Flickr photos updated: Hong Kong and Macau plus notes on those locations

Flickr photostream has been updated and now includes Hong Kong and Macau, take a look:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37975783@N03/

Hong Kong is really everything you've heard about: incredibly dense and compact with plenty to offer to the traveler.

The subway system was amazingly easy to use and cheap.  Be sure to buy an Octopus card which can be used for all your fares plus many other purchases.  The entire time we spent in Hong Kong, the total bill for all our subway use, ferry fares, entrance to the horse track, and the tram up to Victoria Peak amounted to about $20 per person.  Plus, at the end of the trip, the card can be turned back in for a refund on unused credit.

Soho on Hong Kong Island contains all the best food markets and noodle shops: a great and fun place for sure.  Not sure about the refrigeration on the meat markets....  Nice antique markets as well.  Getting around Soho is part of the fun: escalators run up the mountain and offer a good view of the surrounding neighbrohoods.

Kowloon is just crazy: it's the place tourists go to buy bootleg and fake jewelry, watches, and clothing, get a disease in a sex shop, eat food of questionable quality, and get sick on the ferry back.  A good laugh for 45 minutes, but Soho is much better.  Kowloon does have a few nice stops though: the performance art center, some nice restaurants if you look around a bit, and Kowloon Park and worth a visit.

Hiking Victoria Peak was great.  We took the tram up and ran away from the tourist trap tours as fast possible.  Once on the trail around the peak, we found peace and quiet.

One last must see on Hong Kong Island: the Happy Valley Jockey Club.  Wednesday night horse racing is fun.  Between the entry fee, noodles and beer, and net gambling winnings, this turned into a free night!

Macau is different from Hong Kong for sure.  Took the high speed ferry from Hong Kong, a trip of about 1 hour.  Portuguese influence abounds in everything.  Made our way to the 3 Lamps district which was devoid of tourists and contained all the best food markets and stalls.  Had lunch of spicy noodles and greens, supplemented by stops at about 3 different bakeries.  Good way to spend a day.

All in all, really enjoyed both places and hope to return for sure...