A quick jaunt to Hong Kong

A quick jaunt to Hong Kong is always a good idea. It was our thought when we traveled the Wong Kar-wai collection of Cathay Pacific's flight show, waiting for the plane to take off. The lights of the cinematic city make us feel like we're in a movie, and that's exactly what we want during the holidays: an escape from reality.

The Cantonese town has a sense of belonging. Some of its famous starred restaurants have diversified to the Philippines, ChickenJoy is still at hand and the Metro is everything we dream of having in the Philippines.

But after repeated visits, Hong Kong may also become too familiar. After touring the Ngong Ping cable car to see the Big Buddha, drink at Lan Kwai Fong and spend time at Disneyland, what's next?

Here is a list of great things to add to this itinerary:

1. Eat Peking Duck. Alvin Leung of Duck Forbidden is known as the "demon leader" for good reason. He makes a mean duck from Beijing, and the pork buns will give Tim Ho Wan a run for his money. Meat eaters will also find the fried tofu incredibly silky and satisfying. But the best was kept for last: the seafood rice in the aromatic duck soup – a hot pot of hearty broth garnished with rice crispies

2. Hong Kong is a picturesque city – and we're not just talking about Victoria Harbor.

According to our tour guide Bernard Shu, every year since 2014, the non-profit organization Hong Kong Walls selects 20 walls in a specific area and uses concrete slabs as canvases for the art

It's like a game of bingo, and the goal is to find all 20 graffiti. During our walking tour around Sham Shui Po, we spotted a fish skeleton graffiti filled with bright colors by the Malaysian artist Dmojo. On the facade of a building of more than 10 floors is a woofer in colorful geometric patterns. Surrealist pop Okuda jumped on a hydraulic platform crane to paint this wall.

Also in Sham Shui Po is Fore Forehead, an art space and an original gift shop. During our visit, we saw "Under The Visible Hand", a collection of printed and printed propaganda posters and other souvenirs from North Korea.

The collector Eric Wong had been three times in the communist state he took fancy on the posters. One of them is a rabbit on a scale with a soldier and a woman in the background.

"Rabbit meat is valuable in North Korea and the state has encouraged the breeding of rabbits. There is a first army policy and the rabbits will become a great meal for the army, "said Eric.

3. Meet the Queen .The lines to the Peak Tram are so long, the Sky Terrace is crowded, so make the interesting trip and take a detour to see Benedict Cumberbatch of Sherlock Holmes, Super Junior Choi Siwon, Stephen Curry, triple NBA Champion and pay with courtesy for Queen Elizabeth II at Madame Tussauds

There are more than 100 wax figures and 10 interactive rooms (read: video games) here, but our favorite was the black and yellow polka dot piece.The beloved contemporary art The self-obliteration of Yayoi Kusama is a surreal space where visitors can erase their fears and feel like they're standing in infinity.

4. Treat yourself.The first time we visited Hong Kong, we remember distinctly avant-garde ladies who climb into the They were wearing Bao Bao Issey Miyake, geometric patterns that start at a colossal $ 1,000. It's no wonder that designer brands love Hong Kong because Hong Kong loves designer items.

Charlotte Tilbury, for example, has only five counters in the world. The only counter in Asia is located in Port Crawford's luxury department store in Harbor City, Tsim Sha Tsui, 168 years old.

Beauty junkies can be imposed for a 60 minute makeover at $ 550 HK. There are 10 looks to choose from such as Pretty Innocent, Dolce Vita and Vintage Vamp.

They also have pretty intriguing products like Charlotte's Magic Cream (a moisturizer "adored behind the scenes by models and celebrities") and Hollywood Contour Wand Cream applied on top of the foundation to give a finish without filter).

Also in Harbor City are Cha Ling, a beauty brand that incorporates Chinese tea blends with its perfume and skin care products; Guerlain Parfumeur's first Asian store where customers can choose the perfect perfume with the help of an app; and Joyce Beauty, a niche brand that carries beauty products based on natural ingredients (Aquis, a hair towel that promises to cut 50% drying time)

5. Toys. In 2015, a huge model of the Gundam wing was suspended from the ceiling of the 16-story Times Square mall; this year, three bear siblings (Grizzly, Panda and Ice Bear) held a contextual exhibition at Ocean Terminal. The city is obsessed with the toy. There is a 250,000 brick diorama of Sharp Street Tram Depot by Andy Hung, Lego certified "professional" (it's a real job!) At the Lego store in Causeway Bay, and Totoro, a friendly, fuzzy neighbor, welcomes customers at Donguri store at Ocean Terminal. 19659009] The largest branch of Toys "R" Us is also at Ocean Terminal and the rows of gashapon machines gave us a high endorphin! (The rabies hunt is a challenge in the Philippines!)
   

   Gashapon machines at Toys "R" Us

   6. Watching a movie at the planetarium. Under the big dome of the Hong Kong Space Museum is a space theater, and to catch a movie, there is quite an experience for only $ 32 HK. We could always use a 45-minute sitting activity after a long day of walking and eating.

   The planetarium is right next to Tsim Sha Tsui Bay, so there are many places to go after the show. Maybe eating a piece of the best Chungking Mansions curry?

   Cathay Pacific offers convenient and comfortable flights from Manila to more than 200 destinations worldwide via connecting flights to Hong Kong. Visit cathaypacific.ph.

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