travelling to Hong Kong for conferences

introduction

unlike mainland China, most visitors do not need to obtain visas in advance
- Australian tourists do not require visas for visits of less than 90 days
if you fail to declare any banned or dutiable items, you can be fined up to $1,000,000 and/or face a prison sentence of up to two years. If you are caught trafficking drugs, you can be fined up to $5,000,000 and face up to life imprisonment.
sub-tropical climate
- typhoon season is between May and October, especially June-Sept
- summer (June to September) is long, humid and hot with temperatures often exceeding 32°C and with night time temperatures that do not drop below 25°C
- winters are generally very mild, with daytime temperatures of 18-22°C and nights dipping to 10°C
- autumn (Oct-Nov) is the most comfortable season as it is less humid, no typhoons after Oct, more sunny and less rain
- Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is often cold
- most buildings have air conditioning but few have heating so bring a jacket and scarf in winter
bring comfortable shoes as there are few places to rest your weary feet
high levels of air pollution
outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue fever, occur from time to time.
$HK is fixed to $US with $US1 = $HK7.80
Aust. Govt smartraveller website - HK
wikitravel - HK
June 10-15th 2014: 15th International Conference on Emergency Medicine (ICEM)

Qantas and Cathay Pacific have direct flights from Melbourne to HK which take approx. 9.5 hours and cost ~$A1000 return or ~$4000-5000 business class
- Qantas generally depart Melbourne 0930hrs arrive 1730hrs, then return departing HK 2030hrs and arrive Melbourne 0800hrs.
Singapore Airlines fly Melb-Singapore then Singapore-HK, taking about 14 hours
Virgin uses Singapore Airlines

after a typhoon by Coolbiere

Enjoy the view by Coolbiere