Hong Kong. Translated, it means “Fragrant Harbour.” In many ways, it was… I never thought it’d be my cup of tea.

Gloomy grey skies and towering skyscrapers by day transformed into a light extravaganza by night at the hands of the vibrant Victoria Harbour skyline. The glowing red of the junk boat sails against the shimmering modern city was mesmerizing.

And we had front row seats for four days – our Kowloon hotel blessing us with a nose bleed room with harbour views wider than my smile (and a dressing room to match).

Which prompted us to shop. It wasn’t hard. Nathan Road, Canton Road, Harbour City and nigh on every subway station, plaza or high rise offered designer labels to have you quickly calculating exchange rates and reaching for the Amex.

Where street vendors poked us at every corner to buy watches. Good quality they said. Or handbags and suits. It was obvious we didn’t need a beacon to tag us as tourists.

But this was certainly a timepiece kind of city, with watchmakers everywhere.

We walked streets and streets, picked up a few Cantonese words along the way (with sketchy pronunciation that humoured the locals) and enjoyed every kind of market known to mankind; from flowers, birds, meat, and fish, each offering their own distinctive scents.

As if watching your step wasn’t enough – Rafferty’s road rules, wayward pedestrians, bicycles, buses, and trams – water droplets falling from air conditioner units above kept us guessing about what just hit us on the head.

We ferried across the harbour to Wan Chai in 15 minutes (at a cost of 50 cents) to you guessed it – more shopping. Causeway Bay, Central Plaza, Times Square – a feast of fashion with no end.

Back on Kowloon, we fed our bellies which was just as much fun. Spoilt for choice we sniffed out restaurants and rooftop bars, enjoying traditional Sichuan at Qi Nine Dragons on Peking Road, dining on dumplings from dodgy side streets of Mong Kok and quaffing $50 glasses of French champagne atop the Ozone Bar at the Ritz Carlton.

Going places, we sussed out the subway and it became our friend. We punched out Metro tickets like pros and explored every train line in search of our next adventure.

And come sundown, with aching feet, crumpled maps and empty wallets we fell into the infinity rooftop pool at our very decadent home away from home.

Next stop, Shanghai…