THERE was a time - long, long ago it seems - when the Mongkok district of Kowloon was a no-no for foreign visitors to Hong Kong.
In fact, you seldom met tourists in the area just beyond the popular haunts and hotel strip of Nathan Rd.
Not only has Mongkok now become a very much more desirable place to visit, whether you are just bargain-hunting or after something resembling fair-dinkum Cantonese tucker or atmosphere, it also has acquired some quality accommodation.
The Stanford Mongkok is your accommodation when you avail yourself of a keenly-priced four nighter from Explore Holidays.
The package costs from $1067pp twin share plus $255 taxes with the bonus of flying the excellent Cathay Pacific Airways economy class. Late check-outs can be arranged and return airport-hotel transfers are already in.
The offer is on sale until September 20, valid for travel until September 30. Talk to a licensed travel agent.
MONSTERS OF THE NILE
THERE'S half a chance you'll already have sampled it, thinking it was its close relative, the iconic Aussie barramundi.
But the Nile Perch which feature on an African Angler Safari (photo) are all about catching, not eating.
Imagine the reaction when you tell the folks back home your first ``bite'' of the week was a fighting 25kg perch. Now that's a fishy story!
African Anglers is run by brothers Peter and Tim Baily who were born and raised in Kenya and now spend a fair bit of time here as the Down Under market for their holidays with a difference continues to grow.
Their fishing safaris use live-in fishing boats skippered by expert Nubian guides, and are accompanied by well-appointed mother vessels with all mod cons including food and cold drinks up to the exacting standards of the Baily Bros.
The African Anglers Australian office is on 9966 9316 or email peter@african-angler.net
HAPPY HANAU HAWAIIAN
HAWAIIAN Airlines is currently celebrating its fourth year of non-stop services from Australia to Honolulu.
The celebration includes La Hanau (birthday) fares not only to Honolulu but on to the neighbour islands of Maui, Kauai and The Big Island of Hawaii.
Hanau roundtrip specials from Sydney are priced from $799 plus taxes of about $382 for low season travel from December 1-28 this year.01 - 09 December, 2008, and 01-28 February, 2009.
Flights to neighbour islands are available from an additional AUD $75 one-way, plus taxes.
Interestingly, our dollar was worth 77 US cents when Hawaiian opened up here. Now we're closer to 95 cents.
The special fares are based on Wednesday evening departures from Sydney and there's a booking deadline of June 27.
For bookings see your travel agent or call Hawaiian on 1300 669 106.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
THEY are more serious than most about customer service at the Park Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok where the first edition of their Thailand Visitor Update is making a big impression.
Update is a two-page hard and soft copy listing of what's on, providing guests with practical information on weather, transport tips, public holidays and events such as upcoming trade shows in the Thai capital.
The bi-monthly also includes dining and shopping recommendations.
Sure as hell beats some of the mass-produced, low-budget stuff that passes for “useful information guides” in many hotel room guest folders. DUE FOR SOME DURIAN
DON'T be put off by the dubious durian aroma . . . just stand by for the taste sensation Asia's most misunderstood fruit provides.
The Thais are currently promoting visits to their eastern provinces - the kingdom's fruit bowl.
Chanthaburi is, arguably, the durian capital of the world in terms of production, with the largest concentration of durian orchards of over 137,000 hectares (which amounts to about half of Thailand's considerable durian crop).
Each year at harvest time Chanthaburi town has a colorful 10-day fruit fair and celebration of the crop.
There are traditional fruit competitions among farmers, arts and crafts displays, entertainers, sporting events, a temporary marketplace of all kinds of things (including of course much fine tropical fruit), and much more, but the highlight for visitors has to be the fantastic parade on the opening morning.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s office in Sydney will advise on when and how to go. Call 9247 7549. | 
