I am honoured to co-host this month’s travel link-up with the fabulous topic of ‘your greatest adventure’. Since I have already talked about my incredible experience travelling Central America, the U.S. and Asia in my Travelling vs. Holidaying and My Travel Personality posts, which was without a doubt one of the greatest & best adventures of my life, I thought I’d instead tell you about a not-so-distant-future adventure that I’m super excited about.
I’m moving to Hong Kong.
In exactly 6 months I will be moving to the other side of the world for half a year. Since the move is with work, all of the stress of finding somewhere to live and transportation to the office etc. is taken care of, leaving just the exciting bits to think about.
Asia’s easily my favourite continent (you might have guessed from my ranting & raving about my love for Thailand), and Hong Kong is a country close to my heart as, despite having only visited once for a short week, my parents lived there for a number of years before I was born and speak so fondly of it that I’ve always wanted to spend some proper time there. Plus, I was Made in Hong Kong. Yep, just like yo T-shirt.
The week that Michael & I spent there in late 2014 couldn’t possibly have got me more amped for the move as there is literally SO much to do, see, eat and discover. It’s a cultural Vegas.

It’s also a foodie’s paradise, which is of course my favourite aspect, offering everything from the cheapest, yummiest local treats to super snazzy international restaurants.
Whilst Michael & I were there we ate dim sum at the well-known & loved chain Din Tai Fung, the combined taste and price of which literally makes you want to cry and puts Chinatown to shame.



We also went somewhere much more ‘traditional’, Metropol Restaurant, and by that I mean there wasn’t another Westerner in sight, no one spoke English, and you had to try your luck grabbing dishes from the trolley dolly that wheeled past you at a million miles per hour. And God only knows what you’re eating. Still, it was such an awesome experience and I will definitely be seeking out all of the local haunts whilst I’m there.

Don’t even get me started on the Peking duck. It’s everywhere. I’m going to live off it.

Oh, and if you’re a fan of Bao, you can thank Little Bao in HK for being the original big hit and encouraging the owners to open up shop here at home.

^ Deep-fried green tea dessert bao, I’m coming for you.
Michael & I also ate at Aqua and Zuma. I preferred the food & ambience of both of these restaurants in Hong Kong to London and was absolutely blown away by the views that you get of Victoria Harbour and HK’s skyline at the former, of which Michael & I couldn’t have asked for better front row seats. Perfect to see the ‘Symphony of Lights’, a light & music show which takes place every night.




There are 101 high-rise bars & restaurants of which I officially make it my mission to visit every one. We only went up to Ozone, but my hit list is just beginning.
In addition to getting fat & happy, there’s a great party to be had. Lan Kwai Fong, Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai seem to be where all the nightly magic happens and on each of the nights that Michael & I visited these areas the streets were packed with people having fun.
Plus, anywhere that sells 3 fishbowl G&T’s (I’d say each one holds 3 normal drinks, and is 50% gin) for less than £10 has my heart. Especially when they serve you hot bar snacks on the house to keep you goin’. I mean…

Then there are the markets. Not your average markets. Hong Kong markets sell everything from your usual clothes, electronics and food to art, flowers, birds and goldfish.



And let’s not forget the Peak, Big Bhudda, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Victoria Harbour, Ocean Park, Repulse Bay…


^ One of many buildings with a gaping hole in its centre to achieve good feng shui. Legend holds that dragons live in the mountains and hold positive & powerful energy, which blows through Hong Kong on a daily basis as the dragons move from the mountains to the sea to drink & bathe. The holes provide ‘gates’ or ‘windows’ to allow the dragons unimpeded passage to the sea and natural air flow through the city. What’s not to love?
Oh, and did I mention the BEACH?

I intend to spend a lot of time on ‘junks’, beautiful ancient Chinese sailing ships that now provide all the modern fun in the form of island hopping and boat parties.


Hong Kong even has Disneyland. (There are too many emojis I want to insert here.)
And yes, I know it’s meant to be crap and for 3-year-old’s, but I don’t care. I’m going. And I will be so happy. Mostly because I will have eaten DISNEY CHARACTER-ED DIM SUM.
And although I intend to spend the vast majority of my time exploring and falling in love with every inch of Hong Kong, I will definitely be using my location & annual leave to my advantage and booking cheap flights to China, Burma, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand (you know the love is real), and maybe even Australia & NZ if I’m feeling extravagant, but essentially making the most of all the nearby travel opportunities.






From the little glimpse I saw of Hong Kong it has the perfect balance of culture & modernity. All the best bits of Asia & Europe combined. I can eat an outstanding meal for less than 10p and then hop on the shiny-steel outdoor escalator to take me up to my apartment.

The country embodies the past, the present and the future, and I simply CANNOT WAIT to be immersed in it.
P.S. If you have any recommendations at all or know anyone that might, please let me know! I’m planning not to sleep so I will have plenty of time on my hands
It is going to be amazing 6 months!
(Ps. I vote a trip to New Zealand – though I’m obviously biased!)
I’m so excited, and yes, I really want to make it over to that part of the world! xxx
So So amazing!!! You’ll be much missed by the blogging gang but I’m so excited for you. I loved Hong Kong I we also had dinner at Aqua and went on Aqua Luna – I was only there for two nights on the way to Australia but it’s the best stopover city that I’ve ever been to. Defs coming to visit you!!!!!
I know… I’m gonna miss you guys lots but will be keeping up with your lives daily 😎 Aqua was awesome wasn’t it, didn’t do any boat trips though so excited for that! And you are SO welcome! I’d love that loads xxx
I love Hong Kong! I’ve been twice now but only for 2-3 days each time… need to go back – it’s so manic and bustling which I love! Such exciting times ahead!
Yeah it was so buzzy, I’m super excited 🙂 xxx
So excited for you! As you know, my family is from Hong Kong, so I grew up visiting every year. One of my favorite foodie destinations is Lamma Island, where you pick your seafood and it’s cooked fresh for you and served with delicious chilli, ginger, and spices! The razor clams are to die for. Enjoy!
Ooo I will be making a note of that, sounds yummy!!! xxx
How exciting Andrea, you must be thrilled! I visited HK once and it’s definitely worth making the boat trip to Macau for the temples and casinos
I did that when I was there for the day and enjoyed it although we didn’t hit any of the casinos so will have to do that when I’m there 🙂 xxx
Wow! That’s an adventure, moving half the world across! I’ve never even been to Hong Kong! all the best!
Thanks Tanja x
So exciting Andrea – good luck on your new adventure x
Thanks Ashleigh x
Oh congratulations to you! Can’t wait to read all about your adventures over there. x
Thaaaaanks, there will be many 😉 xxx
Amazing news Andrea, that’s a hell of a secondment to land! Congratulations! I’ve always wanted to go to HK and will be saving this post for the future (Disney dim sum!) So wonderful that you get to spend 6 months there – can’t wait to read all about your adventures from this autumn onwards! x
Thank you! And yeah, I’m ridiculously excited, as you might have been able to tell 😎 xxx
Oh wow what an amazing adventure for you! Hong Kong was the first place we visited on our first round the world trip 8 years ago and I still love it now. Although hearing all your stories and seeing some of those views from restaurants and rooftop bars, I think I may have to plan a return trip soon! I wish you all the best for your adventure and can’t wait to hear all it 🙂 xx
Thanks Ayla, it would be so fun for you to go back! And I will definitely be keeping you flooded with my stories haha 😎 xxx
Ohhh, how exciting!! All the best for your new adventure 😀 I’ve never been to HK, but have the heard the best of things!
Thanks Marcella! xxx
1) Super happy for you!
2) I have a list of HK recommendations if you want them.
3) I’m jealous of all the roast goose you’re going to have!
4) Can’t wait to catch up! xxx
Honey x The Girl Next Shore
1) Thanks
2) You know I do 😉
3) I’ll smuggle some home for you / come stay with me
4) Me neeeeeither, soon 😎
xxx
Oh that is so exciting! I loved Hong Kong, especially the markets. Well jel. x
So exciteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed xxx
Ohh that is so exciting! I’m jealous, I would love to move to a completely different place for 6 months. I’m sure you’re going to have an amazing time! x
Anne-Sophie – City Cookie x
Thanks Anne-Sophie, I’m pretty stoked! xxx
How funny – I nearly moved to HK for work last year, before I decided to change jobs. What an amazing adventure! Can’t wait to read along and especially the delicious foodie posts I know are coming our way… drooooolll… 😉
Ooo really?! And yes, I can’t wait! Haha you know you can bank on that! xxx
Eeek! We will be swapping lives! I’m sure I’ll have many tips of what you can do in Singapore and the surrounding areas as well by the time you get to HK.
http://www.flashandfrugal.com
Yeeees please, that would be muchos appreciated! xxx
Wow that sure is an exciting adventure ahead! I loved Hong Kong and I”m sure you’ll have a blast living there.
Thanks Sara, I’m so excited 🙂 Xxx
How bloody exciting!!! Moving abroad was the best thing I ever did and I know you’re going to feel the same. You already have such a long list of amazing things to keep you occupied that I have no doubt that you’re going to have the time of your life. I’m not sure you’re going to have much time to work while you’re out there!! I’ve never been to Hong Kong, we might have to pop over for a visit.
Polly xx
Ahhh Polly, it’s adventures and happy endings like yours that make me so excited to go! You, Rich + 1 are always welcome 🙂 xxx
Disney dim-sum has literally made my day!! AMAZING!
Haha I KNOW RIGHT?! xxx
Wow! That’s so exciting! It sounds like an amazingly fun place to live, so much to do. And you’re right, what a fantastic base to explore Asia from. I can’t wait to read about what you get up to!
Thanks Rachel, I’ll be sure to keep you all updated and inundated 😉 xxx
You look gorgeous in all these photos! Best of luck!!!
Thanks Sarah xxx
I am super excited for you Andrea!! I felt exact same thing when I found out we were moving to Japan. I will look forward to all your updates about local adventures, sights and, of course, the food! HK is definitely on the bucket list of places to visit from Japan for my husband and I and your tips will be quite handy! Let me know if you decide to visit Japan! 🙂 xoxo, Nano
Ooo Japan, so cool!!! I will definitely be visiting so all tips in due course welcomed and appreciated! And you should deffoes take a trip to HK! xxx
EEEK! SO exciting!!! You’ll have to come and visit me in Australia for a blogger trip! Can’t wait for all the blog posts on your big move!
C x | Lux Life
I knoooow I can’t wait! And I am ALL OVER a trip to Aus! That would be so dreamy! xxx