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After a whirlwind book tour in Europe and a week of stuffing myself with pastries in Paris, I made my way back towards Australia via Hong Kong, one of the most logical stopovers when journeying from Australia to Europe (along with Singapore).

With just 48 hours in the city and jet lag weighing my down, I was surprised to see how much I could fit in to such a short visit! If you also find yourself in Hong Kong for such a short space of time, here’s a complete itinerary to match (with some options, depending on how many times you have visited!)

Check In: Hong Kong Island VS. Kowloon 

There are two main options when you arrive in Hong Kong: to stay “on the island” or to stay in Kowloon (the huge landmass on the other side of the water, connected to mainland China). To be completely honest with you, I love both and each for different reasons.

Hong Kong Island has the benefit of centrality, being within walking distance of many of the cities’ main attractions. Much of the island does have more of a financial vibe, with much of the business for Hong Kong operating out of Central. On the other hand you have Kowloon, offering a more authentic stay just minutes to the local markets and right “in the thick of it”.

On this trip I checked in to the Kerry Hotel, a new hotel located away from the hustle and bustle, with a view of the entire harbour. Other hotels I have really enjoyed are the Landmark Mandarin Oriental (a fashion bloggers’ dream), the Four Seasons Hotel (one of the best views of Kowloon from the Island), The Ritz Carlton (one of the highest hotels in the world – you literally wake up in the clouds) and a handful of 3-4 star hotels on Nathan Road from my days before blogging (all which were fantastic but none of which I remember the name).

Get your Bearings: Take the Peak Tram!

You can’t come to Hong Kong and not visit Victoria Peak, the iconic mountain overlooking Hong Kong Island below and with uninterrupted views of Kowloon Harbour. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for mountain mansions as you journey up the peak, where house prices fetch the multi-millions (some of the most expensive real estate in the entire world!)

Grab Some Lunch at Cat Street

Bang in the expat-heavy part of town is Cat Street, which has nonetheless retained its authenticity offering local handicrafts, souvenirs, and plenty of great food to sink in to. The food is not quite as local as the neighbourhood has maintained itself, largely due to the expat population and a logical sense to offer more Western foods in the area (but thankfully most of these are Asian-Western fusions and usually really clever and original in their approach).

Catch the Star Ferry to Kowloon

No matter how many times I have visited Hong Kong and will continue to visit in to the future, I could never tire of the views and serenity when cruising from the island to Kowloon for a very reasonable price of less than $1 return.

Walk along the Kowloon Harbour

The Avenue of Stars is as tacky and kitsch as it sounds, but it does still offer one of the best views of the city skyline! I would recommend arriving in time for sunset and watching the city evolve from day to night. Bring along a picnic if you wish and watch the light show unfold at 8:00pm every evening.

Night Markets in Mong Kok

After the peace and serenity of the harbour, switch things up a gear and make your way by MTR to Mong Kok, home to Hong Kong’s famous night markets. Over the years I have admittedly fallen out of love with the products (mostly cheap copies of brand items, phone cases and souvenir t-shirts, but the experience itself is still as fun as ever.

The most famous night markets are Temple Street Night Market and Ladies Market, but during the day check out Fa Yuen Street, the Fish Market and the Flower Market for something a little different.

Day 2: Visit an Outlying Island

Experiencing Hong Kong is as much about escaping it as it is visiting the city itself, if only for a day or an afternoon! Much of the beauty of Hong Kong lies outside of the city centre, with oodles of hikes, beaches and natural beauty to discover. If this is your first trip to Hong Kong you should make Lantau Island your first stop, as it is here where you will see the famous Bronze Buddha up close and experience more of Hong Kong’s ancient cultures and traditions.

If you have already visited Lantau, the options are endless! Lamma Island is another great half day trip for a more relaxed escape from the city and beautiful beaches that will make you forget the hustle and bustle in no time at all.

Dinner at Ho Lee Fook

On this most recent trip I found a new favourite dinner place in Central, thanks to my friend Morgan who has been living in Hong Kong the past year and has discovered the best that the city has to offer right now (it is always changing so so quickly).

This was hands down one of my favourite dining experiences in Hong Kong, and believe me when I say there are a lot to compare to! The food was exceptional – lots of Asian flavours, a quirky cocktail menu and low-key environment in a dimly lit basement.

The options to keep one entertained in Hong Kong are quite literally limitless and impossible to list in full detail. Here are some of my other favourite things to do that might take your fancy, depending on what you want from your time in Hong Kong!

Disneyland – Great for the young ones (or young at heart!) Very easy to reach by train.

Ocean Park – Hong Kong’s famous water theme park (with temperamental ride opening days – beware!)

Stanley Market – A really nice day trip out of town but the market itself is pretty kitsch, albeit slightly less so than the Mong Kok offerings.

Causeway Bay – A really nice neighbourhood to explore with great small cafes and cheaper accommodation offerings.

Macau – One of my favourite day trips just a 45 minute ferry away. Regarded as the “Las Vegas of the East” (but a much cleaner version).

Central – One of my favourite neighbourhoods to wander with so many cool up-and-coming cafes and quirky eateries.

I visited Hong Kong as a stopover on my way from Europe back to Australia with Finnair. The flight time from Helsinki to Hong Kong is around 10 hours, followed by the 8 hour journey back to Melbourne. If you’re looking to switch your body clock back before returning home, Hong Kong is just two hours behind Australia, making for the perfect stopover city between Oz and Europe.

Each year I make what has unintentionally become an annual pilgrimage to Paris. As if I need an annual ‘hit’ of the city that inspires me most, I conjure up any and every excuse to visit and spend months planning all the new eateries I will visit (which more often than not are patisseries). Below you will find snapshots of my week in Paris this month, where I pushed the boundaries of sweet tooth, burned my way through a pair of shoes from so much walking, and finally had the chance to visit the Gardens of Versailles, which were closed on my last visit in the unseasonal month of January. So, here we go! As per usual, you’ll find all my camera/lens details at the bottom of the post and commentary throughout should you wish to visit the same places. Enjoy! Old vs. New. It is no secret I visit Angelina on every trip to Paris, but on this trip I was excited to find new finds, especially if they were less talked about or written about in magazines. Au Petit Versailles was one such fab little find in Le Marais. The quiches made for a perfectly cheap breakfast each morning! Spring […]

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It has been a while since I’ve checked in to a new hotel in Hong Kong, having gotten so comfortable with my home-away-from-home favourites! But on this trip I wanted to make sure I had the chance to explore somewhere new, and what better time to do so than a few weeks after the official opening of the Kerry Hotel Hong Kong, the more youthful range of hotels from Shangri-La. True to the style of big name brand hotels in Hong Kong, the Kerry Hotel resembles a royal residence as you enter the lobby, opening up in to incredibly high ceilings and a maze of gardens out in the courtyard. The first thing I noticed was in fact all the greenery, from living plants at the reception check-in to the impressive outdoor terrace with a complete view of Kowloon Harbour to one side and Hong Kong Harbour to the other (absolutely magical at night – don’t miss it!) I checked in in the late afternoon after a 10 hour flight from Finland, so was eager to unwind before making any drastic moves to venture out and more than likely fall asleep on the MTR en route to my destination. After […]

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  New to Paris: The Nolinski Hotel As one of the newest hotels in the city of Paris, The Nolinski is a rarity in Parisian design & decor. The hotel is super swanky with a hint of New York glam circa 1929, with an effortlessly chic approach to modern luxe accommodations. For those looking to combine sightseeing with a staycation, there is a large indoor swimming pool, spa, and a total of 3 restaurants at the hotel. The in-room breakfast was top class, though it is next to impossible to find a bad breakfast in Paris when you consider it the capital of croissants and my (new favourite) pain au chocolat! Checking In: The Gustave Suite Named after Gustave Eiffel, an engineer who designed and oversaw the construction of the Eiffel Tower, this is the only room in the hotel that captures a glimpse of the eiffel tower (albeit a small one, it is still there!) The suite is incredibly spacious for Parisian standards, with a separate bedroom, large bathroom, separate toilet, and sitting area with a full size mini bar and large couch (so large that I wished I had company to make use of the room!) Location & […]

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A walk through the Louvre, an elevator up the Eiffel Tower and a gruelling climb up the stairs to the Arc De Triomphe. Is this the Paris you have planned to visit? For my umpteenth visit to Paris I decided it was time to check off all the “hot spots” I was yet to visit and finally be able to say I had seen the Mona Lisa up close and to walk the hallowed halls of the world’s most renowned museum. Years ago I was standing in a 2 hour line to climb the Notre Dame Cathedral with my partner when I noticed a family of four flash a fancy card and gain immediate, complimentary access. Magic! I have since researched the Paris Pass and decided it was my golden ticket to fast track my way about town, finally ticking off all the attractions I was yet to visit. So, what’s the verdict? Is the Paris Pass worth the money? The Paris Pass Price & What’s Included Lets talk money matters first, because what’s the point in buying a Paris Pass if you’re not going to make use of it? The cost of the Paris Pass is: 2 Days: €110 […]

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When I first visited Versailles some five years ago on my first (ever) solo trip overseas, I arrived in mid-January to a chilling -3 degrees, lifeless and almost gloomy Palace of Versailles. Though I still fell in love with Versailles (who could not!?), I was disappointed not to be able to walk in the grounds and experience the gardens, which are as much an attraction as the interior of the palace itself. But alas, rewards come to those who wait! Five years later and I recently found myself on a trip to Versailles with fellow Australian Lisa (The Wandering Lens), on a photographic journey with our sponsor Olympus Australia. For years I have been using Olympus cameras and for years I have been fumbling around the camera’s settings like a kid in a candy store, discovering new ways to photograph better as I keep travelling the world. But when I was offered the chance to meet Lisa, a trained photographer with decades of experience, I couldn’t say no! Shooting Indoors vs Shooting Ourdoors As someone who once shot on “auto mode” (alas, not for the last few years) I feel it is my duty to share some super duper basics […]

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You may have noticed I’ve been a little quietly lately on the life updating front, but that comes with good reason in the form of an ongoing house renovation, new business venture, and keeping up with my bakery business all the while adventuring around the world at a current rate of one trip every month! Last month my partner and I finally made our kitchen renovation a reality, after talking about it and planning for nearly 12 months. Before I go any further, let me tell you now, you MUST SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE BEFORE PHOTOS because boy did we come a long way in just a few weeks!!! To make our renovation worth while, we knocked out a wall in the kitchen to open up the room and create an open living space. The end goal was to create a more welcoming entertaining space so that we could enjoy the kitchen/living area when entertaining our friends and family. For the colour scheme we wanted to keep our kitchen light, bright, simple and neutral. I’m not one for colours at the best of times, so we stuck to whites, creams, black hardware and created a bit of warmth with […]

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