How can waving your handbag over a sensor gain you entry to the underground railway network? They must have an Octopus card in there somewhere. A must-buy as soon as you arrive in HK. The best thing to use when paying for public transport (except taxis). You simply pay a HK$50 deposit (which is refunded on its return, or you can keep as a souvenir) and add as much value as you think you need. We charged ours up with HK$100 which lasted us comfortably for 3 days travel. Simply wave your card over the reader to gain entry to the MTR and then wave it again to exit. Your fare is calculated and deducted. Dead easy to use. Not only that but the MTR is the most efficient way to get around Hong Kong. My wife summed it up best when she mused that the MTR is the best underground railway she had even been on. When asked why she simply replied "it's so clean and I feel tall".

Valid though these reasons may be, what impressed me was the speed and the efficiency of the service which moves 2.4 million people every weekday through its 51 stations over 83.7km. Simple touches like a map showing you where on the line your train is and lights showing which side of the train the door will open on made the journeys more enjoyable.

Unlike older underground networks, like London, you can also get a mobile phone signal on the MTR, making sure you don't miss that vital call. It is also cheap with the maximum fare around HK$13 for a single journey (unless you venture out to Chung Tung which will set you back HK$20 – around £1.20). Of course there is the inconvenience of packed carriages at times and the confusion about which exit to take in the larger stations but the attractions are all well signposted. But we agreed that safe is the keyword for the MTR. We always felt safe, unlike in London, Rome, Paris and Barcelona, which is possibly due to the clean, modern look of the stations and the trains.

The only problem is that it is largely underground! Whilst the MTR is the way to get around Hong Kong, the Star Ferry is the only way to get from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon (or vice-versa). By taking the ferry you can get a view of the Hong Kong skyline like no other. And how much do you pay for this view? Something in the region of £1 - £2 for the 10 minute crossing, and photo opportunities aplenty. You can also use the Octopus card to make purchases from 7-Eleven stores (where you can also charge them up, as well as at MTR stations), McDonalds, KFC etc.

www.octopuscards.com/consumer/products/en/index.jsphttp://www.mtr.com.hk/

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Anthony Gormley's 100 cast iron statues staring impassively westwards is an eerie, yet atmospheric artwork. They appear and disappear with the ebb and flow of the tide (so check the tide times), and take a camera and some props for the arty and comedy photos you will just have to take.

Crosby Beach, Liverpool. Well signposted from the A565.

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A mere two kilometres off the Pennine Way in the moors above Oldham, The Rams Head is a 450- year-old-inn specialising in local produce and warm welcomes. Heat yourself in front of one of the log fires and treat yourself to some of the finest local game and seafood.

Wash it all down with some local beer or something from the extensive wine list while looking out over the moorland views.

As an extra treat pop into The Pantry shop next door and buy a pork, game or ploughmans pie to enjoy later.

The Rams Head Inn, Denshaw, Saddleworth, OL3 5UN, 01457 874802. www.ramsheaddenshaw.co.uk
Grid Reference SD977119

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For quality at a fairly affordable price in Venice, simply stay outside of Venice itself. The Hotel Bologna has been recently refurbished in a modern and tasteful style. But its real beauty is that it's over the road from Mestre railway station and just 10 minutes from Venice station and the Grand Canal.

It's also just over the road from the bus stop that will take you to (Venice) Treviso airport for your budget flight home.

Via Piave 214, Venezia, I-30171, IT
Phone: 39 041 931000
Literally opposite Venezia Mestre railway station

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In the same building that Tommy Cannon met Bobby Ball, on an small retail park just outside Oldham town centre is perhaps one of the more unlikely places for a multi award winning curry house.

Nevertheless, a small army of waiters provide excellent customer service, the modern decor is punctuated by a backdrop of projector screen Bollywood movies and the food is a testiment to Oldham's Curry Chef of the Year. A true 21st century curry house and one of the reasons I look forward to Friday!

Unit A3 Laurel Trading Estate, Higginshaw, Royton, Oldham, OL2 6LH.
0161 6282005
www.bluetiffin.co.uk

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How often have you thought "why don't we put escalators up hills?" Well, its been done in Hong Kong as an attempt to ease traffic congestion. The Mid Levels escalator failed in its objective but it is certainly the most unorthodox way this Wrestler has reached a bar. Spend the time while you are ascending peering into bars and restaurants as you pass.

From Central MTR station walk towards Central Market. At Cochrane St you pick up the escalator.

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Described to us as 'Harry Potter Bar', but when you peel back the curtain you are greeted with part camp lounge bar, part bordello. The cocktails are well worth the HK$75 and are large enough to give you time to enjoy the decor, which must have been bought and fitted by Liberace's interior designer.

38 Staunton Street, SoHo.
Turn right off the Mid Level Escalator when you get to a bar called Stauntons. It's on the left, but you must look very closely to find it.

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We took a one and a half hour train from Udine to Trieste...and it was closed. With just a few cafes open the main activity seemed to be watching some workmen dig a hole!!

Bought a sandwich and an English newspaper from Trieste station, took the 1 and a half hour train back to Udine and had a late lunch in McDonalds (the only thing open there as well).

Moral of the story...check local Bank Holiday Mondays!!

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With this being Hong Kong which type of bar would you most expect to find?

That's right… Balalaika is a Russian theme bar complete with huge bust of Lenin, lots of Soviet propaganda posters, red flags and a -20 degree celcius Siberian Vodka Room complete with fur coats (on loan, not to keep. And it's fake fur by the way).

There are over 60 types and flavours of vodka to try as well as a restaurant serving up typical Russian fayre and live Russian music.

Simply walk up Theatre Lane from Central MTR Station and be greeted by D'Aguilar Street. Walk up the steep slope, follow it round to the left and it's upstairs on the right.

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If you want to eat in LKF try running the gauntlet of Wing Wah Lane which is just off D'Aguilar Street (where most bars are concentrated).

As soon as you set foot on the street out come the chasing pack of touts trying to divert you into their restaurant but it is worth holding out and going round the bend to Co Co Curry which has a wide and tasty variety of Malaysian and Thai food as well as the extremely tasty Roti. Tasty and excellent value.

Perfectly washed down by a selection from their wide range of bottled lagers.

Wing Wah Lane, Lang Kwai Fong
Simply walk up Theatre Lane from Central MTR Station and be greeted by D'Aguilar Street. WWL is up the hill on the right.

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Bought an iPod Video 30GB in HK recently for £145, when they cost around £190 in the UK.

Being slightly anal about being ripped off I looked at www.appleclub.com.hk/buy/reseller.html figuring that if Apple have allowed them to be authorised resellers then it would be safe to buy there.

To be fair I could have just chosen any branch of Fortress or Broadway, which are the HK versions of Comet and Currys. Also, as in the UK, it is not worth shopping round for iPod's as the price difference is nominal to non existent.

Do beware the 'Bait and Switch' Scam in independent electronic shops where they show you the real item before switching it for a counterfeit product.

One final warning for the other techno-geeks out these is DON'T be taken in by shops offering Duty Free prices as there is no Duty on electronics in HK.

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34th Floor Restaurant with 270 degree views overlooking Victoria Park, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and Victoria Harbour.

All you can eat dim sum, sushi, sashimi, miso soup, freshly cooked noodles, sandwiches, quiches, fresh Fruit, chocolate fountain, Haagen-Dazs and cakes. Add all you can drink sparkling dry white wine and a price of HK$200 each (about £15) and you have a full stomach, few drinks, happy wife and happy wallet.

And if you have not had enough you can go back on a Sunday. Less of a buffet, more of a meal, and unlimited champagne instead of Sparkling Wine. HK$250 each.

Saturday Sparkling Tea Buffet is 1pm to 4.30pm.
Sunday Bubbly Brunch is 11.30am to 3pm.
Book early to get a window seat!!

www.excelsiorhongkong.com/
281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay MTR Exit D1

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