Singapore or Hong Kong
May 28th, 2016, 10:59 AM
#21
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I have not. After researching it, we decided that Georgetown Penang had more to offer. If I had a lot of time in Singapore, and was bored with the big city, I think it is worth a visit. I wouldn't make a special trip.
Have you been to Georgetown, Penang, Larry? We love it there - World Heritage city, wonderful mix of cultures, and is often named as the place with the best hawker food. You can fly to Penang from Singapore (or KL). I don't know that there are any non-stops from Hong Kong.
Friends of ours decided to make a two night stop in Malacca between KL and Singapore and left after one night, saying they felt one afternoon there was plenty. You may have had a different experience.
Have you been to Georgetown, Penang, Larry? We love it there - World Heritage city, wonderful mix of cultures, and is often named as the place with the best hawker food. You can fly to Penang from Singapore (or KL). I don't know that there are any non-stops from Hong Kong.
Friends of ours decided to make a two night stop in Malacca between KL and Singapore and left after one night, saying they felt one afternoon there was plenty. You may have had a different experience.
May 28th, 2016, 11:31 AM
#22
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No we haven't been to Malaysia at all. When we were in Singapore a friend I have from KL came down and he mentioned Malacca. He said it was a city with a lot of history. I looked it up too and it seemed interesting but also seems a day or two,at most is enough.
It's good to know that about Georgetown Penang as I hope to get to SE Asia again someday. I would love to see Hanoi and Ha Long bay.
Cheers, Larry.
.
It's good to know that about Georgetown Penang as I hope to get to SE Asia again someday. I would love to see Hanoi and Ha Long bay.
Cheers, Larry.
.
May 28th, 2016, 11:50 AM
#23
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Malaysia has some fascinating places to visit. As mentioned, we loved Georgetown, Penang. We also loved our time in Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak). We spent a week in Hanoi, but opted against Halong Bay.
May 29th, 2016, 12:46 PM
#29
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Have been only once, to both, 2.5 yrs ago. HOPE i can return to HK for a five days some time!!! Singapore: pretty, clean, modern,but just deoesnt call out in the same way to me. Agree with Jobin, above. Singapore is known as the most western of the Asian capitals. IF that is what you want, go for it. Malls malls malls in high rise towers and along the main street. Lots of hiking trails on elevated sidewalks, beautiful botanic gardens, local neighborhoods.
t I LOVE HK because it is so easy to escape the commercialized tourist areas (which are interesting...but busy!) and get a convenient, quick local ferry to one of the small surrounding islands with their villages--or, as Jobin mentioned easy to get places (like Sai Kung with its fish restaurants and weekend water-side market) via metro and bus. the busses themselves are great fun--double deckers, some with TVs! Easy to get off the "beaten path" of the tour guide book Have a wander, five minutes away from the centers. and you've got peace and quiet and a local feel--eg Stanley--go down the path along the sea to a little temple in a hillside; Tai O--wander away from the interesting market, but then , away from crowds, take the path along the sea past local cafes and to the small hotel at the peninsula point for a cuppa tea. Darn, wish I were returning soon!! Sigh...
I'm guessing the "tex" in your name means you are from Texas?? (I love Texas!! )IF you had to compare: SG is Houston/central Dallas (the latter with more and more revitalized local interesting neighborhoods--which SG has too); HK is big-city too, but with its local "feel" seaside places, as if Fulton Harbor ( Aransas County) were just a short boat ride away from Houston!
Your cruise route sounds fantastic, MaryAnn!! have a fantastic time!!!!!!
t I LOVE HK because it is so easy to escape the commercialized tourist areas (which are interesting...but busy!) and get a convenient, quick local ferry to one of the small surrounding islands with their villages--or, as Jobin mentioned easy to get places (like Sai Kung with its fish restaurants and weekend water-side market) via metro and bus. the busses themselves are great fun--double deckers, some with TVs! Easy to get off the "beaten path" of the tour guide book Have a wander, five minutes away from the centers. and you've got peace and quiet and a local feel--eg Stanley--go down the path along the sea to a little temple in a hillside; Tai O--wander away from the interesting market, but then , away from crowds, take the path along the sea past local cafes and to the small hotel at the peninsula point for a cuppa tea. Darn, wish I were returning soon!! Sigh...
I'm guessing the "tex" in your name means you are from Texas?? (I love Texas!! )IF you had to compare: SG is Houston/central Dallas (the latter with more and more revitalized local interesting neighborhoods--which SG has too); HK is big-city too, but with its local "feel" seaside places, as if Fulton Harbor ( Aransas County) were just a short boat ride away from Houston!
Your cruise route sounds fantastic, MaryAnn!! have a fantastic time!!!!!!
Jun 22nd, 2016, 02:25 PM
#30
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Hi Hong Kong gets my vote. Just not as clinical as Singapore, which is in my view a little sanitised. and too clean.
Hong Kong has some rough edges still which gives it character and life. Loads to see and do. Prefer to stay Kowloon near to Nathan Road, just has in my view a better feel to it. The streets are just so alive at night. Not as cheap a it used to be but where is these days.
The harbour view at night is one of life's experiences- from Kowloon and the Peak
Hong Kong has some rough edges still which gives it character and life. Loads to see and do. Prefer to stay Kowloon near to Nathan Road, just has in my view a better feel to it. The streets are just so alive at night. Not as cheap a it used to be but where is these days.
The harbour view at night is one of life's experiences- from Kowloon and the Peak
Sep 1st, 2016, 01:35 AM
#31
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Hello, I'm a local Hong Kong person so I can give you very local information about Hong Kong. The winter in Hong Kong is great and not that cold, if you can arrive Hong Kong at the day around 25-27th of January in 2017, few days before lunar new year. you can enjoy our lunar new year "flower market", with a lot of interesting things to buy and see, definately not only flowers. Lunar new year is a big thing for us so you will be unforgettable. Also, remind you that better not to visit during the first three days of lunar new year, 28th to 30th January, because all the shops will be closed. For sightseeing, I highly recommend some small islands like Cheung Chau and Lantau island. The Peak and big Buddha is good but you have to know how crazy many people will be there. Shopping malls are everywhere, Mongkok, Causeway bay and TST are quite famous shopping districts
