3 whirlwind days in Hong Kong

We took the marathon route to get there (ferry over from Central was fine, but had to wait an hour on the bus to get to Big Buddha from the ferry terminal and when it came it was bit ropey and took an age to get there) but so worth it - gorgeous, the silhouette against the hills is amazing. The best way to get there is not the way we went (which was all I could find in guide books and online), you can actually just get the MTR from Central to Tung Chung and then get the Ngong Ping Skyrail up to Big Buddha - we only found this out because we did it on the way back - the skyrail is amazing too!

A beautifully restored junk boat that leaves from either Tsim Tsa Shui (Pier One, just past Star Ferry) or Central harbours. It is owned by the Aqua Group who also own amazing bars and restaraunts all over HK, so it is a very stylish way to float past the skyline and have a few cocktails, listening to gorgeous chill out music.

Hutong is part of the Aqua restaurant chain and is on the 49th Floor of One Peking Road, Kowloon. Overlooking the harbour, and with amazing views, the restaurant is equally perfect for a romantic meal and for groups. The food is Beijing style and is different and delicious, try the Crispy De-boned Lamb Ribs, rolled up Peking Duck style in pancakes with sauces and mounds of garlic and the Crispy Soft Shell Crab with Szechuan Pepper which arrives in a huge basket glistening with mounds of the fiery peppers, if you are brave enough, there are chicken feet and organs on offer!

The decor is decadent, think Qing period antiques, trees decorated with glowing candles, heavy carved wooden doors and of course that amazing view from floor to ceiling windows. The service is perfect, the music is great - kind of Chinese chill-out and the whole atmosphere is relaxing and special. If you want one really special meal in HK - make it here!

The incense scents the air as soon as you depart the MTR. What a sight to behold, locals and tourists alike shaking fortune sticks, waving incense, praying, practising Tai Chi all in a red and gold ornate and palatial setting. The gardens are beautiful, don't miss them, coy carp, bridges and turtles! So peaceful and sucha taste of the real China.

A market with shoppers haggling over live fish and seafood, fruit and butcher meat on Gage Street. All of the windy side streets and cobblestone hilly streets going up towards Hollywood Road are interesting, loads of stalls, even a tailor out on the street!

If you have seen Chung King Express - go pretend you are being waved to by that crazy lady in the film! The bars and restaurants off the escalators are great, it's fantastic for people watching. Just go up the escalators, checking out the bars until you find somewhere that looks good.

A Morrocan bar and restaurant in Knutsford Terrace, Kowloon. Great lychee martinis and apple hubbly bubblys (moroccan smoking contraptions)!

Fabulously gorgeous department store, cheung sams in amazing irridiscent colours, you need one!!!

This is the bar above Hutong - lovely for a romantic evening - great views and loungey type music - 'mazing Chocolate martinis!

You can't go to HK without seeing the HSBC, getting the Peak Tram to the top, going on the Star Ferry, placing your hand on top of Jet Li's and seeing Bruce Lee against the skyline (on the avenue of stars) spending half an hour (no more than this!) at the Night Market. Fit it all in amongst the above and you too will have a fabulous time as we did!