Trip Report: Ah Hong Kong - Asia’s World City!

I love New York. I also love Hong Kong. Hong Kong is very much my second home (sorry Malaysia). Known as Asia’s World City, or in my opinion Asian Manhattan, Hong Kong is a vibrant city packed with people and filled with life. It is very much the Asian counterpart to the Big Apple. Hong Kong is really where East meets West.

I travel to Hong Kong every year. There is so much to do here. For the urbanites, this is a shopping and food paradise. Clothing wise, there are all these mega-malls, boutique shops and chain stores that you can check out. Among the noteworthy shopping malls to visit are IFC Center resting atop the airport express check-in center in Central, Times Square mall in Causeway Bay, the new Long Hou Fong in Mong Kok and Yau Yat Seng in Kowloon Tong. All are reachable by the convenient and extensive MTR system. You can also get your suits custom-made in many of the tailors available in the city. For antiques and handicrafts, you should check out the stores in Soho area as well as Stanley market. What about electronics, you ask. The shops in Mong Kok should have every electronic item you are looking for, but just be careful with the quality of the merchandise you want to purchase and make sure you haggle for lower prices.

The food in Hong Kong is simply amazing. From western food to the Chinese food of various provinces, you can find restaurants of all kinds to satisfy your cravings. My personal favorites are the wonton noodle shop named Ho Hung Kee in Causeway Bay, Red Ants (Hong Ma Yee) in multiple locations, the famous hotpot offered by Siu Fei Yong (translated as "Little Fat Lamb") in Causeway Bay and the inexpensive hole-in-the-wall Shanghaiese restaurant Yau Yat Dim in Tien Hau. Also check out the famous Jumbo Floating restaurant in Arbedeen. It actually serves very good dim sum despite being a tourist trap.

There are amazing nightlife spots in Hong Kong as well. Bars in the Lan Kwai Fong and Soho area are the most popular among locals and tourists alike,

Besides shopping, eating out and partying the night away, there are also many tourist attractions and activities to do in Hong Kong. The Big Buddha statue in Lantau Island is not to be missed. The new Disneyland you can skip however. It is really small compared to those in California and Florida. Hong Kong is also good for avid cyclists and hikers, especially in its new territory area.

Hong Kong has one of the most spectacular harbor views in the world. Just go to Victoria Harbor in Tsim Sa Tsui at night and enjoy the view of Hong Kong island from Kowloon. You will see tall mountains nestled behind the many skyscrapers with great lighting decorations. Also go up to Victoria Peak at night and see the beautiful city lit up in the dark. Trust me it is very romantic.

Since I speak fluent Cantonese, I feel really comfortable being in this city. But those who don’t speak Cantonese need not fret. Since this city was a British colony prior to the 1997 handover to China, all the street signs and public transportation announcements were made available in English and Chinese (Mandarin / Cantonese). If you are coming to Asia for the first time, I highly recommend coming to Hong Kong first. It will be a very easy transition.

I have a few close friends from college who live in this city. Therefore I see them every year in late December. Incidentally, the best time to come to HK (weather wise) is November – February. Summer is Hong Kong is very humid. All in all, this is a place that I can definitely call home if New York City doesn’t work out for me.

Flight Report: AY0092 Finnair BKK-HKG Service

BKK-HKG Service (AY0091)

Carrier: Finnair

Plane Model: MD11

Flight Class: Business

Sleeper Seat: No

Best Seat in Business Class: 1E/H

Duration of Flight: 2 Hours and 20 Minutes

Date of Travel: Dec 29, 2005



I had never paid for an actual business class ticket before. I had always used my points or my transfer upgrade certificates to fly business class. I purchased my very first business class ticket however for this trip. After all, who could resist a US$300 deal for a roundtrip business class ticket between Bangkok and Hong Kong?

Check in for Business Class at Bangkok International Airport was smooth and easy. I was looking forward to trying the new sleeper seat on Finnair but was told that the seats had yet to be installed on this flight (the airline is installing sleeper seats on all their MD-11s from Dec ’05 to Apr ’06). By the way, Finnair has got to be one of the very few airlines that are still using MD-11s for long haul flights.

Finnair enables its business class and premium frequent flyers to access the Qantas Lounge (since they are part of One World) at the Bangkok International Airport. The interior design of this lounge was really chic. They also offered a great selection of refreshments here. I ran into a really friendly Aussie (Rob) from Melbourne who was heading to India for the first time and we chatted for a few hours and exchanged business card as usual. I was telling him how great living in New York City was. Just doing my bit to promote the Big Apple.

Like check-in, boarding was smooth and easy as well. Even though I was told at check-in that the new seats were not installed on this flight yet, I was still disappointed to come across the old seats. The standard pre-boarding drinks were handed out as well as a wine and dinner menu. The meal selections were as follow:


Appetizer:

Grilled marinated prawns with coriander vinaigerette and green papaya salald



Main Course:

Fried red snapper with mustard butter roasted potato and ratatouille

Or

Roasted breast of duck with oyster sauce stir-fried noodles



Dessert:

Baked ricotta raisin cake and chantilly cream

Coffee, cappucino, espresso and tea

They have a good wine list as well considering the short duration of the flight. I opted for the roasted breast of duck and it tasted great.

The inflight entertainment selection was only moderate compared to other carriers that I had flown on. There were a few channels of documentary, sitcoms and cartoons available. The inflight service was good but not really personable. The service on Finnair reminded me of the American carriers like United and Delta. The flight attendants were more senior than their Asian counterparts.

We arrived a little earlier than scheduled. All was good save baggage handling. They forgot to stick a priority tag on my luggage so it was probably the last few ones that came out. I had to wait for almost half an hour for my checked luggage.

Flight Report: LH 783 KUL-BKK Service

Carrier: Lufthansa

Plane Model: A340-600

Flight Class: Business

Sleeper Seat: Yes

Best Seat in Business Class: 10 D/G

Duration of Flight: 1 Hr 35 Mins

Date of Travel: Dec 28, 2005



Check in at KLIA airport was quick and efficient. There were two separate check-in sections: Business and Economy (this is a two- class flight utilizing the new Airbus 340-600). Lufthansa offers The Premium Airport Plaza Lounge for the use of its premium class passengers at KLIA airport. The lounge was clean, bright and spacious. Like many Asian airport lounges, they actually offered a simple dinner buffet since it was around dinner- time. The food selection included chicken stroganoff, vegetable fried rice and congee (a chinese version of porridge).

Boarding was smooth since there were not a lot of passengers on this flight. The business class seats on this flight were of a 2X2X2 configuration. The best seat in business class surprisingly is not 1D/G since they are too close to the bathrooms on both sides. The best seats on this flight could be found in the back section (there are two business class sections) that consists of only two rows of seat with the same configuration. They are row 10 and 11 (D/G are the best since they are in the middle).

The standard pre-departure drinks of orange juice, water and champagne were handed out before we took off. The plane departed on time. Meals were served quickly after that. No menu was handed out because this is a pretty short flight (this flight would continue to Munich) but we had a choice of Asian fried rice with vegetables or stir-fried chicken with vegetables and potatoes. I opted for the latter and it was tasty. The flight attendants were friendly, polite and attentive.

The seats were the new business class seats that recline into a flat bed but angles at 170 degrees downward. There is an AVOD entertainment system in each seat but the selection of movies, music and games are not as good as those on Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways or Singapore Airlines. The interior of the plane (pictures are posted under the ‘Albums’ section) was of blue, yellow and gray hue.

Overall it was a good flight. We arrived at Bangkok International Airport on schedule and my checked-in bag was already sitting there after I cleared immigration and went to get my bag.

Trip Report: Appreciating The Rose of The North

For those who are a little tired of the hustle and bustle in Bangkok, Chiang Mai is a good break from the City of Angel. Known as the "Rose of The North", Chiang Mai means "New Town" in Thai. Its surroundings are of mist- shrouded mountains and fertile valleys. It is also a religious city with nearly 1100 Buddhist temples. Compared to the locals in Bangkok, the Thais here are more mild mannered and hospitable. Life here definitely takes a slower pace than life in Bangkok. The weather is also much cooler here and it is an inexpensive city to visit (more so than Bangkok).

There are many attractions in Chiang Mai. There are the historical Buddhist temples, handicraft shops, tribal villages, gardens and elephant camps. The Maesa elephant camp was my personal favorite. The elephants at this camp were smart and put on a great show including playing soccer, painting artwork and playing the harmonica while swinging their trunks to the tune (the sight was really hilarious)! I also enjoyed riding the elephants at the Pong Yang elephant camp. Here they offer you a one-hour or two-hour ride. I opted for the one-hour ride with my mom (US$15 per person) and the scenery during the ride was amazing. The elephant took us to the valleys and waterfalls. Even though Pong Yang elephant camp charges a higher fee for elephant rides compared to the Maesa elephant camp, it is much less crowded than the latter.

No visit to Chiang Mai would be complete if you did not visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep located on Mount Doi Suthep. Built in the 16th century, this famous temple enshrines a relic of the Buddha. Another temple to check out is Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. It was built around 1296 A.D.. The night bizarre is also an attraction not to be missed when you visit Chiang Mai. At this outdoor market you will find vendors selling things like handicrafts, t-shirts, jewelry and local street food. Of course you need to bargain when you shop here. The golden rule of bargaining is always to take 60-70% off the asking price and walk away if the vendor refuses to accept your proposal. Never compromise!

Among the many restaurants in Chiang Mai offering Thai food, my personal favorite was Tha Nam. It is a traditional Thai mansion located by the river and it serves delicious and authentic northern and central Thai dishes. The address of Tha Nam is 43/3 Moo 2 T. Phardad, A Mueng and the phone number is (66 53) 275-125. The restaurant/guesthouse also has a website (www.kamponglodges.com/thanam).

Besides restaurants, you can also go to any outdoor night market to taste the tasty local Thai food at a fraction of the prices charged at any restaurant in the city. Chiang Mai delicacies include sai-ua (Chiang Mai sausage), mu-yo (Pork sausage) and naem (pork sausage with lime and chili). They definitely love sausages here. You can also get great Pad-Thai at these night markets.

One thing that came in very handy for me when I dined out in Thailand was the handkerchief. Bigger guys like me tend to sweat profusely when eating spicy food, so I would make sure I have one with me when I ate spicy food which was pretty much everything I ate when I was there. Once I made the mistake of not bringing a handkerchief with me and by my third course the server had brought out the pre-moistened towelette and a fan for his super sweaty customer.

In my opinion, Chiang Mai was not as beautiful as I had expected. It is however a relaxing and serene place to spend a few days indulging oneself in the scrumptious food and fun attractions that the city has to offer. So when you go to Bangkok next time and want to breathe some fresh air, you should consider adding a side trip to The Rose of The North. It is only a one- hour flight from Bangkok and there are a few budget carriers that fly to this destination at a very low price, such as Thai Air Asia, Nok Air, Bangkok Airways and Orient Air. The Thai national flag carrier, Thai Airways, also flies here.

Trip Report: Paying The City of Angels A Visit

I have been to Bangkok several times, but never once did I manage to write a travel account. Maybe I was too busy shoving my face with the scrumptious Thai food available everywhere in the city, or I was too busy covering my mouth in order not to inhale the pollutants in the air. Either way I think I should write one since I am quite familiar with this city known as ‘The City of Angels’. My most recent trip to Bangkok was the one I took with my dad, mom and sister (the entire Lim clan) during the Christmas break.

Bangkok is a city founded in 1782 by King Rama I as the capital of Thailand. It has over 8 million in population. Like any typical big cities in the world, Bangkok is filled with modern skyscrapers, luxurious hotels, great spas and world-class restaurants. But like any other big cities, it also has the notorious traffic as well as the infamous smog that engulfs the city save a rainy day. What makes Bangkok different than other major cities is that despite the modern living and the years of exposure to the western culture, the locals still exude the great Thai hospitality. They are pleasant, gracious, polite and attentive (none of these traits I display despite being a quarter Thai myself).

There are many foreigners in Bangkok (the locals call them Farangs). While many of them come to Thailand to enjoy the many attractions and beauties the land has to offer, others come to appreciate the powerful currency of their countries and the service and acknowledgement they get for their skin colors (and money of course). You will find many senior Caucasian men walking down the streets with Thai youths (girls or boys). As an Asian guy, I find this behavior gross and nauseating.

Among the many tourist traps to check out in Bangkok, there are three that are not to be missed; The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Chetuphon, The Pat Pong night market and the Floating Market. Also don’t forget to check out the night view of Wat Arun along the Chao Phraya river. The view is rather breathtaking.

The Grand Palace was established in 1782. Covering an area of 218,000 square meters, the temple houses the royal residence, throne halls, government offices and the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Founded in the 16th century, Wat Phra Chetuphon is the oldest and biggest temple in the city. It is famous for the world’s longest reclining Buddha statue (46m long and 15m high). Pat Pong night market is located in the Silom area and offers all kinds of merchandise ranging from knockoff bags to tacky jewelry. These items should be bargained hard before purchasing. My rule of bargaining is to take 60%-70% off the asking price, and just walk away when the vendor refuses to accept your proposal. Believe me, eight out of ten times the vendor will chase after you to sell the merchandise to you. Besides the night market, there is also adult oriented entertainment in this area. The shows are quite an eye-opener if you ask me. As for the Floating Market, although the more authentic floating market has been moved to Damnoensaduak in Ratchburi Province, a trip to this floating market in Bangkok is still worthwhile for those who enjoy seeing the canalside Thai life.

I ate like a pig in Bangkok. Thai food has got to be one of my most preferred ethnic food of all that I have tried. The Thai food here is definitely more inexpensive than those you will find in New York. Here are some of my favorite restaurants in the city with low or moderate prices:

Mango Tree, 37 Soi Tanthawan (off Suriwong Road) Phone (0) 2236-2820

Atlanta 78, Sukhumvit Soi 2 Phone (0) 2252-1650

Ban Klang Nam, 288 Soi 14, Rama III road Phone (0) 2292-0175

As for shopping (ah, those who know me well know that shopping is my favorite past time besides eating), Siam Center and the new Siam Paragon Center are not to be missed. The traffic in Bangkok is horrendous so remember to take the BTS skytrain and get off at NANA station to get to these malls.

Congested traffic and polluted air aside, Bangkok is really a fun city to visit. The hospitality of the Thais coupled with the delicious and inexpensive food, great shopping and accommodation of many varieties make this city well worth the 17-hour non-stop flight from New York (Thai Airways operates a JFK-BKK express five days a week – please read my flight report on that service). There are no four seasons in Bangkok but you will find the weather from December – February to be the most comfortable of all months. So check out this city they call "The City of Angels".

Flight Report: TG791 Thai Airways Non-stop JFK – BKK Service

Thai Airways Non-stop JFK – BKK Service (TG791)

Carrier: Thai Airways

Plane Model: A340-500

Flight Class: Royal Silk Class

Sleeper Seat: Yes

Best Seat in Business Class: 11E/F

Duration of Flight: 16 Hrs 30 Mins

Date of Travel: Dec 19, 2005



Check in at JFK airport was quick and efficient despite the busy travel season. There were three separate check-in sections: Royal Silk, Premium Economy and Economy. Thai Airways, like Singapore Airlines, offers Swiss Air Lounge for the use of its premium class passengers at JFK. The lounge was clean, bright and spacious. The breakfast foods offered there however left little to be desired.

I looked forward to boarding this Thai Airways (TG) flight. It was the first non-stop passenger flight between New York and Bangkok. This flight was launched just recently and utilized a new Airbus 340-500. Since I took the non-stop Singapore Airlines (SQ) flight between Newark and Singapore last year, I wanted to compare the service and flight conditions of these two non-stop flights to South East Asia and see which one I would prefer more.

There were two flight attendants that greeted me at the door. I was seated in the first row of the Royal Silk Class. By the way, the best seats on this flight in Royal Silk Class were seat # 11E and 11F. The best seats in Premium Economy were the bulkhead seats and the best seats in Economy section were the exit row. Purple was the main color theme of the business class cabin, to match the color of the Orchid, the national flower of Thailand and logo of the national carrier. Flight attendants walked by several times offering pre-departure drinks (the standard water, orange juice and champagne) and reading materials. We departed JFK as scheduled.

Unlike the old business class seats on Thai Airways, the business class seats installed on this flight were the "pod" seats, with AVOD entertainment and a flat bed that angles downward. While the seats were definitely more comfortable than those of SQ (much newer too), the selection of movies/games/audio CDs were not as great as those of the Singapore flagship carrier. There were three meals served (and snacks offered in between those meals) and they were all delicious.

These were the options listed in the menu handed out to the Royal Silk class passengers:


First Serving

Hot Savories

Scallops on a stick and fish cake

First Course

Salmom Salad E-sarn Style

Smoked Duck, Apple and Celery Salad with Hazelnuts

Mixed Green Salad with Thousand Island or Balsamic Dressing

Main Meal

Broiled Tournedos Steak with Port Wine Sauce

Pom-pin Potatoes, Carrot and Zucchini

Or

Stir-Fried Prawn with Sweet and Sour Sauce, Steamed Thai Hom Mail Rice, Broccoli

Or

Salmon in Curry "Chu-Chee", Steamed Thai Hom Mail Rice, Stir-Fried Oriental Vegetables

Or

Grilled Chicken with Tomato Basil Sauce, Penne Pasta, Sauteed Zucchini and Broccoli

Assorted Roll, Garlic Breads, Toast, Butter

Assorted Cheese Tray/ Fresh Fruit

Dessert

Coconut Mousse Round, Tea, Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino

Mid-Meal Snacks

Noodles Soup and Garnitures or

Assorted Openfaced Sandwiches

Second Serving

Canapes

First Course

Prawn and Prosciutto with Fresh Cocktail Sauce

Main Course

Stir-Fried Prawn with Garlic and Pepper

Steam Thai Hom Mali Rice, Fresh Green Beans and Carrot

Or

Stir-Fried Flat Rice Noodles with Barbecued Pork Char-sew, Broccoli and Pepper

Assorted Roll, Garlic Breads, Toast, Butter, Cheese, Fresh Fruit Tray

Dessert

Passion Fruit Mousse in Chocolate Cup

Tea, Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino

Third Serving

Mixed Green Salad with Olive Oil Vinegar Dressing

Stir-Fried Japanese Noodles with Chicken (Yakisoba)

Chocolate Pralines

Tea, Coffee

Service on Thai Airways is definitely more personable that that of Singapore Airlines. The flight attendants on this particular flight were not as robotic as those SQ flight attendants. They noticed minor things such as turning on the reading lights for you or even checking back with a passenger to see if they had received what they had requested or had enjoyed their meals. I was very hungry between the first meal and the second meal and the flight attendant that I had requested some snacks from kept checking in with me to make sure that I had enough food to eat and was not hungry for the duration of the flight. They definitely feed you a lot on this flight because it is a long flight.

We arrived at Bangkok Dan Moung airport on time. I quickly went to the Thai Airways’ business class lounge to get a complimentary shower and massage (believe me, both really come in handy after a long flight!). All in all, this was a really comfortable flight. I don’t think you need to be in Royal Silk Class to enjoy the comfort. Economy or Premium Economy classes on this flight are already much better than those of US carriers. It seems that Thai Airways, once the carrier known for its attentive service in the 80s, is making a big comeback and will give other Asian carriers such as Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific a run for their money.