What types of gifts do we buy? Mostly, items that we think someone would like to have based on our tastes.  The most meaningful gift is one that meets that person’s desire or need.  If Cousin Susie is always running out of stamps or envelopes to write letters, a thoughtful gift would be a personal mail center complete with stamps, envelopes, and writing tools.

This type of thing can be purchased early in the year.  As you find gifts that will suit a person, hide them in the closet or the garage where no one else would think to uncover them.  Once November rolls around, pull everything together and begin wrapping.  While everyone else is standing in line, you’ll be comfortable in the house with all of your gifts purchased and wrapped.

Another suggestion is a budget.  We already have a general budget that accounts for Christmas gifts.  The task now involves breaking down that larger sum of money into line items for individual people.  Families can be grouped together and given one gift for everybody.

The point is not to spend all that you have, but to give a little something to everyone so they know that you care for them.  Really, it doesn’t take much to satisfy someone.  As long as the gift will be useful to them in some capacity, that is enough.

My family does a name exchange.  With a name exchange, each adult in the family puts their name in a hat.  Everyone picks a name (not their own) and that is the person they are responsible for buying a present.  The family understands that they will only receive one gift unless the person with their name wants to get them more than one.

Each person participating in the name exchange will write, under their name, three things that they would like to have for Christmas.  The monetary limit for the gift is set by the person buying the gift.  They have to use one of the choices given.

Children are not usually included in a name exchange.  Because they are young, adults agree to give a gift to each child.  To cut the cost, families can give one gift from them to each child.

Name exchanges work for more than just family gift giving.  Churches, workplaces, and neighborhood groups can use the name exchange as a way of getting more people to participate in holiday activities.  Buying one gift is easier on the wallet than purchasing one for everyone in each of these places.  This year, suggest a gift exchange as a way of participating in holiday gift giving without breaking the bank.

When we were kids, it was a tradition to make holiday gifts at school.  In art class, homemade cards were the normal thing to give to everyone for Christmas.  Family and friends thought they were cute and thoughtful.  They hung the cards on the wall to display them.  Others would put a hook through it and turn the card into an ornament.

Homemade cards can be an idea for the season this year to save money in that budget.  Most of the supplies can be purchased at a dollar store or a craft store.  Set the kids up at the kitchen table or another area covered in newspaper.

Let them experiment with different decorations for the cards.  They can utilize glitter, glue, stickers, stamps and an ink pad, and crayons and markers.  Construction paper cards can be hand delivered to local friends and family members.

For the adults, creating a construction paper Christmas card may seem a bit too childish.  For you, card program software for the personal computer can fashion cards that look as professional as the ones bought from the store.  The program is filled with a variety of holiday themes and sayings.  If none of these suits the fancy, blank templates are also provided for putting your own words into sentiment.

Heavy-duty card stock paper in holidays colors works best for these types of cards.  The card sizes will fit a standard card envelope if any of them need to be mailed.  Reasonable prices for card envelopes can be gotten at the local paper or party store.

The card program will pay for itself in no time.  After the holidays, use the software to create cards for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Easter, graduations, weddings, and other special occasions.  This is a tool that is useful beyond Christmas.

Food makes a great gift to others for the holiday season.  At one time, when people didn’t have much else, they could always share some food.  Wrapping up a cake in cloth and some decorative ribbon, sweet treats were given to others as Christmas gifts.

During a time when people were more in need of food than a new doll, it was a welcomed gift.  Now, the family would have something special to eat after dinner.  Breads were also given as gifts.

We might not be in need of food in that way anymore, but food gifts still carry a sentiment of good will with them.  For teachers, Sunday school instructors, the mailman, and coworkers a food gift is appropriate.  Kids like to give sweets like cookies, cakes, and homemade candy that they helped to make.

With food gifts, presentation is important.  A batch of homemade cookies means more when given in a decorative jar or tin than in a simple Ziploc bag.  Take the time to jazz up the gifts.

Instead of baking the cookies, take a Mason jar and layer the dry ingredients inside.  Create a label with the recipe instructions on it and stick it to the jar.  Cover the top with a piece of holiday print cloth and some ribbon.  Fix up six or twelve of these with each cookie recipe repeated no more than twice.

If the gift is homemade sweet bread, wrap each one in decorative plastic wrap and tie a bow and a card to it.  If there are any special instructions for food gifts let the receiver know or tuck printed instructions inside the card.

Another great idea for homemade gifts is a gift basket.  Gift baskets can have any theme that you desire.  Uncle Paul may like to play board games.  A basket filled with his favorite board games and smaller travel size editions is a thoughtful gift that couldn’t be purchased just like that from any store.  It is a unique gift that only you could have given.

This is an idea for every member of the family.  Who knows them better than someone who spends a great deal of time with them? Best of all, gift baskets can be started early in the year and worked on right up until the holidays.

Begin by choosing a basket.  The basket is a part of the gift so let it be one that can be used for something else once all of the gifts are removed.  Baskets come in a variety of colors.  Some have lids like a chest; some are shaped like laundry hampers; others are tall and narrow like the kind that hold umbrellas by the front door.

As you find items that fit the special person’s character, add them to the basket.  When the basket is filled with their favorite things, cover it all with decorative wrap.  The gift is now ready and the cost will be far less than a premade basket or buying one expensive gift.

CONCLUSION

The sentiment of the holiday season is life and love.  We celebrate our families, our blessings through the year, and extending a helping hand to the community.  That is love at its best.

Instead of keeping up with the Jones’s, keep up with the sentiment.  Honor the holidays by making it the thought that counts and not how many dollars that can be spent.  Money doesn’t bring a smile to the recipient since they don’t know what you spent for the gift.  What they do know is if it is something they have been wanting.  If it is then, they know that you really know them.

But, food can get pretty expensive at that time of the year.  If you are a holiday baker and a party host, getting the menus together ahead of time will save lots of money.  A comprehensive list of ingredients for family dinners, desserts, and party foods allows things to be marked off as they are bought.

Buy ingredients in bulk.  Food warehouses are a great place to save money when we need to get large quantities of ingredients.  Baking requires a lot of eggs, butter, milk, and such.

Saving money can also save time.  If the plan is to bake a pound cake for Sunday dinner and you need a dessert for a church function and a party at work, let that pound cake recipe do double or triple duty.  Tripling the recipe allows three cakes to be baked in one mixing.  To vary the recipe, one can be chocolate, sour cream, and plain.

With so much going on around the holidays, cooking for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is not always in the cards.  Make life simple with casserole dishes appropriate for each meal time.  A breakfast casserole will feed the entire house.  Bake it at night and each person can heat their portion up as they come in for breakfast.

The same can be done for lunch and dinner.  Casseroles are quick and easy.  Now, each person can be responsible for getting their food and the cook can concentrate on holiday food dishes and baking.   Casseroles keep the fridge from filling up with leftovers.

Don’t forget to buy enough plastic ware and disposable plates for anyone eating at the house.  No one wants to wash dishes especially the one who is doing all of the cooking.  Give the dishwasher and the hand washer a break by using disposable items.

Also, set the kitchen up for a buffet style meal.  Since everyone isn’t ready to eat at the same time, serving a buffet allows each person to get what they want to eat when they want.  Now, you can concentrate on other matters.

For some, it isn’t truly Christmas without a real tree.  An artificial tree is just as good and will last for many years if it is a good quality tree.  Both are good options for the family.

When it comes to decorating a home and a Christmas tree, advertisers do their job quite well.  Already, our hands are itching to purchase every shiny bulb we see.  But, when they introduce the next big thing or an entire complement of ornaments to fully decorate the tree, we are hooked.

Refuse to look at any sales papers until checking the ornament collection from the previous year.  Are there any broken bulbs? Do the strings of lights still work? It is proper to replace the worn out ornaments with new ones, if they are truly worn out.  With the ones that are left, create a new theme for the holiday.

Let’s say that you have a lot of silver ornaments.  Instead of chucking them and starting over because it’s not enough, pair them with another color ornament to create a color scheme.  Silver goes well with most other colors.  Or, if silver will be the only color, instead of getting more ball ornaments, try bows, keepsake ornaments, and white lights.

The best time to purchase Christmas ornaments is during the after Christmas sales.  During Christmas, get in the mindset of how you would envision the tree in years to come.  Shop for ornaments that accomplish such a style for next year’s tree.  Shopping after Christmas saves fifty to seventy-five percent.

Some people are born with the gene for crafting.  Give them a few supplies and they can create a treasure.  If such a person lives in the house, employ them to create unique ornaments for the Christmas tree.  One-of-a-kind gifts begin family traditions.

It is not just the Christmas tree that needs to be decorated but the rest of the house as well.  Many of us go overboard with this.  The sheets and towels have to have a holiday theme.  Then there is the guest room and the kitchen and the living room cushions.

When we are done, the entire house looks like Winter Wonderland landed inside of it.  There is nothing wrong with going all out if it doesn’t cost a lot of money.  Remember that all of these decorations will go back into storage once January first arrives.

All of that money will be moth-balled for 358 days.  That’s a waste.  Instead, find the decorations that you want at a fraction of the cost.

Start at the neighborhood dollar store.  They sell Christmas decorations in all shapes and sizes.  This includes silk flowers in holiday colors, kitchen towels, holiday glassware and plates, and serving accessories.  Christmas cards can be purchased there as well.  For the price, you can afford to get different cards for each household you send one to.

Make Christmas wreaths for the house.  Buying a pre-decorated one is twice as expensive as purchasing a plain wreath and adding little trinkets to it.  These wreaths can be kept and brought out each year.

For the holiday table, let the kids make homemade placemats.  Using old Christmas cards and a piece of cardboard cut to the size of a standard placemat, glue the front piece to the cardboard and laminate the entire piece of artwork.  This way, the placemat are washable and reusable each year.

• Be very wary of getting trapped in a resort where the price includes nothing more than the room and there are no alternative sources of food.

• Unless you have to, don’t go on holiday now. Wait for those of us with school children to retreat, and watch the prices plummet as we leave. I’m jealous just thinking about it.

• An essential item for any outing is some sort of cool bag or esky, especially at the beach with children. It allows you to pay supermarket prices for the inevitable soft drinks. The savings can be substantial.

• Finding the location of the nearest major supermarket is an early necessity. It might take a little more effort to get to, but one good shop at the start of your holiday can save a bundle compared with the tourist center’s corner store prices.

• Do you like to read on holiday? Visit your local library before you go – you’ll find a better range of books than at the airport, at a better price!

• An absolute necessity for overseas travel is insurance to cover the risks of sickness and injury- Hospital charges in the US really can send you broke, while some Third- and even Second-World countries are great to visit, but you wouldn’t want to be operated on there. Shop around for quotes, but it’s better to have too much insurance than not enough.

• The primary role of the phone in your hotel room is to make money for the landlord. Outrageous mark-ups on hotel phone bills can be avoided by using a pay phone.

• Leave buying mementos until the end of your stay — by then you’ll have a better idea of prices and products.

• Go native. Use local public transport rather than taxis or tours. For example, visitors to Sydney can enjoy the harbor on public ferries rather than dearer tourist cruises.

• Buy the local newspapers. The features and advertisements will be more up-to-date than the best travel books, and the best shopping specials more current, regardless of whether you’re a visitor or a local.

• Finally, remember the best things in life really can be inexpensive – the time to relax and enjoy the company of those you holiday with. Sunsets and a beach walk are still free.

Partner site: Monterrey

Florence, going up the hill to the Forte di Belvedere, affords you a breathtaking view of the city. Then, visit the Boboli Gardens, an outdoor museum with labyrinths and Renaissance sculptures and drop by the Accademia, the home to David by Michelangelo. Don’t forget to check out Uffizi Gallery and its awe-inspiring paintings by such masters as Raphael, Michelangelo and Car-avaggio. Next, drop by Chianti to see how the fine Italian wine is made in Tuscany. Complete your visit to Italy by seeing the leaning tower of Pisa, in Versilia and getting some retail therapy at Villafranca or Bagnone, or the busy market town Fivizzano.
Posta is a lovely bed and breakfast in Florence that costs about $50 per person per night. Sate your hunger surrounded by old world charm in Nerbonne in Mercato Centrale.

Budget hotels don’t necessarily equal dingy rooms and stinky communal bathrooms! Most proprietors are now able to offer decent lodgings at affordable prices by carefully leaving out certain luxuries such as:

Spartan basics – No TV in rooms and no swimming pool. Some hotels try to make up for this by providing something unique like a curio shop or tanning area on the roof top. Who needs the idiot box when you’re on vacation, anyway?
Meals not included – Usually no free buffet breakfast is provided, even if the hotel has its own restaurant or cafe. Privacy – Dorm rooms are usually quite cheap, which is perfect if you are traveling with a group of friends. Granted you get less privacy, but take it as an opportunity to meet other travellers and share their stories!

When picking out a budget hotel, it’s best to check out the local hotel rating website and see the reviews on it. Alternatively, visit the country’s tourism board website for the necessary info. The best method? Ask for referrals from pals who have stayed in budget hotels before!

Taxis: Normal taxis are dirty and not considered particularly safe. You are much better off calling one of these two premium services: Red Dot (tel 311 3257) or Scarlet Taxis (tel 323 4266). If you do catch a
regular cab, make sure you negotiate the fare before you depart. Car hire: This is your best bet, though costly. Deal with one of the international names and ask them to provide a driver. With the poor state of roads, 4WDs are commonplace.

Avis tel +675 324 9400
Hertz tel +675 302 6822
Thrifty tel +675 325 5550

GettInG Around PnG
Leaving Port Moresby on business usually means taking an expensive internal flight. There are regular services to Lae, the other major industrial centre (around A$400 return). You must ensure you check in at least an hour before departure to avoid losing your seat.

CLIMAte
With the exception of the Highlands, PNG has a tropical climate. The wet season in Port Moresby is from December to March. tIMe/buSIneSS hourS
PNG has a single time zone, which corresponds with Australian Eastern
Standard Time throughout the year. Typically, business hours are 8am to
4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Money
PNG’s currency is the kina. It is currently trading at about K2.10 to the Australian dollar. Although there are no ATMs at Jackson’s International Airport, there is a Bureau de Change and you can obtain local currency using your credit card. There are, however, ATMs located around Port
Moresby and their location is given on the websites of the various banks.

eLeCtrICIty
The power in PNG is 240V AC 50Hz using Australian-style plugs. Be wary of
power cuts if you’re using a laptop.

SAFety
PNG does have a fearful reputation but things are nothing like as bad as portrayed in the overseas media. If you take sensible precautions, you are unlikely to experience trouble. During the day, you can walk around the CBD and Boroko but stay alert, and don’t walk anywhere after dusk.
Keep vehicle doors locked while you are driving around. Check the DFAT travel advisory site www.smartraveller.gov.au before you travel.

heALth
If visiting PNG, it is imperative that you ensure you have comprehensive health and travel insurance cover. In theory, there is a malaria risk in Port Moresby though most expats based there do not take anti-malarial medication. If you are leaving urban areas, however, you should seek medical advice on this. In any case, bring tropical-strength insect repellent and use liberally if outdoors at night. Port Moresby Medical Centre, Boroko: +675 325 6633

CoMMunICAtIonS
Internet: Connectivity in PNG is particularly bad and there is currently
no broadband. Things are improving a bit though; the hotels listed below were all in the process of introducing wireless internet at the time of writing. There is a Business Centre offering internet upstairs in the Steamships arcade in the CBD. Many larger companies use satellite communications, especially outside the main cities.

Mobile: Your overseas mobile will not work in PNG but it is possible to buy a local SIM card (about A$35) and pre-paid credit. The mobile network is highly unreliable, however (apparently due to the rapidly rising uptake of mobile services), especially on Fridays!

Landlines: Services are improving in this area and domestic calls at least are not prohibitively priced.

Food And drInK
Asian Aromas: In the Steamships arcade, CBD. Excellent Thai and Chinese food, washed down with Australian wines. You will need to make a reservation at lunchtime.

Ichizen: In the Steamships arcade, CBD.
Japanese restaurant serving excellent local sushi and teppanyaki. Royal Papua Yacht Club: Relaxed, spacious and open to non-members.
Identical bistro-style menu available in the bar or restaurant.

Café/snacks: One striking feature of the Port Moresby CBD is the lack of street cafés—a symptom of the security situation. However, there is an espresso bar hidden away behind the foyer of the eye-catching Deloitte
building in Douglas St. It is handy for a snack lunch if you are in the CBD, as is the café at the Crowne Plaza hotel.

Supermarket: Andersons is a well-stocked supermarket just outside the
CBD. You can get a local SIM card for your phone there, there’s an ATM and takeaway snacks.

Where to StAy
Airways Hotel (tel +675 324 5200) Considered by many to be the best hotel in PNG, Airways Hotel is contained within a large secure compound next to the main airport, 15 minutes from the CBD. There are three levels of hotel accommodation, including the luxurious Orchid Rooms, and a wide range of facilities, including excellent
dining options.

Crowne Plaza (tel +675 309 3329,www.crowneplaza.com)
Offers luxury rooms and suites in the heart of the CBD. Modern gym, undercover parking, café and Mediterranean restaurant. There is a well-appointed executive lounge. Holiday Inn (tel +675 303 2000)

The likely third option for business travellers, this one is located in the Government district of Waigani. Its Junction Bar is popular with expats.

bArS/nIGhtLIFe
Among the expat community, a lot of socialising is done at people’s houses and at private clubs. However, popular bars include Pondo Tavern at the Crowne Plaza, the Aussie Bar at the Ela Beach Hotel, and the Junction Tavern at the Holiday Inn. The Balus Bar at Airways Hotel is a good place to play pool and watch cable TV on the big screen. It even has a mini casino. The place to go at the weekend is the slick Gold Club, at Lamana Hotel. When Business Advantage paid it a visit one Saturday evening, even the Prime Minister was in the house!

thInGS to do Around
Port MoreSby Botanical Gardens, Waigani These are worth a visit even if you only have an hour to spare. Follow the boardwalk trail though the jungle and see wild orchids and wildlife including the iconic tree kangaroos and cassowaries. Loloata Island Resort (tel +675 3258590) An upscale resort in Bootless Bay, 20 km from Port Moresby. A comfortable day trip (transfers provided), or you can stay overnight. Offers diving, snorkelling and fishing. Port Moresby Golf Club, Waigani A round of this well-maintained course, next to Parliament Haus, costs about A$40 and clubs can be hired.

Big discounts; A well-informed agent will be more clued-in to the bargains available and as they book in bulk, they are privy to discounts from airlines and too.

Saves you the hassle: if you’re planning a trip to a spot that isn’t accessible via a direct flight, your agent can find the most efficient way to get there faster than you can.

Guarantee of standards; Agents usually represent only quality hotels, restaurants and overseas tour agencies, so you don’t have to worry about getting duped when you buy your holidays from them.

The old Moorish quarter of Alfama is a mix of past and present, where Roman and Arabic influences are visible. The main attraction is Castelo Sao Jorge, a picturesque spot that also offers a sweeping view of Lisbon. Drop by the Tile Museum to see famous decorative ceramic tiles or azulejos made five centuries ago. Then, head to Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery for a taste of Lisbon’s adventurous past. You shouldn’t miss the beautiful futuristic Park of Nations or the Oceanarium! Said to be the world’s most amazing aquarium, it boasts of recreations of oceanic ecosystems, 25,000 fish, sea birds and mammals. Get your souvenirs at Baixa, Comercio Square and Rossio Square. The Santa Justa Elevator is a street elevator that connects Baixa to Chiado, a more upscale retail paradise.

Stay at the Hotel Anjo Azul in Bairro Alto. When hungry, visit the Cafe a Brasileira in Chiado for delicious charcoal-grilled sardines and cod fishcakes.

Start at the Piazza Del Duomo, one of the world’s largest and most beautiful cathedrals, which is within walking distance of dozens of other attractions, including palaces that are home to a host of significant works of art including da Vinci’s Last Supper. Fashionistas will want to check out the refurbished Nestle factory, which houses the Armani atelier and the Brera district, a quaint yet very fashionable area full of beautify shops.

From ristorantes (restaurants), trattorias (cheaper version of restaurants) to pizzerias, you’ll be spoil t for choice when it comes to food. Try Bagutta, a famous Milanese restaurant offering typical Milanese fare or step into the historic 600-year-old Antica Trattoria Monlue, mentioned by Manzoni in his novel The Betrothed. For truly low-budget eating, there are street markets scattered around the city where you can get fresh cheese, salami and fruit. For accommodation, you can choose from small family inns to dorm-style rooms such as Hotel Sabatino Milan.

Hong Kong market
Guys will so get in the way if they can’t keep up with the Hong Kong shopping pace.
Joey from the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Singapore office, wasted no time in bringing us to the malls. If it’s hip, trendy buys you’re after, head straight for the amazing Langham Place Mall in Mongkok — it’s got 15 floors of goods and will give you a buyer’s buzz for sure! The Spiral Zone houses over 100 up-and-coming designer labels, accessories and collectibles, all laid out bazaar-style to get that shopping adrenaline pumping.

When we hopped over to APM Mall. Why APM? It’s a play on am and pm because the mall’s open every day from 11am till midnight! The restaurants stay open till 2am and the entertainment spots all the way till 6am! It’s totally accessible from the Kwun Tong MTR.
We went gaga over brands like Biotherm, Clinique, Maybelline and L’Oreal Paris. It even has the largest DHC (a popular japanese beauty brand) store in Hong Kong.
We dropped by Shoegirl where you can get gorgeous custom-made shoes and bags. Pop into Pink Martini, and you might just be shopping alongside actress Charlie Yeung. It carries fabulous frocks sourced from Europe and Japan. The clothes are all one-of-a-kind and we simply couldn’t resist trying them on. In case you’re feeling a little guilty for blowing all that cash on yourself, Dusty, a local streetwear brand, has some funky caps and tees for your guy.

The place for quirky stuff has got to be LCX at Harbour City. The youth-oriented level has stores like Foam Factory where you can handmake your soaps, and The Palace, Prince & Princess where you can snap up a tiara!

Hong Kong Food and Restaurant
A serious shopper has to refuel and in the food paradise that is Hong Kong, there are many places to do just that! Macau Restaurant’s value-for-money breakfast sets (just HK$21) are great! Don’t miss its famous pork chop buns and Portuguese egg tarts.
Temple Street’s Hing Kee’s claypot rice is another must try. It’s got ingredients such as pork ribs, eels, beef slices and even crabs in it. Over at Central, we slurped up Min Yuan Noodle House’s crisp, handmade thick broth of beef brisket noodles. Street stalls are definitely the best places for an authentic foodie experience!

For some posh nosh, there are more than enough restaurants on the menu to pick from. Fusion cuisine is really big here so we trooped to Xi Yan Sweets. If the name sounds familiar, it’s the sister restaurant of the same renowned private dining restaurant in Hong Kong that’s also opened here in Singapore. It serves the same signature dishes like Wine Marinated Chicken with Sour Plum. The desserts are utterly delectable, especially the ice dining with your girlfriend is that there’s no nagging when you pick food off her plate, and sharing always makes you feel as if you’re eating less than you really are!

Hong Kong Disney
Hong Kong Disneyland opened to much fanfare in September. Good thing it’s easy to reach the happiest place in Hong Kong — simply take the MTR to Sunny Bay and go on board the Disneyland train. It was Disney magic the moment the train pulled up with Mickey Mouse and the rest of the Disney characters adorning the carriages inside out.

Maybe it’s the Disney air but we were like two giggly schoolgirls as we watched the float parade and queued up for the park rides. We were most shutter-happy as we posed with Donald Duck, Tigger and Pooh! Don’t leave Hong Kong Disneyland too early — make sure you catch the nightly display of dazzling fireworks at 9pm.

While it’s not exactly known as a spa destination, Hong Kong does have some sweet spots for relaxation. For some downtime, we scooted off to Pretty Beauty Spa, a small chain of spas that prides itself on using natural ingredients like papaya, apple and seawood. The spa ingredients are all ordered from Banyan Tree. I picked a chocolate wrap for myself while Janice chose the Swallow Axilla (a combination of bird’s nest and honey) wrap. Other tempting treats: Coffee Exfoliator or Rice and Sandalwood Healer. It offers great deals too — get an aroma massage, milk spa soak and body wrap for just HK$48o for 90 minutes of body indulgence.

And if you’re looking for the latest trend-setting look, make an appointment at II Colpo Avant Garde. This hair salon has styled the locks of Hong Kong pop stars like Alex Fong so we took their leads and left with an updated do!

Hong Kong is party central! Whether you’re in the mood to boogie up a storm at a club at Lan Kwai Fong or croon at a karaoke joint, Hong Kong pretty much has it covered. Minden Avenue at Tsim Sha Tsui has recently become the hot spot for locals. Wine bars, cosy alcoves and thumping R&B clubs can be found along this short stretch. We made our way to Cloudnine, a slick after-dinner drinks club with an adjoining KTV lounge and people-watched the night away.

If you prefer something a little more laid back, Lace is the perfect place for an afternoon cuppa. This Parisian-chic hideaway combines a cafe and a concept store selling vintage clothes. We just couldn’t tear ourselves away from the plush, comfortable surroundings.
Hong Kong gave was a whirlwind of a trip and we hadn’t even explored the entire city yet! We agree that it’s perfect for a getaway with the girls. Be it shopping, dining or chilling out, the city sweeps you up in its never-ending cycle of activities. And whether you’re going on budget or aiming to live the high-life with your chums, you’re bound to find something that will make it an unforgettable getaway.