Enter the dragon boats

I got a different perspective of Hong Kong when I joined a media group to cover the Dragon Boat Carnival last July 24-26. Taking in the usual tourist attractions known to a lot of Filipino travelers, I was impressed by the fact that Hong Kong has not lost its appeal and, as Hong Kong habitués would attest, there’s always something new to see, experience, and tell people back home about.

FINDING A GIANT BUDDHA AND LOSING A JACKET

With a lot of anticipation, as it was my first visit to Hong Kong, I boarded an 8 a.m. Philippine Airlines flight. After a quick but filling lunch at the Hong Kong International Airport, we headed straight to the Tung Chung Ngong Ping cable car terminal for the first stop on our itinerary: Ngong Ping Village. It took us 25 minutes of a 360-degree visual feast — think breathtaking views and landscapes — to reach the other terminal. It was hot that day in Ngong Ping, so I took off my jacket and lost it on the way going up to the giant Buddha. Realizing everything was in my jacket, (credit card, cash, ATM card, and driver’s license,) I panicked and quickly traced back my steps, looking for somebody who might have found my jacket. Meanwhile, my colleagues were having fun watching the Shaolin Wushu presentation.

Twenty minutes later, as the crowd grew thicker, I felt more downhearted. We asked a village staff to help us file a report at the village’s Lost and Found. After the Shaolin Wushu show, when some of my colleagues learned about what happened, they insisted that another search be done. Thank God! We found my jacket lying beside a trash can, with everything in it still intact! Finding my jacket gave me more energy to climb the 268 steps to the Tian Tan Buddha. The group kept telling me I was a very lucky man. Maybe I was, but the secret was really prayer!

THE BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY

We checked in at the Regal Kowloon Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. Later that evening, I had a chance to cruise and dine on board The Bounty, the only European tall ship that has made Hong Kong its home. This ship is a replica of the 1784 trading vessel H.M.A.V. Bounty, made in 1983 for the movie The Bounty, starring Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins. Now a sight to see in the waters of Hong Kong, The Bounty can be a fabulous venue for cruise, parties, and events.

Aboard The Bounty is the best vantage point to watch the spectacular “A Symphony of Lights,” The show is a play of colored lights, laser beams, and searchlights synchronised to music. You can tune in to a narration that celebrates the beauty, energy, spirit, and diversity of Hong Kong. 

HERE COMES THE DRAGON BOAT CARNIVAL

This year’s Dragon Boat Carnival was a huge success — the massive turnout of spectators surpassed the expected 50,000 threefold.

More than 4,000 athletes representing 191 teams from 12 countries took part in this year’s Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival. They competed for the 35th Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races.

The race venue at East Tsim Sha Tsui promenade was packed with thousands of spectators, athletes, and supporters. The races began early Sunday, with the Hong Kong Island skies providing the postcard-pretty backdrop.

Throughout the day, East Tsim Sha Tsui waters swarmed with brightly colored dragon boats. On land, supporters and spectators, celebrities, and mediamen enjoyed the assorted events.

At the Dragon Boat Fun Plaza, cold beverages, mouthwatering food, and snacks filled hungry stomachs. Nonstop live entertainment on stage as well as roaming entertainers kept people in a party mood.

Highlights of the race were the Tub Race for media people covering the event. “Coordination and good balance” said Kenneth Del Rosario and Lamar Roque of the Philippine media group won them the race.

THE GOOD STUFF AT GREAT DISCOUNTS

And what’s a visit to Hong Kong without shopping? Hong Kong’s shopping places are everywhere. It’s one monstrous shopping haven! In Tsim sha Tsui, Granville Road is filled with shops, boutiques, department stores, and malls — you can literally shop till you drop. And there are also specific hunting grounds for various products like shoes, electronics devices, cameras, and clothes. Two MTR stops from Tsim Sha Tsui is the Sneakers Street and Ladies Market, where you can get good stuff at amazing discounts. For the musically inclined, Tom Lee Music Store’s 18 branches were offering discounts on selected items.

Aside from shopping, must places to visit in Hong Kong are Ocean Park and Disneyland.

For more info on Hong Kong, log in to www.discoverhongkong.com.