CHINESE NEW
YEAR IN HONG KONG
DAILY ITINERARY
Day 1 & 2. DEPART NORTH
AMERICA Enjoy
your jumbo jet flight to the Orient with complimentary headsets, movies,
beverages and meal service. As you cross the International dateline and move
your watch ahead 16 hours, you temporarily "lose" a day. You’ll gain
it back later. (IFM)
Day
3. ARRIVE HONG KONG Arrive
in bustling Hong Kong and settle into your hotel of choice for 4 nights, The
Kimberley, the Harbour Plaza, or the Shangri-La, all located in Kowloon, Hong
Kong’s major shopping, dinning and entertainment area. Chinese New Year is the
most festive season in Hong Kong and is always a vibrant fusion of traditional
culture and modern sophistication. But in the year 2002 - with the arrival of
the Year of the Horse - the party will be bigger, brighter and more exciting
than ever. (IFM)
Day 4. HONG KONG SIGHTS /
VICTORIA PEAK / REPULSE BAY / ABERDEEN FISHING VILLAGE / STANLEY MARKET A
splendid introduction to the wonders of Hong Kong, this morning's sightseeing
tour takes you to Victoria Peak, where you will enjoy the breathtaking views of
the city, the famous "Fragrant Harbour", the surrounding hills of the
Kowloon Peninsula and the South China Sea. We then continue to Repulse Bay with
its splendid beaches and to Aberdeen, where boat dwellers live on junks. We end
the tour with a visit to the famous Stanley Market. The afternoon is at your
leisure and you may want to visit the Flower Market. During the Chinese New Year
season, huge markets sell colorful seasonal blooms, ranging from delicate potted
varieties to immense flowering trees. Open a few days before Chinese New Year
until the early hours of New Year's Day, these markets are a real treat for the
senses. Cheerful crowds shop for auspicious kumquat trees, narcissus and
peonies, which all symbolise prosperity. Oranges signify good health, while
tangerines with their leaves intact ring in long-lasting relationships and
"fruitful" marriages. Join the fun and make a special floral purchase
of your own for a joyful and prosperous Year of the Horse. (B)
Day 5. RESERVED SEATS FOR THE
CHINESE NEW YEAR’S MAIN PARADE It's
party time on the first day of the Year of the Horse, when the 2002 Chinese New
Year Parade booms, bounces, dances and gyrates its way along the waterfront
between Central and Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island. Set against the magnificent
backdrop of world-renowned Victoria Harbour, the stars of this year's parade
will, of course, be the dancing dragons. A cavalcade of elaborate floats,
costumed performers, local and overseas cultural troupes, musicians and marching
bands, will also take to the streets to treat you to a once-in-a-lifetime
spectacle. Performers from all over the world will add to this East-meets-West
extravaganza, which truly reflects the unique, international character of the
City of Life. And you’ll enjoy this spectacular parade from the comfort of
your reserved seat. (B)
Day
6. THE BIGGEST SALES OF THE YEAR / SPECTACULAR FIREWORK DISPLAY
Shoppers will be amazed by the fantastic bargains available at Chinese New Year.
A long-held tradition of "out with the old, in with the new" dictates
that everyone kicks off the New Year with a set of new clothes. Chinese New Year
discounts are usually big, often topping 50%, and with the Year of the Horse
sales, expect your savings to be bigger than ever before. Tonight, a dazzling
display of colour awaits you. Many buildings around the city will be dressed up
into skyscraper-high neon greeting cards. Along the waterfront on both sides of
Victoria Harbour the view promises to be spectacular. Launched from barges
moored in Victoria Harbour, the fireworks create a sea of stars filling the
night sky with "prosperous flames". This event attracts huge crowds
that gather along the shore to marvel at the world-famous pyrotechnics. Some of
the best ways to enjoy this spectacular show will be to join a harbour cruise,
hop on the ferry, or take a stroll along the Waterfront. Whichever way you
choose to see it, the Chinese New Year firework and light displays are sure to
dazzle your senses. (B)
Day 7. FLY TO BANGKOK,
THAILAND Today you’ll be
transferred to the airport and fly to Thailand. Arrive in exotic Bangkok and
settle into your home for three nights, the Century Park Hotel. This 4-year old
hotel has 383 guest rooms with a full range of international amenities. The
spectacular black and gold marble lobby is fully complimented by the wall size
paintings. It offers attractive rooms with tasteful furnishings, marbled
bathroom with separate bathtub and shower, hairdryer, pool, steam room, health
club, beauty salon and restaurants. The Century Park is ideally situated in the
midst of the bustling commercial and shopping district of Pratunam, near the
Victory Monument. (B, IFM)
PERFORMANCE The highlight of your
morning tour is a visit to the Grand Palace, the Coronation Hall, the Famous
Emerald Buddha and the replica of the Angkor Wat Temples. Tonight, enjoy dinner
in an authentic Thai restaurant. This pleasant evening shows you an aspect of
Thai hospitality with a meal that is meticulously prepared and served in the
customary manner. Then, a classical dance performance is presented with the
glittering costumes and the grace and beauty of the Thai dancers, bringing the
folk stories of Thai culture to life. (B, D)