been to HK). I would relax if I were you, Patsy.

I've been to Hong Kong four years in a row 98-99-00-01 and plan to return again in the fall. My hotel served fresh fruit at the breakfast buffet which I had every day. Never did I have any indigestion. Drank coffee everyday as well. No problems. I would not buy food from a street stand in some out-of-the-way neighborhood - buit I wouldn't do that in New York either.<BR><BR>Michael<BR><BR>Michael

Thanks so much for all the super replys.<BR>When in Rome ,do as the Romans? Well I do plan to do that and I will gladly drink tea during the day, but first thing in the morning I need my coffee fix. Is there life before coffee?<BR>As for the fruits and salads, I was certainly misinformed so glad to know I don't have to give them up while I'm over there Thanks Again Patty