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Top Instagrammable Spots In Hong Kong

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Hong Kong is a beautiful metropolitan city of the east. After arriving in Hong Kong you undoubtedly know that this city has some kind of whimsical charm to it.

For those of you who are Instagram or Trmblr fanatics you probably see photos of Hong Kong popping up on your feeds constantly. You may even wonder where exactly in Hong Kong are those photos taken?  Even after moving to this city I have a bit of a challenge seeking out some of these hot spots, but they’re worth a trek!

I’ve complied a “top instagram list” for your first, or next visit to Asia’s World City! You can click on the description of each photo and a google location will be brought up on a new page for you. Happy hunting! Don’t forget to keep those cameras charged!

1/10 Montane Mansion

Montane Mansions is composed of 5 buildings. Two of the court yards of these buildings are popular to take some snaps in!

2/10 Coffee Shops

Coffee Shops are very prevalent here in HK. It’s popular to curate a photo of your cup, or yourself within the coffee shop. Regardless, just don’t forget to try some coffee in Hong Kong. You may even be served a cup from a coffee barista champion! Photo taken at: Fara Xoxo

3/10 Nan Lian Garden

Zen Out! In one of HK’s zen gardens, it will teleport travelers to a completely new place and bring a little peace in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Can miss the center piece of this garden, the golden temple.

4/10 High Island East Dam

This area is perfect if you tote a drone. If you’ve seen these shots on Instagram they’re probably from the popular grams of @veeceecheng, @timothyma__ and others. It’s a far place, but great visuals once you arrive.

5/10 Victoria Peak

If there’s one place you can’t miss in Hong Kong it’s Victoria Peak, or dubbed ‘The Peak’. The most iconic view in the city! If you’re on a layover and you want to do one thing, THIS IS IT!

6/10 Graham Street

Street art is becoming a staple in this part of the city. Come to Soho, or Sheung Wan and you’ll see random art posted on the walls. Graham Street Art is probably the most recognizable and popular, but you’ll be fighting a crowd at this piece, beware.

8/10 Sai Wan Swimming Shed

Sai Wan Swimming Shed and pier is another place to come and check out. Don’t forget to wear bright colors coming here if you really want to make your photos POP!

9/10 Choi Hung Estate Courts

Probably one of my FAVORITE places to visit in Hong Kong. The colors are soo enticing, and beautiful. I’ll be here on repeat because it’s just too good not to!

10/10 Hiking in Hong Kong

Many people who come to Hong Kong and want some adventure they know they can find it in the hills (or mountains rather). Hong Kong city is surrounded by them. Each direction you look theres a peak, and once you reach this peak you’ll be sure to have amazing views! Like this view from Life Of An Early Riser. [Photo taken at Dragon’s Back Hike]

 

If you have another favorite spot to snap some pics comment below! Happy hunting!

 

How I Flew First Class From Asia to U.S. For $105!

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Flying… we love and hate it. It gets us to our next destination fast, but surely not without its’ fair share of headaches! Lines everywhere, tacked on fees at check in, and don’t forget about those dreaded middle seats! Oh, the agony! What if least some of those annoyances could be alleviated? Would traveling be a bit more pleasurable? Would you consider traveling more often? I’d say yes!

I found the trick to skipping those long lines, never paying for my first checked bag again. I found this through signing up for Gold Delta Skymiles® Credit Card. This card has literally SAVED me, not just financially, but physically too. The benefits of this card are endless, and at a mere $95 annual fee (*first year waived), it’s worth the sign up.

I already knew I liked flying Delta Airlines. This airline is a bit more “business forward”, but business travelers know how to travel! Business travelers are efficient in traveling, they know what they’re doing and they do it quick. This makes it more comfortable for someone who’s a frequent traveller/flyer as well. Us frequent fliers also know the “ins and outs” of an airport, and we tend to roll our eyes are those who aren’t as savvy as we are! (Don’t deny that you haven’t had an eye roll or two at the person who has no idea how to get to their seat, put their bag in the overhead bin, or follow any sort of directions whatsoever!)

What’s the Deal?

After flying with Delta Airlines for some time I started to accumulate miles, but I wanted more. It dawned on me that I could achieve status with my favorite airline quicker by signing up with the Gold Delta Skymiles® Credit Card. Heres what you get:

  • Earn 30,000 Bonus Points*
  • Priority Boarding
  • Every dollar spent counts towards miles
  • $50 Statement Credit**
  • Earn 2 Miles per Delta Purchase
  • First Checked Bag Free *for companions too
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Travel Accident Insurance
  • Much more…

Annual Fee: $95; waived your first year

*Earn 30,000 bonus points after $1000 spend within the first 3 months. **Statement credit added after you make your first first on delta within the first 3 months.

UPDATE 11-28-16 To earn your 35,000 Bonus Miles and $50 statement credit, please email me! 🙂

american-express-delta

 

How I used my Delta Bonus Miles!

I won’t hold you in suspense any longer! At the time when I signed up Gold Delta Skymiles® Credit Card, they were offering 50,000 bonus miles. I booked a few delta flights on this card once I received it, and boom! Before I knew it I racked up that $1000 spend, and was able to get my 50K bonus miles. Not to mention DOUBLE points for booking delta flights. It was like I earned almost an extra 4,000 miles when it was all said and done after flying.

Also, at the time I was about to fly to Asia, though I hadn’t booked my return flight home. I knew my last destination before flying back to the U.S. was going to be in Hong Kong. After I received my bonus miles I began looking at flights from Hong Kong back home. I found a First Class – YES – Delta One First Class, from Hong Kong to Seattle for 75,000 points ++.

Taxes and fees had to be paid separately, which were only $105 USD!! How exciting right? First class, plus access to lounges at the airport, and private car transfers in-between the gates all for points 75K + $105. Definitely, a steal! Of course, I already had 25,000 points already in my account.

Had I not had those points I could a flown on an economy ticket for 30,000 points + taxes (roughly $50 USD).

A bit tired from a long night in Hong Kong, but I made the flight!

A bit tired from a long night in Hong Kong, but I made the flight to Shanghai.. home bound after my next connection!

 

 

My Delta Skymiles card is perfect for me. I’ve had the card just under a year and if I had the annual fee it would have already paid for itself because of the free checked baggage benefits. Plus, every dollar I spend gets matched for Skymiles and transferred directly into my account at the end of each billing statement.

 

If you have any other tips, or suggestions; please leave them in the comment section below! Happy Travels!