Jupiterku's Blog

Hong Kong – City of Life

jupiterku — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:50:17 +0000

The cosmopolitan city – Hong Kong, with its unique culture mixing the east and west. From a small fishing village to one of the major financial icon – The Asia World City. In this third most populated city in the world, our inhabitant share 1100 sq km as home with only 10% of flat land space. Geographically separate into 3 main parts according to different year with different area ceded and leased to the British. Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories plus 260 outlying islands surrounding HK. Also we have 44 public beaches, 23 country parks and trails to offer for relaxation. Many people would not think HK is actually the greenest city in the world.

Since HK handover from the British back to China in 1997. The government practice ‘One Country, Two System’ in this ‘Special Administration Region (SAR)’ of China. With the protection under the Basic Law preserved Hong Kong’s common-law-judicial system. It also included the rights of assembly, free speech, choice of religious belief and the right to strike etc.. HK has never been busier, now with the motherland-China as a backup. Hardworking people grow up in a bilingual environment. Experienced in communicating between Chinese and the world. HK government’s tax free policy, from import, export, re-export to retails sale. This irrepressible and singular trading city is booming again.

As a tourist, you can experience HK in many ways upon your own interest. This city is famous for its variety and flexibility. And don’t forget, HK is a 24-7 functioning party and she never sleep. Simply take the Peak tram to the Victoria Peak to view the spectacular skyline by day or night. Go to the parks where the locals practices Tai Chi, followed by a morning Dim Sum treat. Visit some of the daily markets selling Birds, Flowers, Goldfish, Jade, Wet food and Dried food. Take a boat to the Islands for biking, hiking or even camping. If you like art or culture, choose a museum or a shopping mall, cause shopping is part of HK’s culture. Family activities such as visiting the Ocean Park-sixth best theme park in the world or the Disney Land. Find a secret place for meditation in one of the 900 churches or temples. At night, a few open markets are safe and free of charges for tourist and locals. Or join the expats for dining in SOHO, you can taste any cuisine you name in HK. Of course, you can not go home without a drink in – The World of Suzie Wong- Wan Chai.

Photos Album

jupiterku — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:49:36 +0000

Fancy dress party in Wan Chai

Halloween Party in Lan Kwai Fong

October Beerfest at the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel

One of the famous building by Sir Norman Forster at Repulse Bay

A normal Friday night out in one of my favourite place

Wisdom Path at Po Lin Monastery

Sunrise in Hong Kong

The site for HK – Peking Express train to be finished in 2014

Biggest Bronze Buddha in the World at Po Lin Monastery

Out-lying Islands

jupiterku — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:10:40 +0000

The territory of Hong Kong consists of 260 outlying islands. Once you land by ferry onto one of these islands, everything become slow motion and layback. Much more slow pace and low profile than the city, with hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails, examples of some of the last remnants of traditional village life in HK.

Lantau Island, the biggest in size- almost 2 times bigger than the HK island. If you come to HK by flight, you must land on this island nowadays. Because this HK$20billions Chek Lap Kok Hong Kong International Airport voted by visitors as the best airport in the world is situated here on Lantau. Take a ride on the cable car Ngong Ping 360 to reach the 34 meters tall – world’s largest sitting bronze Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery. Regular public bus can take you to the Tai O fishing village where you can see the HK Venice as hundreds of those stilt-houses along small cannels. Local fisherman may sometimes offer you a boat trip to observe the Chinese Pink Dolphin by chance. You can rent a bicycle to ride around the Silvermine beach and Mui Wo area. Even sleep overnight at one of those vacation houses and have barbeque right next to the beach. Or simply spend a day in Disney Land or Tung Chung mall, over 100 brands outlet shops, you can shop until you drop.

Lamma Island, the third largest island after Lantau and HK Island. There are 2 main settlements on the island: Yung Shue Wan to the northwest and Sok Kwu Wan on the east coast of the island. Here on this 14sq km island, no roads or cars, leafy, low-rise Lamma makes a perfect place to find some space, peace and quiet. The only road connect the community is this 4km-long trail. You can have seafood for lunch at Sok Kwu Wan and pizza for dinner when you arrive Yung Shue Wan. On the way, stop by at a beach to enjoy a sun-bath.

Cheung Chau, translate as Long Island in Cantonese, shaped like a dumbbell with most of the action happening on the arch of the island. Here was once a refuge for pirates, the famous Cheung Po Tsai, who once commanded a fleet of 600 junks believed that some of his treasure is still remain hidden in caves here on the island. The main industry supporting the island’s inhabitants are fishing. Fishermans are very superstitious and religious. So Cheung Chau boasts several interesting temples, the most important being Pak Tai Temple, which host the annual Bun Festival. In the past, hundreds of people would scramble up to the 20 meters bamboo scaffolding tower tighten with buns all the way up. They fight and tried reach to the top bun for better luck.

Tap Mun Island, an small island off the northeast from Sai Kung Peninsula. It is perhaps the most traditional Chinese of the Outlying Islands. The whole village owns the same surname and no foreigner allow to buy property there. They all share the same ancestor hall and created their own society outside from the rest of HK. Almost half of the inhabitants on this island moved to England over the past century and come back for retirement. Almost everyone on the island speaks fluent English. The largest scale of celebration for Tin Hau’s birthday (Queen of the Goddess for fisherman), with free flow vegetarian food and drinks for 3 days, big ceremony with fireworks, puppet show and more hosted here every year. And this village sends over 20 teams for the Dragon Boat race every year for different race in HK

Others like Tung Lung Chau and Po Toi are some of the favorite island for HK serious holiday-makers for fishing. Own transportation have to be arranged before hand. Or let us know which Island you want to go and we can make a special itinerary just for you and your family.

Bar Hopping Tour

jupiterku — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:48:56 +0000

Travel to a foreign place and hang like the locals. Traveling to Hong Kong can get boring sometimes especially when you are doing all the run-of-the-mill tourist activities that 90% of tourists do. How would you like to interact and participate in activities that the locals do. If you are someone that is tired of the Lan Kwai Fong tourists scene and want to find something new and exciting to do in HK. Jupiter Ku is the guide to follow.

Our tour entertainment consists of visits to 3 different styles of Local Bars and Clubs.
We will teach you how to play Hong Kong’s most popular drinking dice games, “15,20” which is a popular hand and eye co-ordination game (trust me you’ll get better as you lose and become more intoxicated.)

Once you have master these games in a matter of minutes, you will then be able to take on the “locals”

First round of drink are provided at every club or bar we visit with the exception of one bar where is all-you-can drink. Stop paying those pricey hotel drinks and come hang with us!

This is an experience you can only get with Jupiter so come book your tour with us now.

New Territories

jupiterku — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:46:07 +0000

The New Territories was so named because the area was leased to Britain in 1898, almost half a century after the HK Island and Kowloon was ceded. Its area covers from the north of Boundary street up to the boarder with mainland China. Comprising 750 sq km, mainly mountain, nearly occupied 70% of total land area of HK. Over 4 millions people, up from less than half a million in 1970, called the NT as home. The city-rural migration begins in 1980’s. Millions of people moved from the city to these ‘New Town’ build by the government such as Sha Tin has this Horse-racetrack for 2008 Olympic Equestrian game were hosted. Tsuen Wan consumed over half a million residents, it has the largest population among the 18 district in HK. Tai Po is famous for its country parks for camping and hiking. Yuen Long have this 270-hectare nature reserve in Mai Po for protecting the ecology of the wetland. Many birds lover will come for bird-watching in the winter time. One of the government preserved historical site is located in Kam Tin-Yuen Long. This 500 years old Walled-Village surrounded by 10 meters tall black bricks were build in the Ming dynasty as a defense from the enemy

The easiest way to commute to New Territories is by train, Kowloon China Railway (KCR). Take the train to Sha Tin station to visit the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery and then you can start your biking journey along the To Lo Harbour and the Plover Cove Reservoir lead to Tai Po for hiking or visiting some of the fish farm or clans village. Make a wish at the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree or some of these few hundreds years old ancestor hall. Some villagers might even invite you to stay for a Hakka meal in their home.

Many HK residents make the New Territories their getaway for the weekend, specially Sai Kung Peninsula in the northeastern of N.T.. Some of HK most beautiful scenery and beaches are along the shoreline. Local Tycoons escape for a day playing golf in the Clearwater Bay Country Club whilst the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course are just 10mins boat ride away on another island. Hong Kong people love to surf around Sai Kung or simply rent a boat with friends or family on the weekend for fishing or water skiing. Come back at night, you can enjoy all fresh seafood in one of the hundreds of restaurants nearby the pier.

Come join our hiking instructor before you get lost in the mountain. And remember never go hiking alone. We make sure you will enjoy the walk in the easiest way but not missing the most see look-out on the way of every trail.

Kowloon

jupiterku — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:42:45 +0000

Kowloon meaning of NINE DRAGON, original covers 12sq km. Over the 150 years land reclamation and encroachment into the New Territories, it has quadrupled its size to almost 47sq km. Since the old airport Kai Tak close down in 1998, there are no longer height restrictions for building on Kowloon. One of the tallest skyscraper International Commerce Centre (ICC) with 118 stories over 500meters in height is sitting right on the waterfront of West Kowloon. Many tourists said Kowloon is more relax and it suits travelers who come for leisure. It is more down to earth and less commercial for people to enjoy real life.

If you start the walk from Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry pier along the 2km promenade, you can look back onto HK island and enjoy its startling skyline. Every night we have this largest lights show with laser perform by building along both side as free entertainment for you. Or walk up to north through Nathan road, on the way you can visit the colonial style Hotel Peninsula and the Kowloon Park. Arriving the more human-scale heighbourhood life of fresh food market to see how HK people shop every day for cooking and how the vendors manage those lives stock, Jade Market, Temple Street Night Market, Ladies Market, Flower Market, Bird Garden and Goldfish Market are all in a walking distance among each other. We suggest a Walking Tour with our expert guide throughout these area as not many people in these area speaks English or sometimes they might be offended by misunderstanding your purpose. Don’t get lost in translation!

There are many more on Kowloon. Numbers of museum, a must is to visit to the Hong Kong Museum of History. In the Museum of Art, you can find Chinese antiquities to contemporary HK arts. The Culture Centre offer you sometimes Chinese opera, symphony concert and variety choices of shows.

You can experience the economics way of travel on a double-decker or the efficient way with Metro to up town. Sham Shui Po is famous for its fabric market and electronic goods on Apliu Street. You can not been to Kowloon but not visit the Wong Tai Sin Temple. This colorful Taoist temple was build in 1921, it is the most visited temple in HK for all locals and tourists. Over 200 Fortune-teller shared this 2 stories construction created the most concentrated Fortune-teller centre in the world.

Hong Kong Island

jupiterku — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:26:13 +0000

Hong Kong Island remains as the most important part of HK as for historical, political and economic centre. The heart of HK – Central where all major business, government offices and exclusive residential neighbourhoods are found all the way up to the Victoria Peak. Many of the international corporate and skyscrapers such as Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank Corporation (HSBC), Bank of China, Jardine House, Exchange Square for stock exchange, One & Two International Finance Centre (IFC) are located right there. It was once home for many Governor before the handover in 1997 as our Government House and Legislative Council Building are also located here in Central ever since. The well-known SOHO (South of Hollywood Road) for different fusion of food throughout the mid-level whilst Hollywood Road itself is famous for antique shopping and one of the most visited temple – Man Mo Temple in HK. You may commute between Mid-level to Lan Kwai Fong with this world longest escalator total of 800 meters, it is an area where all the expats hangout with their business partners for drinks after work. Or if you are looking for unique way to party in HK, please join our Bar Hopping Tour and have more fun with the locals.

Another important area on HK Island is Wan Chai. Once it is known as for R&R for the navy or The World of Susie Wong as the Red Light District of HK. Nowadays you find this Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), a HK$46 Billions project build as the venue for the handover ceremony located on a man made island offshore. And the biggest shopping mall Pacific Place located in Admiralty with 3 of the world brand Hotels situated on top of it. One of the 2 Horse-racetrack is in Happy Valley, only a short walk from this area.

Use the oldest transportation to explore the island, Peak Tram will bring you 400 meters up on a 30 degree gradient in just 7 minutes. Regular cabled tram built in 1904 runs back and forth the east and west on the northern side of the island. It was used to be running along the waterfront before all the land reclamation. Take off at the end of the line in Kennedy Town where you find this authentic Dried Food Market selling all kinds of expensive Chinese gourmet and dried seafood. Enjoy a breath taking ride on the Victoria Harbour with the Star Ferry cruise depart from Central and Wan Chai. It’s so cheap that everyone can afford to be ride in the first class upstairs. It is definitely the best way to travel between the HK Island and the Mainland.

However, there a few old monuments, historical building and path you can follow to see some footprints of those famous people who lived in HK as a culture walk. Or visit to the original HK in Aberdeen Fishing Village over the south side of the island. You may take a 20mins boat trip (Sampan Ride) to explore inside this natural typhoon shelter. Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay beaches are along the way onto Stanley. Here you will find an open market for selling all kinds of handcraft, painting, scarf, linen, bedding and more clothing claimed they fell off from the back of the truck.