International Marketing Study Program 2003
Hong Kong Social Days
4-5 January 2003
After what has seemed like endless months of waiting and preparing for the trip, we were finally off on the night of the 3rd of January. A number of family members and friends came to Melbourne Airport to bid us all a fond farewell. As we finished kissing our loved ones goodbye we began to establish new relationships with each other and even some of the duty free staff (Rosemary in particular). But alas they too were left behind (but not forgotten) as we sped towards our flight to begin our lengthy nine hour trip to Hong Kong.
And this is where we began our intensive 36-hour day. It started in Kowloon, with a check-in at the hotel after Patty the tour bus organiser had dropped us off. At 9ish we left to begin a whirl wind tour of Hong Kong which was organised by George (thanks George!). The trip involved a journey to Hong Kong Island (the main part of Hong Kong) via the ferry which had definitely been a relic from old English times. The actual city itself is amazing and full of life and left many of us dumbfounded and in awe at this city which is so vastly different from anything in Australia. Hong Kong is really a necessary stop for anyone who wants to experience what Asia has to offer.
The tour included a trip to Victoria Peak which offers a magnificent view of the whole city and the harbour. We also enjoyed a banquet lunch on the 60th floor of the Hopewell Centre also offering great views of the city and of the magnificent food that Hong Kong has to offer. We also spent a lot of time walking in and around the whole city to ensure that we could get a real feel for the whole place.
This leads us onto Saturday night... It all began, harmlessly enough, with a stroll down to the local Karaoke parlour where several lovely renditions of many of everyone's favourite songs were belted out, both on and off of the tables. With Sandra and Michael topping the night off with "I got you babe" originally written by Sunny and Cher but given new meaning and depth by Michael and Sandra. From Karaoke it was decided that we should all scrutinize Hong Kong's night life. The rest of the facts are hazy but I do remember Kwai Lai Fong and 3am so it must have been a good night.
The rest of the weekend was filled with vast amounts of Retail Therapy and sight seeing. The therapy ranged from street markets to my personal favourite Giordano and everything in between. The nights were filled with a mix of several local foods and beverages (Sandra says thanks Robert Dan for the introduction to mango sago, and fish balls and dim sim skewers).
All in all, Hong Kong was amazing and a great way of starting off our whirlwind Global Tour. And as I sit here in the Qantas Club lounge in Amsterdam writing this report I can only wonder what is to become of our band of rugged wanderers and what adventures will we stumble upon next. Until then…
Tune in next time for further details!
Click on each picture for a larger view.
|
