On Wednesday May 14 four lucky agents flew out to Hong Kong on a three-night fam trip with Travel 2, in partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Cathay Pacific. On this page you will be able to find out what they did. The agents were followed by a film crew creating a special report which will be uploaded on to ttglive and used by Hong Kong Tourism Board as a training tool. Watch a video about Hong Kong here: Discover Hong Kong
The lucky would-be travel presenters were Gemma Brown from Freedom Australia, Sanjay Oberoi from Global Village and Laura Marshall of King World Travel (see below, left). The winners were joined by Roving Reader Rachel Wilford from Designer Travel who reported back on their adventures for TTG. Read her Roving Reader report here
Video
Check out the video on the right for a preview of what took place on the trip. For the chance to view the full length film and win a £100 Fortnum and Mason Hamper and 20 other great prizes, visit www.HongKongRevealed.co.uk
Photos Check out photos on the right by pressing the white play button. Then click on the small arrow image in the bottom right corner to view them full-screen. Photos: Iceni Photographs
Rachel Wilford's report on the fam trip:
May 17
"Last night was a late one!
"We took the Metro to Lan Kwai Fong which is where all the night life is in Hong Kong we described it as the oriental Ayia Napa! We had lots of fun, drinks and laughter.
"The metro was a great experience - immaculately clean, efficient and no over crowding. In fact the complete opposite to our underground in London - it was also a calm experience as we have found Hong Kong in general to have the feeling of calm as the people do not seem to rush around like they do in the UK!
"We had a slower start to the day and a more leisurely breakfast which was good. Then the excitement began……. Sanjay, Laura and Gemma were taken by helicopter from the Hotels helipad to The Races at Sha Tin Horse Racing Course. We followed in the bus and when we got there we were taken to the VIP enclosure where we had a box and were given the most wonderful lunch and unlimited drinks and refreshments and then the betting began and we all had a dabble and some of us won. The race course was so clean and well organized.
"After the races we chilled out in the hotels leisure facilities and they treated us to an hours full body massage which has completely relaxed us for our long flight in a few hours time.
"This fam trip has certainly been the most amazing experience and we have all been thoroughly spoilt and extremely well looked after. The whole group bonded the minute we all met at terminal three and we will be keeping in touch. Experiencing Hong Kong the way that we have has given the most amazing insight and no doubt will boost sales for everyone on this trip. We have Lived It and Love It!!"
A tram ride on Hong Kong Island
May 16
We all gathered today to board the Duk Ling which is a restored Junk boat which was restored in the 80's to its former glory. The sea was rough but we had some fun! Afterwards we went to Dai Pai Dong where the locals have drinks and snacks. Sarah Jane and I went to the Jade market where we bought some bracelets. We had an interesting time talking to the locals as well as bartering and managed to purchase some great gifts.
We had some excitement at lunchtime as we were dining at the Superstar Seafood Restaurant when all of a sudden the cameraman Dave from Iceni was being frog marched through the establishment as some ladies had complained as they thought they were being filmed when all he was doing was filming their food! We all had a fabulous lunch; some are still trying to master the use of chopsticks!
We tried to relax this afternoon as we may be having a late one tonight! Sarah Jane and I went to the spa and had a Jacuzzi, steam and a quick nap but opted to go back to our rooms where you can lie in the bath and watch your plasma screen TV.....just the job!
Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula is something else. All very grand for just 300 Hong Kong Dollars you get a traditional English afternoon tea with a live orchestra in the background. This would be a great way to impress your partner or for any special occasion.
Sarah Jane ( from Travel 2 ) and I are so impressed with care and attention that we have received from Carmen from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Our body guard and guide Fred and Jerome from Cathay Pacific.
Tonight we have just found out will end up in a Karaoke private room singing for our supper!!!
Cheung Chau Island
May 15:
Morning: "We just had a guided tour of The Peninsula and saw the various room categories which were beautiful. We then attended a hosted Chinese meal with Bonie, the marketing manager. The food was exquisite and 8 courses!! After dinner we went down to the harbour and watched the spectacular symphony of lights and we went to the top of a cruise ship as it came into the harbour - it was truly amazing. We all then went to temple night market which was a real culture shock...very hustly bustly and there was some form of Chinese karaoke which was different! Laura had her fortune read down there and seemed very happy with what they said to her. After Temple market, we came back for a drink in the hotel but found ourselves in some basement bar nearby where there were ladies of the night, so we made a hasty retreat!
We have had a lovely buffet breakfast this morning followed by a Thai Chi class which was so relaxing and we are now off to a fishing village and the Giant Buddha.
We will be in touch again later...
The Peninsula Hong Kong
Afternoon: We attracted some serious crowds whilst we filmed our tai chi class in Hong Kong – rumour has it we are filming the next Bond film! We’ve even got a body guard called Fred because we are getting so much attention from the locals so feel like proper movie stars now. After the tai chi lesson, we went to Tai O Village and loved it. We saw a couple getting married and all the locals living in stilt houses but we lost Sanjay – finally found him again thank goodness.
"Afterwards we went to the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island. We came across a fantastic beach where Gemma and Laura spotted a couple of Baywatch hunks and did some filming to illustrate how Hong Kong is not just a city break, but has some stunning beaches. We felt very relaxed and peaceful afterwards, great contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city. The cable car from Giant Buddha had a fantastic view of the airport, in fact you’re so high up you feel at the same level as the Cathay Pacific jets when they take off!
"Bought far too many shoes from a shopping outlet called Ngong Ping Village – only £14 a pair and far too many chopsticks!
"This afternoon we’re heading for the Star Ferry and dinner at Mansai Causeway and cocktails.
"No rest for the wicked……
Evening: "We boarded the Star ferry ride across Victoria harbour to Hong Kong Island where we boarded the “Ding Ding" which is an old tram and the jilting made us all feel very sleepy but soon recovered after having another a Chinese meal! In fact I have forgotten how to hold a knife and fork as we use chop sticks all the time! We got back to the Hotel and had some drinks in the Felix bar and the film director Andy sampled the gents as the view from the urinal is a panorama of Victoria Harbour!
"I made the mistake of inviting everyone back to my room and I finally kicked them out at 3.30am."
May 14: Morning: "What an amazing flight we had....Cathy Pacific is a fantastic airline. I was lucky enough to have an upgrade to business class which was a great experience!
"We have just had a warm welcome and the red carpet treatment at The Peninsula Hotel. OMG what a plush hotel - Sarah Jane says it is similar to Raffles. Our rooms are extremely spacious and have the most stunning views across Victoria Harbour. We are just showering and getting ready for our afternoon adventure which I will fill you in with later.....watch this space." Afternoon: "We have not stopped today! A Rolls Royce was waiting for Sanjay, Gemma and Laura outside the hotel and we were taken to the Peak tram, followed by Sarah and myself in a red cab! The Peak is the only way to capture the skyline of Hong Kong and the view was absolutely incredible. We had a lovely Vietnamese lunch at Stanley waterfront followed by a trip to the local market where we enjoyed bartering (to a fashion). After lunch we had a boat trip around the harbour in a Sampan which was great fun...now we are off again to temple market after coming back from the Symphony of the lights!"
Victoria Harbour
About Travel 2
Travel 2 offers a comprehensive selection of tailor-made holidays to Hong Kong and beyond. With its extensive range of flights, hotels, tours and sightseeing it offers the perfect blend of choice, flexibility and excellent value for money for your customers. Visit travel2.com to download a copy of the new 2009 Asia brochure.
Travel 2 marketing director Alasdair Farrimond said: “We are really excited about offering this fam trip and giving the lucky winners the opportunity to star in their own travel report.
“It’s also a great chance to share their specialist first hand knowledge of Hong Kong in a fun and engaging manner to help others polish their Asia selling skills”.
For more information and to book visit www.travel2.com or call 0800 0224 182
A view of Hong Kong and Kowloon from The Peak
About The Peninsula Hong Kong
One of Hong Kong’s most endearing colonial landmarks is The Peninsula Hong Kong. Originally opened in 1928, the fleet of bottle green Rolls Royce’s make an impressive statement as you approach the hotel.
Afternoon tea taken in the lobby to the string quartet is an institution, the Felix bar serving ice cold cocktails and contemporary cuisine is one of the most famous in town and the stylish guestrooms command magnificent views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island beyond.
For pure indulgence spend an afternoon in The Peninsula Spa by ESPA with its many treatment rooms overlooking the harbour, the experience is second to none.
