DonTopaz

Bravo for figuring out how to adapt as your world changes. Yes, it can be extremely irritating during the figuring-out process, but there it is. Sounds like you have a heroic travelmate, as well.

Hong Kong does a have a very special character, unlike anywhere else, does it not? It's a combination of Asian big city frenzy, business tycoons each trying to build a skyscraper taller than their rival did, plus a non-stop onslaught of sights and smells.

Kathie

I'm glad you've been able to make modifications to your travel routine so you can go and enjoy even though you do less and do it slower.

There is a very nice museum on the Kowloon side right on the waterfront that you and Beth would enjoy. It will be even better if it's hot and humid, since it is well air-conditioned.

Gpanda

On Tuesady, we went out walking even though it was saining. We picked up on the Frommers walk. First we went to the China Construction Bank to get some cash. I was given a choice of HKD or RMB. No keyboard, so I was unable to send rhem my thoughts.

Went to the Western Market. The first floor was soulless. The second floor was all shops with bolts of cloth. No one asked me about suits, so I assumed they were not tailors. In whole, I would give this a miss.

On to Man Wa Road and the shops of chops. Nothing different than Beijing, so I would give thie a miss.

Next on the tour was the bird shop and snake shop. No bird shop to be found, but there was construction on sevetal shops, so it may be gone, the snake shop had people waiting for doses and a guy reaching into wooden drawers to get the particular item sought.

We began to walk up to Hollywood Road when Beth suggested a massage. Got one on Queen's Road, it was great. Really loosened me up. The whole staff loved the muscle trick.

Up to Soho to wander among the upscale boutiques. Nothing in panda style or size. Ate lunch at Lil' Siam on Elgin St, I had a good Rad Nar and Beth had good Fried Rice. Walked down to Queen's Road and a taxi back to the hotel.

Gpanda

For dinner, I wanted Italian. Only good fortune kept us from falling prey to a Kimball trick. We asked the concierge to write the address and when he called, it was closed with a branch now open on the Kowloon side. He recommended Isola in the IFC Mall and off we went.

This mall was very high end with young, well-dressed men and women. The restaurant was hopping, but they gave us a table near the door. The whole time we were there people flitted to and fro with lots of European kiss/kissing. The chef/owner talked out front the entire time we were there.

Beth had an ordinary Arugula salad. I had a very good strozopretti with asparagus and beth had a very good Fresh Pea Soup. It's worth a stop for the people-gazing.

On entering we had seen a lengyjt taxi line at the amll entrance, so we went to the Four Seasons at the end of the mall and quickly caught a taxi back.

Switching to Sheraton later today. Don't know about internet access.

mohan

You can easily find distilled water in HK. Hotels and the better restaurants cater to tourists serve distilled water I believe. The bottle usually says 'Watsons'.
Ginger is great to counteract nauseaness. Research shows that ginger works better than medication according to my doctor. I am sure you can get a cup of ginger tea made of fresh ginger for room service. You can also get ginger candy for the road, my favorite kind is the soft candy made in Indonesia wrapped in blue, white and red paper.

kmkrnn

The thypoon is just about over according to the Globe this am ..Yes it made the paper here it is so bad. You picked a good week to go. Weather here has been beautiful. How is the Sheraton? Rooms small or decent size? Try the ginger tea for your nausea.

bookchick

Good reporting. Glad to hear you're adapting. The difference between "loser" and "winner" is that when a loser is knocked down, they stay down. A winner picks themselves up again. You've kept going, and it's beautiful to me. Hope you do get a beautiful view of Kowloon.

Hope you're able to report some more before your trip ends, but if not, I know we'll hear back from you as soon as you have access to a computer.

BC

robmac

I think that we will have to start calling you Trooper Panda for all the fortitude that you are showing. Glad to hear that you and Beth are enjoying yourselves.

SiamKitty

Sheraton internet is akin to being good.

Gpanda

I ate a more full breakfast and Beth had her usual breakfast and 1/2, Packed, internet and went over to the Kowloon Sheraton about 11:30 am. Thy had a room available for us and we went right uostairs. Room caoparison is that while the Courtyard room was a bit larger the Sheraton room is slightly more funcional. In C, e two small armchairs. At the S, one large chair w/ottoman. Rge view from the S is of central, much better than the C. The C was a little more contemporary, but both were solid. No executive club available at S. We'll have to forage for breakfast. The ride took 25 minutes and cost 127 HKD with 70 HKD for tunnel. Almost all highway.

Wandered around looking for a laundry. Found Happy Laundry on Hart Lane, off of Mody. Went back to hotel and got laundry. They said it would be ready in 2 hours and they were open until 8:00 pm.

Went to Spring Deer for the duck. Unfortunately I had another Laotian episode. I will explain because it happened twice now. In Laos, I was nauseous and vomiting uncontrollably. It happened once at bteakfast here and again at the Spring Deer. So no duck or anything for me. Beth ate 1/2 duck and said it was very good, but not as good as the obe we had in Beijing.

Walked back to the hotel and my stomach quieted down. Befoe my illness, I niver vomited. Ever. Now, when I take twp chemo treatments (5 days out of 28) my stomach is very iffy for the 4th and 5th days. Don't care. It takes strong drugs to fight cancer.

Went out for a short stroll on the promenade behind the HK Museum. Talked at length with an Australiab couple and exchanged E-mails. Beth's search for nail glue went unsatisfied.

One thing we noticed was that HK and Kowloon were full of high end European cars and Toyota Cambrys and Acuras. This is in sharp contrast to Shanghai and Beijing where almost all the cars had Chinese brand names.

DonTopaz

Nail glue: there's a Watson's on the opposite side of Nathan Rd from the Sheraton, about a block or two toward Mongkok (away from the harbour). They might fill the bill.

On my 1st trip to HK, my Former Beloved and I went to Spring Deer for the Peking Duck, and it was not an overly pleasant experience. We both thought the duck was way too fatty (though we were later told that's considered to be ok in Cantonese cuisine), but the real turn-off was watching the wait staff hock lungas into the tray where used plates got stashed.

rhkkmk

ok, now we have a choice....staff spitting on the trays or gpanda throwing up all over the table, patrons and beth...your choice...

i'll take the spitters...

great deal at ROS: $66/night incl tax/service and breakfast...they must be in trouble for sure... is it the bedbugs or the brown water, or some other unknown problem...

LAleslie

I've become ill just reading this.

mohan

What about some typical Cantonese food like steam fish and saute vegetables with less oil? Congee (rice soup) is easier for digestion. It's the best comfort food you can find in HK.

rhkkmk

common sense, but remember who you are dealing with....

Smeagol

Sorry to hear you have been feeling ill Andy, hope the nausea passes.

travelmbs

Enjoying your wonderful trip report! You might consider the YMCA for breakfast. The cafe is not bad! Also, stop by a grocery, wellcome or park n shop, where ever is convenient and pick up a tube of McVities digestive biscuits. Eat one or two in-between meals so that you don't have an empty stomach for too long. These are easy to carry in a baggie if you have one - or you can buy the box of "to go" packs that are easier to take with you. I think its 4 crackers in each pack. Should help!
Now that you are in Kowloon, please tell us how you are handling those "suit mister?" "handbag madam?" "copy watch?" guys! Enjoy!!

bookchick

Gpanda, you are my hero. I rarely use the word "awesome" because its use has become so commonplace that for me for a while, it had no meaning. But when I use it, I mean it, and you are absolutely awesome.

BC

rhkkmk

nothing better than mcvites digestives....lots of fibre and delicious...

mohan

mcvites digestives is a good choice. If you don't feel like sweet, you can get some HK made soda crackers. There is a variety of toppings like black sesame, white sesame, seaweed etc. They tastes better than the saltine crackers here in the States.