Let me know about Tokyo. I live in the suburbs, and know a great cheap hotel, and many other things about the greatest city in the world. If you have any questions ask away! If you are in there on the weekend, you are welcome to buy me a drink

Have a great time!

Where are you staying?

Sailor, I don’t know yet where I’ll be staying (I just bought my LP-Hong Kong & Macau guidebook and will dig into it this weekend). Most likely, it’ll be a hostel in HK and maybe splurge for a hotel in Tokyo.

How expensive are these cities, really? I don’t wanna blow my wad, so to speak, but I ain’t on that tight of a budget.

The first time I went to HK, I stayed at the HI hostel atop Mt. Davis, if it’s still there. The only problem with staying there is that it was very difficult to find taxis to take you there. The road up the hill as dark and full of potholes and the taxis just didn’t want to go there. I would’ve been too scared to walk up that hill at night withut a flashlight.

The second time I booked at some student hostel via the airport booking desk (I wasn’t supposed to be in HK-long story) that had a less scenic but better location. It was not part of the Chung King Mansion. The room was tiny and the room’s AC literally was up against my bed.

PLease let us know where you end up staying and how you like it.

Hey Sickboy, what’s the best (cheapest) way to get from Narita Int’l Airport to central Tokyo? Does the subway run out to the airport?

Thanks!

Cheapest way is the limited express Keisei line train. It is like a normal train or subway car, and makes several stops along the way. That costs 1000 yen. The Skyliner is about 10 – 15 minutes faster, is clean and comfortable. Also, it has two smokinging cars if you are so inclined. Thats 1920 yen, but is fast and luxurious. I dig it.

Both trains run to Ueno station, in north east Tokyo.

Near Ueno I can recommend two hotels, two stops away.

Hotel New Koyo http://www.newkoyo.j… – Friendly people and 2,500 for a night in a private room, using shared showers and bathrooms. I’ve stayed here approximately 3 months and about 10 times. It’s my home away from home, and all the staff are friends. My favourite hotel in the world!

Andon Ryokan http://www.andon.co…. – More upscale and expensive but nearby the other. It’s a great place run by great people (the same). On the website I am guest #11 (not updated) but that was a very drunken New Years photo of me and the girl.

I’m happy to answer any questions!

Thanks for the recommendations, Sailor and Sickboy. In HK, I might try and find a hostel on Hong Kong Island. In Tokyo, Sickboy’s recommendation, the Andon Ryokan Hotel, may be just what I’m looking for….

Are you in Tokyo for the weekend? If so,I know a thing or two about the nightlife…

Koyo is much cheaper, but Andon is lovely. Two of my really good mates work there, drop my name (well, not sickboy) and they will take extra good care of you.

Sailor, I looked into the Mt. Davis Youth Hostel, but everything I’ve read confirms your statement that it’s hard to get to. I’m meeting a buddy out there and he arrives at night, so I’m not sure he’d appreciate trying to find that place while already in a jet-lagged state.

I did an online search and found one possibility: The Dragon Hostel, on Kowloon but not part of the Chungking Mansion or Miramar Mansion on Nathan Road—this place is further back from the harbour, in the Mongkok shopping district, but sounds nice. Here is the link:

http://www.trav2hong…

What is the deal with those "mansion" places anyway? The LP guidebook makes them sound like drug dens with a different budget place on each floor?

Also, any favorite things to see and do in HK (besides shopping ?)

I stayed in the Wang Fat Hostel in Causeway Bay and would recommend it. (its mentioned on that same trav2hongkong website).
Have you been to Hong Kong before? Its definitely touristy, but the views from Victoria Peak, on a clear day, are spectacular.

speaking of these "mansions", i stayed at a hostel on nathan road 4 years ago, (sorry can’t remember the name at the moment). but i definitely remember that area being a busy and happening street full of shops and people of different backgrounds. although i didn’t feel unsafe when i stayed there but the hostel was overly priced and the[url=‘http://geocities.com/leatravel9/hongkong.html’]room[/url] was so crammed you could hardly walk in it. it’s a good idea to stay away from rathan road.

don’t forget to try the hongkong version of the pearl (bubble) tea. take a day trip to macau. also you’ll find the outlying islands to be a pleasant escape from the chaos of downtown hk.

I’ll try to track down the name of the place I stayed at. We booked it through one of those tourist info kiosks. They provided the best deal of the trip. I think we paid about $75 for a very nice and modern room. It was a very good deal.

Take a ferry to Macau. The Portugese influence is quite interesting.

In HK, it looks like I’m gonna end up staying at the Hotel Empire – Kowloon. The place has an indoor pool and is not too far back (~10 blocks) from the harbor. I found a good internet special that might work: since I’m travelling with a friend, the cost for five nights for 1 room with 2 twin beds cumulatively is only about $30 USD more than 5 nights in 2-bed room at a hostel or guesthouse in Causeway Bay. Thanks everyone for their suggestions.

I’ve been reading LP-Hong Kong & Macau and I’m still a little confused on the "status" of Macau. Will I need to bring my passport and go through customs at the Macau ferry terminal, or is it just a simple day trip from HK with no migration issues?

Also, any recommended beaches? I know the swimming season will be over by then but I’d still like to check out a beach or two if I have time. Has anyone been to the black sand beach in Macau?

Yeah you’ll need a passport from HK to Macau. Macau became a Special Administrative Region of China back in ’99, and it maintains a limited democracy under the "one country, two systems" rule.

not sure about black sand beach…

cheers.