http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19539
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19539 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17575 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17575 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17364
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17364 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16971
It's also just over the road from the bus stop that will take you to (Venice) Treviso airport for your budget flight home.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16971 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15509
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!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15509 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11218 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11218 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11214 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11214 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11205
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!!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11205 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11204
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11204 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11203
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11203 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11202
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11202 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11201
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!!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11201