Staying in Sai Kung for a month

[ChuckCohenDVM]

Hello. We are from California and shall be staying aboard our friend's yacht at Hebe Haven Yacht Club for the month of February. We are looking for helpful thoughts. I have been to HK a few times, but not for the past ten years. So my questions are:

1) How can we get from the airport to the yacht club about 11:30 or midnight on Saturday night February 6th?

2) What is the easiest way to get to anywhere from Sai Kung?

3) We would love an opportunity to meet some expats, etc. Any especially easy way to do this? We'll plan to eat aboard our boat, but like local folks will certainly look to enjoy some small scale and upper end restaurants.

4) I may be looking for some nautical antiques that don't cost a fortune. Any suggestions as to where to find same would be appreciated. We'll plan to do many of the good things going on, but if there is something unique or seasonal to enjoy we would love to know. Hope to crew with some folks for the Kowloon Cup in February.

5) We anticipate doing some sailing and enjoying folks at the yacht club, but would like to be able to come and go to beautiful downtown Sai Kung. If we choose to rent bicycles or such is there an easy way to do so? Is it safe to ride bikes in the area?

6) If we go into China itself what is the most logical way to do so? Is it possible or practical to rent a car? Are the trains reasonable, say to Shanghai?

Thanks you very much.

Chuck Cohen

[carang]

(1) What is the easiest way to get in and out of Kowloon and the islands?
public transport. there are minibuses to both hang hau and choi hung MTR stations. then take the train to where you want to go.

2) We would love an opportunity to meet some expats, etc. Any especially easy way to do this? We'll plan rto eat aboard our boat, but like local folks will certainly look to enjoy some small scale and upper end restaurants
steamers, the pub in sai kung town seems to have a regular set of locals, as does the duke of york. there is also your friendly neighbourhood starbucks.

sai kung has quite a few restaurants that are not bad. you shouldn't have any trouble finding something to suit you.

4) We anticipate doing some sailing and enjoying folks at the yacht club, but would like to be able to come and go to beautiful downtown Sai Kung. If we choose to rent bicycles or such is there an easy way to do so? Is it safe to ride bikes in the area?

don't know of any place to rent bikes, besides the road between sai kung town and the yacht club is usually fairly busy. not a road i'd want to ride on unless i knew the area very well (and i do). easiest way to get around is the public transport. there are double decker buses and minibuses that you can catch easily to sai kung town.

5) If we go into China itself what is the most logical way to do so? Is it possible or practical to rent a car? Are the trains reasonable, say to Shanghai?

i don't think you could get a car unless you also got a local driver. besides, driving in china is strictly for the totally insane. you can easily catch the train to shanghai or beijing, but they are long, long rides. you might find it much easier and more comfortable to fly.

[Raccon]

1) How can we get from the airport to the yacht club about 11:30 or midnight on Saturday night February 6th?

At that time I suggest a taxi. Or take the Express Rail to Kowloon Station and a taxi from there.

2) What is the easiest way to get to anywhere from Sai Kung?

Easiest is taxi, but there are plenty of buses, too.

6) If we go into China itself what is the most logical way to do so?

Depends where in China you want to go. You can go by virtually any means, car (with driver), plane bus, train, boat or helicopter.

Is it possible or practical to rent a car?

You mean to rent a car in HK and drive to China? Not possible I think.

Are the trains reasonable, say to Shanghai?

See here: MTR Intercity Through Train e-Ticketing Services (scroll down, the link atop doesn't work)

[carang]

hmmmm... he changed his questions AFTER i answered them...