TDN Weekend

one hour but it will take you two hours to navigate from your hotel to a Macau casino. I wouldn't rec- ommend it unless you really want to see the casino scene in Macau, very different than Las Vegas. It is a pure gaming experience in Macau and the table min- imums are set very high. This is not for the casual player. But, if you want to check the box that you went to Macau, be sure to find a nice Portuguese restaurant for lunch or dinner. My advice is to stay in Hong Kong and use the time to enjoy a nice massage – foot, body or both. If amusement parks are of interest to you, there are two solid options. Ocean Park, funded by the Jockey Club, features everything from animal ex- hibits to rollercoasters and would be worth a visit. The new kid on the block is Hong Kong Disneyworld, which is much smaller than the Disney you know, but land is much more expensive here and you may not get a second chance to experience a Hong Kong Dis- ney. You are encouraged to visit Mong Kok to check out the scene there where you can come across some street entertainers and also take a look at Tung Choi Street where Ladies Market is in full swing. This is bargain shopping and very intense. It is where you can get some fakes and you should pay about 40 per- cent of the original asking price. This is also a good spot to sample some local cuisine. If you have kids that are soccer fans, it's also a great place to pick up a knock-off jersey of his favorite player or his favor- ite team with his name on the back. Buy at least one size up as Hong Kong sizes run small. Let me leave you with the nightlife. You need to check out Lai Kwai Fong and Wan Chai, probably on the same night. Make it a late one. Hong Kong has some great music featuring Filipino bands that are incredible. Hard Rock Café in Lan Kwai Fong has some great music but it can get quite loud, so keep that in mind. You can go up to Wyndham Street and there are a wide range of clubs for a pre- or post-din- ner cocktail and good music. The action doesn't re- ally pick up until 10 p.m. but you can arrive early for happy hour. In Wan Chai, you can start out at Joe Ba- nanas or Centre Stage to enjoy live music that will impress you. Remember, you are a tourist and a long way from home. Enjoy yourself. Bill Nader is the former Executive Director, Racing of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. 59

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