[Tyrantasaurus]

In March I am going on an all expenses paid trip to Hong Kong for 5 days / 4 nights.

I have never been overseas before - HELP! Where do I start?? It is a work related trip, but not with much work stuff eg 1 day of seminars, a couple of nights of theme or gala dinners, a day trip to Macau and a free day or two to do as I please.

The trouble is that I don't even know where to start. My passport is sorted, work is booking tickets etc.

Where do I turn to to sort out finances whilst I am over there? What is the best option in Hong Kong? Do I get a Visa c/c, or would my Mastercard be accepted over there? How much cash do I take on me - in Hong Kong $$'s or AUD?

Where do I get HK$ from?

Travel insurance is a must I know, so I will have to put that at the top of the list.

Even simple things like - how do I find out what the weather is generally like in March in Hong Kong?

We are flying Cathay Pacific, so I probably need to find out what size bag I can take. Though I don't want to take to much, so I have plenty of room to brings stuff back.

ARGH! I have NO idea where to start, but I know I definitely need to get started now......

Help! Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Zazzy1]

I travel alot, i am recently back from a trip home to Ireland. I have been to HK also.

Regarding the weather just google what the weather is like in HK in March, travel websites will give a grid that indicates what the average temperatures are in that country at a certain time of year.

Regarding Travel insurance do make it a top priority sometimes your health insurance provider will do travel insurance(if you have helth insurance). if not again google is your friend.

You can get HK dollars in the bank before you go or wait until you get there and go to a Bureau to Change in the airport and change your ozzie dollars into HK dollars. When i went to HK i just used my usual debit card and took out a large amount of money to keep me going for a day or two. I left whatever i didn't need in the hotel safe and only took out what i thought i would need for the day. You can use your c/c though if you wish.

If you go onto the Cathay Pacific website you will be able to find out what there baggage limit is, it will also be on your tickets so maybe ask work what it says on your ticket?

Hope this helps

[lsolaBella]

Check if work have a travel insurance policy. DHs work have travel insurance provided for all DHs work trips (including hostage cover is he goes to west Africa this year).

We always use normal ATM cards and CC when traveling.

[2bundles]

Www.tripadvisor.com

That will tell you about things to do, climate etc.

Hong Kong is lots of fun and is safe. Taxis are easy and cheap.

Macau is considered a different country, so don't forget your passport.

Any suitcase will be fine. If you can carry it it should be underweight lol!

Take a small backpack onboard with some socks, a light cardigan etc. the plane can get cold.

Visa or mc are fine. Your eftpos card will also be fine to withdraw cash while you are there. You could get a few hundred $ from any currency exchange before you go or at the airport. Otherwise it is easy to get it when you arrive from an atm. Macau accepts HK currency.

Have fun!

[Fairey]

How exciting!
As said, check the cathay pacific site for luggage limits (probably around 20kg)
Travel insurance direct is quite good and its all done online (although if its a work trip your employer may be covering that. Worth finding out about it!)
Money - look up Australia post to see if they deal with H.K dollars. Aus post don't charge for money conversion, where as travelex at the airport usually give you a lower rate and charge fees. You could also order your currency from the travelex website and collect it at the airport (its a better rate that way) my pick would be aus post first though. Or you can just withdraw money as you need it in H.K.
Carry on is your friend if you're worried about bringing back lots of things!

Enjoy your trip - I'm sure it'll be fantastic!

[starsg]

don't forget to notify your bank that you'll be going overseas if you're planning to use your c/c, sometimes if they see overseas transactions they will suspect fraud and suspend your card, so definitely give them a call before you go

[PrincessPeach]

Just a heads up, we flew cathay in April 2011 & their seats are very uncomfortable - other than that i have no complaints about them, the meals were nice.

HK is great. It's also easy to access funds from ATM's over there, but if you want to take some cash i found the best exchange rates were with the banks.

March in Hong Kong will be warm (we were there in April), however take a light jacket/cardigan as the air-conditioning in places is freezing.


Also try & buy an octopus card - it will make taking public transport very easy & you get a full refund on whatever you don't spend when you leave.

I highly recomend a visit to HK Disney though - it's a full day, but DH & I loved it.

[Tyrantasaurus]

Thanks so much for all your help and advice, it has given me a lot more confidence and calmed my nerves somewhat.

I had no idea you could just use your regular ATM card overseas - how easy does that make things??!! I think I will get an amount of HK $ to have on me in cash when I go over, and get money out of the ATM when I am over there. Phew - one less thing to panic about Though I will definitely contact the bank to tell them I am heading overseas so they don't think my activity is suspicious. I am going to hop on the Aus Post website now and check out the exchange rate there.

I do have to get the travel insurance myself, though work has given us a link to the travel agent doing all their bookings etc if we wish to buy the insurance through them. Will get onto that ASAP.

I am trying to plan my outfits down to a fine art before I go so I am not taking too much. I have a tendency to throw everything in and decide on the day what to wear, but then that works when you don't have a kg luggage limit!

As for carry on bags - what can you usually on board? I have my hand bag which is a decent size and will hold my ipad, kobo, wallet, phone and a multitude of other necessities (!) can I also take a small backpack ? Do I have to put my handbag in the luggage compartment above my head when we fly or can I keep it at my feet? Just curious as I tend to swap between my ipad and kobo quite a bit and didn't want to be forever getting my bag down. I thought also if I can take a small backpack or something on board with me that will give me a bit of extra luggage room on the way back as well.

You can't half tell I am a newbie can you??!!

[lsolaBella]

Bags can go under the seat in front. The only time you have to put bags in overhead lockers is for take off and landing if you have a bulk head or exit row without a ow of seats in front of you.

Handbag plus backpack or wheelie bag are fine. How about not taking extra hand luggage and buy bag only if needed? We usually have our suitcases as ones which can expand (note luggage limits though).

1cover is good for travel insurance. I have found any insurance underwritten by Allianz great. We have had to claim medical expenses a few times in past travels.

[Tyrantasaurus]

Oooh I like the idea of buying a bag over there is I need it. I can just hear my DH saying "Another bag??? Noooooooo!!"

Great idea Isolabella

It may seem silly me asking all these really basic mundane questions, but it makes me a bit less nervous which is good!