The Sky100 a Panoramic View to Remember

Visitors to Hong Kong can now get a view of the city never seen before. The recently opened Sky100 observation deck in the International Commerce Center.




Hong Kong has some amazing skylines and a popular visit is a trip up to The Peak. The view from the hilltop offers spectacular views towards the Kowloon side of the territory.

The recently build International Commerce Center now offers a view of from the Kowloon side that has never really been available to the public before.

At a height of 393 meters above Victoria Harbor the Sky100 observation deck offers breathtaking panoramic views back towards Hong Kong Island and the Hills in the background. The Sky100 gives a wide view which also encompasses Lanta Island and towards Chek Lap Kok international Airport.

Hong Kong does have it`s gray days when the clouds are low or the pollution levels rise. Should this ever happen on your trip then you can still experience the atmosphere with recoded images - of so it`s not the best idea.

Like the views from The Peak, daytime and night offer contrasting scenes that you will never want to miss. If your lucky you may also catch the nightly Festival Of Light show or one of the amazing firework displays over Victoria Harbor.

The completion of the International Commerce Center makes it the tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong and currently the worlds fourth tallest building.

The cost for this fantastic memory will start at HK$125 which is about US$15.


Image via As I see it

Hong Kong’s Floating Casinos

Hong Kong is a mirror image with is sister SAR, Macau. On the former Portuguese colony casinos have become abundant. Hong Kong on the other hand has shunned this practice on open gambling.

 

While not illegal in the territory, it is strictly controlled for the local population. The main player here is the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) which offers a little thrill for a win on horse racing and the recently introduced football games.

The HKJC also runs the Mark 6 Lottery which runs every week and can make millionaires out of anybody with a lucky winning ticket. Profits from these ventures are reintroduced into the community in the for of good causes along with the promoting of sporting activities.

Gamblers who want a bigger thrill must look offshore and many venture on the short ferry (or helicopter) trip over to Macau.

However there is one alternative and that is taking a cruise. Gambling ships or Floating Casinos regularly make trips from Hong Kong's Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui to often no apparent destination. Cruise Liners depart laden with punters regularly who want to play the high roller while rolling about on the ocean waves. Once in international waters the liners open their tables and business can begin.

At one time the Floating Casinos seemed like they would sail their last trip but now business is booming. So much so that bookings must be made well in advance. The future also looks bright for rolling the dice.

The former Hong Hong airport, Kai Tak, is finally after many years being developed into a cruise liner terminal. Along with the many international voyages arriving and departing there should be a few more that will just take you on a trip to the tables.

Asian Film Awards 2010

The eyes of the world will soon be looking to Hollywood and the Oscars. Meanwhile on this side of the world the Asian starlets are getting excited about their own Award Ceremony.

The Asian Film Awards are quite recent on the scene having only stated in 2007. Even at this early age they still have all the excitement of any award ceremony.
This year the 5th Asian Film Awards will have 14 categories including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress. Not forgetting those who play an important part of movie making but not as well known Best Cinematography, Best Music Score and Best Editing.
The event will take place in Hong Kong on the 21st March.
Hot on the nominations list this year is "Let the Bullets Fly" starring Chow Yun-Fat and directed by Jiang Wen who are both in the line for an award.

Disneyland still Making a Loss

The number of visitors to Hong Kong's Disneyland park reached record number in 2010. Over 5.2 million passed through the park’s gates last year.

The increasing number of visitors is still not producing a profit for the theme park which still recorded a loss of HK$718 million for the last year.
The park faces stiff competition from Ocean Park which seems to be the much preferred site of entertainment.
Maybe Ocean Park is much more suited to the Asian Cultures with its water life shows and does not try to take the Mickey.

Hong Kong Rugby Sevens 2011

Between March 25th and the 27th Hong Kong will host the Rugby Sevens Tournament.

This yearly sporting event is looked forward to by many dedicated sporting fans. And like most recent years their loyalty is rewarded by all the tickets all sold out.
The demand is high and corporate allocations some say taking a large untitled chunk of the available seats.
Still on the bright side this round of the tournament will see teams from Australia, Scotland, Hong Kong, China and France among a long list play on the field.
Hong Kong Stadium will host the event and a now routine bit of chaos for a few days.
The tournament heads off to Adelaide, Australia for the next leg starting April 2nd.