There are lots of things to do in Hong Kong on the weekend, try a few of the following suggestions:

Junk Trip, if you can’t use the company’s junk then hire one.

Viking Boat Hire
Rm 1303, Progress Commercial Building
7-17 Irving Street
Causeway Bay
T: 2576 8995
Contact Wendy Au

Po Toi Island: an island south of Hong Kong Island. There are a few hiking trails and seafood restaurants. Head for the main seafood restaurant on the beach.

Tai Tam: Take lunch with you and relax in Tai Tam Bay.

Seafood lunch in Lamma: Take the ferry from Central Ferry Piers to Yung Shue Wan. Start with a pre-lunch walk to Sok Ku Wan (1 hour gentle hill walk) and then enjoy lunch at one of the many Lamma Seafood restaurants. Return to Central from the Sok Ku Wan Ferry Pier to Central.

Dragon’s Back Hike and Lunch in Shek O: Depending on how keen you are either start the walk by Parkview or from Stanley. As you head over Dragon’s Back (above Shek O) take in the fabulous views and you can check out the para-sailors taking off from the hills. Then head into Shek O for a well earned cheap Thai meal and beers.

For hiking trials information go to
http://parks.afcd.gov.hk
www.drmartinwilliams.com or http://ec.hku.hk/hiking/ or get a copy of Exploring Hong Kong’s Countryside
(T: 2508 1234 to order).

Swim in Big Wave Bay: Take a taxi from Stanley or Central and head to Big Wave Bay. Relax on the beach, rent a boogie board and catch some waves, or check out the local surfing scene. When you have had enough sun, head back into Shek O for a pizza at the local pizzeria in the village, or try the Black Sheep.

Hike to Tai Long Wan Beach and then Late Lunch in Sai Kung: Head out to Sai Kung by bus or taxi. Get dropped at the reservoir in Sai Kung Country Park and hike over to Long Ke Wan beach (takes about 1 hour), have a break and a swim before setting of to Tai Long Wan beach (about another 3 hours). Once you have recovered take the path back to the main road and head back to Sai Kung for a well deserved lunch at Anthony's Catch
T: 2792 8474 or Pousada for Portuguese T: 2335 5515.
   
Antique Shopping: Head to Cat Street and Hollywood Road for endless shops offering a fantastic selection of Chinese antique furniture, pottery, ceramics, etc. Make sure you start with the all you can eat dim sum on Sundays at China Lang Kwai Fong. During the week, you can go to Dragon-I. Then finish the day up at Staunton Street Café, just up from Hollywood Road for coffee or drinks to recover from what you have just spent on antiques.

Relax in Shek O: The last remaining old village on the island. Take a taxi or the bus from Central and have lunch at one of the local Thai or Chinese restaurants located at Shek O. Check out Shek O beach and then head back through the village and have a beer at the back beach bar. Navigate your way through the village to the back bar and if you get lost ask a Shek O local.

Lunch and Shopping in Stanley: Great selection of shops and market stalls, with definite deals to be had. Either take a taxi or bus from Exchange Square bus terminus in Central (6, 6A, 6X or 260). After a few exhausting hours in the markets, head to one of the restaurants located on Stanley Main Road. Try the new Brasserie Café or Saigon.

Explore Hong Kong
Flower, Bird and Jade Markets: It’s about time you visited some of the most famous markets in Hong Kong. Visit them in one day and bring home a few things for the apartment. Best way is on the MTR over to Kowloon, and once you’ve had enough or can’t carry any more, hop in a taxi and head home.

Flower Market
MTR to Prince Edward. Take Prince Edward West exit. Stock up on wholesale flowers.

Bird Markets
Located just behind the flower markets. There are hundreds of birds and cages, plus a large variety of live insects on offer. Pick up a new pet and some bamboo cages.

Jade Market
Get off the MTR at Yau Ma Tei and the Jade Markets are located on Kansu Street near Nathan Road. Pick up a few prized jade pieces that can be incorporated into jewelry. Then while you are in the area check out the Tin Hau Temple, a few blocks north-east of the Jade market. It’s a large temple dedicated to Tin Hau, the goddess of seafarers.

Walk up to Peak and Lunch: Start the walk on the morning trail, which leads from the bottom of Po Shan Road in Midlevels, then once at the top, do the walk around the Peak ( Lugard Road ) then have lunch at the Peak Lookout. Head back to Central by tram.

   
Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula: Not to be missed. Take the Star Ferry from Central over to Tsim Sha Tsui, walk along Salisbury Road to the Peninsula Hotel. Definitely has to be done once.

Painting Afternoon at Meli Melo: For a creative afternoon or evening and a cheap way to add a new painting to the apartment try Art Jam sessions at Meli Melo. Either join a group session or organize some friends for your own private Art Jam session. For $500 (less if you become a member) you can paint away on a 36” x 46” canvas with unlimited acrylic paints. 123 Wellington Street Central. Call to make a booking on
T: 2541 8816
www.melimelohk.net

Check out the latest at the HK Museum of Art
Hong Kong Museum of Art
10 Salisbury Rd
Tsim Sha Tsui
T: 2721 0116
www.lcsd.gov.hk/hkma

Head over on the Star Ferry, check out the latest temporary exhibitions as well as the permanent Chinese Galleries. Then head to the bar at the refurbished Hotel Intercontinental for champagne and a spectacular view of the Harbor to the city.
Lunch at Fernando’s in Macau: Take the Macau Turbocat Ferry from the Shun Tak Centre, 168-200 Connaught Road, Central. Call to book your tickets in advance on T: 2921 6688. It takes approximately 60 minutes. Once there do a quick stop by the Ruinas de Sao Paulo (Ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral) before heading to Fernando’s for a long Portuguese lunch, 9 Hac Sac Beach, Coloane T: (853) 882 531. They don’t take reservations but you can sample plenty of Portuguese wine while waiting for a table.

Check Macau Tourist information on
T: 2857 2287
www.macautourism.gov.mo

Sai Kung: Head out and have lunch at one of the new restaurants that have been opening up, or one of the many Chinese seafood restaurants. On the way back stop in at one of the nurseries and order some plants for delivery. Try Portofino , Lot DD 215 Hiram’s Highway T: 2791 5818 or Pousada 112 Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung T: 2335 5515.

Go Wake Boarding or Water Skiing in Tai Tam: Go down to Repulse Bay or Tai Tam Piers and you can rent a ski boat, driver and equipment by the hour. Best to go around to Tai Tam to ski and wake board as the water is cleaner and you can also organize lessons.