Hong Kong

This city is filled with so much to do and see, it does make sense to do a little planning, especially, if your pre- or post-cruise visit is only a day or two. A wander through the Stanley Market and a trip up to the top of Victoria Peak on the aerial tram are always a good bet. For some real local flavor, visit the Mong Kok Road market where locals shop for fresh meats, poultry, vegetables and an assortment of Chinese delicacies.

Shang Palace

On this trip, I treated myself to lunch at the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel's Chinese Restaurant, Shang Palace. The restaurant has been considered one of the best Chinese restaurants in the world since it first opened in the early eighties. Of course the meal was exquisite, but what struck me the most, was the peacefully elegant venue... a far cry from the typically crowded and noisy Chinese restaurants in New York's China Town.

The décor is reminiscent of the Royal Palace in the Forbidden City. The luxurious restaurant is lavishly decorated in red and gold with traditional motifs imported from Mainland China. It has been describe as "vividly evoking the grandeur of the Sung Dynasty." The service made me feel like royalty! The Peking duck was carved tableside by waiters dressed in smartly tailored, well-starched uniforms.

Executive Chinese Chef, Ip Chi Cheung, oversees the menu at Shang Palace. He and his staff manage to raise the culinary experience in this restaurant to an ancient Chinese art form. Starting with a "thousand year old egg," we enjoyed spring rolls shaped in the form of chrysanthemums, braised asparagus with hairy crab roe (hairy crab is considered a delicacy and are available only one month of the year in November), fried rice with diced scallops and a variety of additional delights.

Dining at Shang Palace is truly a special event. For more information and to make reservations, log onto www.shangri-la.com.

Tea at The Peninsula

One of the world's legendary hotels, The Peninsula opened in Hong Kong on 11 December 1928 at the height of the British Empire. It has built its reputation on the finest traditions of service and hospitality. Afternoon tea has always been a part of that tradition. A thirty-story extension to the hotel was added in 1994 and the Lobby was completely renovated making it once again one of the most elegant meeting places in Hong Kong.

Breakfast and lunch are available, but between 2pm and 7pm The Lobby offers one of the most elegant English afternoon teas any where in the world. Chinese, herbal infusions and flavored teas, with no less than five blends of Indian teas, are available. English scones and clotted cream, along with delicate finger sandwiches and pastries are served on marble topped tables with exclusive Tiffany chinaware. Live classical music is performed by the hotel's Lobby Strings ensemble, while guests sip tea and enjoy the ambiance of a truly beautiful Grand Hotel.

For more information about the unique features this hotel offers, log onto www.peninsula.com.