Your first stop, as you discover the best of Hong Kong, is at the Bird Market where the amazing array of artistically crafted bamboo birdcages are on display, and the "warbling" competitions must be heard to be believed. Walk along Flower Market Street, with row upon row of shops and stalls selling cut flowers and potted plants from all over the world. The Jade Market is a great place to browse and pick up souvenirs. To the Chinese, jade is the most important stone, as it is said to have great spiritual value and to represent wealth, good fortune and power. Before lunch, there will be time for a quick ride on the Peak Tram funicular to the top of Victoria Peak to enjoy the panoramic view of Hong Kong and the Kowloon Peninsula spread out far below. Lunch is served at Cafe Deco, an art-inspired restaurant on the top of Victoria Peak, which commands spectacular views of Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon peninsula. Continue on a drive past Repulse Bay to the south side of the island. Take in panoramic views of one of Hong Kong’s most popular and beautiful beaches, along with the beautiful hotel that has long been a landmark. Proceed to Aberdeen where fishermen and their families live on thousands of junks and sampans. You’ll take a short sampan ride here, and stop briefly at one of the city’s jewelry workshops. A 30-minute coach ride brings you to Stanley—one of Hong Kong’s oldest settlements. It is a fishing village nestled picturesquely on the sandbar of Stanley peninsula, on the southeast coast of Hong Kong Island. A century ago, it was notorious for pirates and their smuggling activities. Today, it is best know for its markets, that specialize in sports shoes, clothing and Chinese handicrafts. It offers brand name clothing as well as excellent faux brands, hand-painted porcelain and souvenir items that overflow from the shops in the bustling market’s narrow lanes. Shopping in Stanley is always fun and there are many bargains to be found.

Notes:

Due to renovations at Café Deco, lunch at Café Deco has been replaced with a dim sim lunch at the Jumbo Floating Restaurant for all calls after March 25, 2012.