Hong Kong

The room was a smoking room, but the smell from the previous occupants was a little stronger than one usually expects in hotel rooms. That said though, the Ramada is a perfectly presentable hotel, clean and hygienic with a great location right at the south end of Chatham Road - a two minute walk away from the spectacular harbour.

This cheap (by HK standards) hostel on the Kowloon side of the water is just a two minute walk away from Chatham Road (the central street in Kowloon).

It's cleaned daily and the owners are friendly enough. My dorm had four bed, fridge, phone, and TV.

For the money it's pretty good quality.

In the evenings Temple Street in Kowloon comes alive with a night market selling everything from fake designer bags to, erm, fake designer watches. It's a fun place to be -- especially for the food options.

There's absolutely nothing fancy, just street stalls, but most vendors set up some tables and chairs for customers. Hygene isn't the highest priority, but despite saying that, I ate there for a week without any bad effects. The food is proper, traditional Chinese, but it's the opportunity to eat it with the locals who gather to gossip and sink Tiger beers that make it such a special memory.

The Temple Street market is a tourist trap, but the food stalls seem to still be catering for the people of Kowloon so it's worth building in an evening visit -- and it's as cheap as can be (even though you'll probably get charged a bit more than the locals.)

Ocean Park is half theme park, half zoo. It's built on the side of a hill so you get some amazing views over Aberdeen and Victoria harbour.

Most of the rides are excellent, especially as their position on the hill adds to the feeling of height. That said, by the end of the day your legs will be so tired from continually walking up and up that you'll understand why it's more conventional to build these places on the flat!

This is a Hong Kong must do. I walked up in jeans and trainers and wasn't questioned, but due to the kind of people the bar attracts I did wish I looked a touch smarter.

Anyway, the drinks are expensive, but the view is priceless. You look out over the harbour and the lights of the skyscrapers on the Hong Kong Island side of the harbour.

That view should be enough for anybody, but gentlemen get a little extra. I'm not going to say exactly what it is, as the surprise is half the fun, but make sure that you pop into the restroom before you leave. I bet you'll laugh, and I guarantee you'll tell your friends.