Wow.....what a great topic and one that I can pointedly answer, as I was just there back in May of this year. I visited Hong Kong, a small part of China, and Thailand. It was a fantastic trip that lasted about 9 days.
Hong Kong is a very livable city, and you'll feel comfortable there. Your money goes a long way in Asia. You can stay in a 4-5 star Hotel for something like $90.00 a night. I stayed in the Marco Polo right across from the old Hong Kong police station, on Canton Street, a walk from all of the cultural areas, Victoria Harbour, Kowloon Park, etc. I liken it to staying on 5th Avenue in NYC, as it's also the heart of the shopping district. You'll love it!! Below is a small photographic tour taken by yours truly!!
Wednesday you get in free at the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
If you go, take the Star Ferry across the Harbour and then get up to Victoria Peak, the highest point in which to view Hong Kong. You'll see a few of the world's tallest buildings from there as well. While up there, visit the Lion's Den, an incredible overlook.
I shot this Black Kite from the Lion's Den with my Nikon D5000, with Sigma 18-200mm lens.
Thailand is incredible. I stayed at a large resort called Rose Garden Riverside a 50 acre resort, which is about 20 miles outside of Bangkok. It was incredible....and only cost about $90.00 USD per night....a steal to us, but a mortgage payment to most middle-class in Thailand. I highly recommend this place. Breakfast is included, and there is also a Vietnamese restaurant on the grounds......
As you can see above, the grounds are meticulously maintained. I will say this though, Southeast Asia heat and humidity make Florida look like an ice box!!! Florida heat can't hold a candle to Thailand.
There is more to this resort then just walking around, like the cultural shows and even an elephant show!
Here's a Buddhist temple I stumbled upon while traveling up to Thailand's famous Floating Market........
If you are in Thailand, you must go early in the morning and experience the famous Floating Market, it's incredible!!
This was awesome. A woman was feeding a fish in the river....FISH DUMPLINGS!! It would come up one at a time and eat off the stick!!
The food is incredible here.....the freshest fruit I have ever had in my life! If I could get fruit this fresh in America, I'd easily be a vegetarian. Here is some Pad Thai with shrimp that I had at the resort.
And the markets......OMG....so much food, especially seafood, my favourite!!! The smells are incredible, and I was never afraid to eat anything as most things were cooked thoroughly in woks over hot fires....with lots of incredible seasoning. I didn't get sick at all the entire trip. Then again, I never drank tap water either!
Here's a shot from the market across from the Grand Palace, where the King lives. It was unfortunately closed the day I was there, and this was during some of the uprisings they had back in May. Things have settled down now.
Lotus blossom at the resort.........
I hope you have enjoyed my mini-tour. I took over 700 photos while on my trip. I used a Nikon D5000 with Sigma 18-200mm lens, UV & polarizing filters.
Asia is great, and I hope to return someday and explore more of it, especially China and Japan. I was only in China for (1) day. As for India, I wouldn't send my worst enemy there. It is filthy, polluted, and it smells god-awful. It is a freakin pit. Deodorant? What's that? BO everywhere.....pollution, no thanks. Taj Mahal? They can keep it......not worth the long, smelly line to get into it. Sorry to offend anyone from India, but that's my opinion, of which the poster asked.
- Wing Commander
