Rory's Hong Kong / Macau Travel Blog

That's right, May 12th marks Buddha's birthday, who, let's be honest must be getting on a bit and although the old man's celebration isn't quite as raucous as Hong Kong's other Chinese festivals, there is still plenty to see.

Obviously, most of the action takes place around the city's Buddhist temples, including the massive bronze, seated Buddha out at Po Lin Monastrey on Lantau Island. Ceremonies remembering Lord Buddha will be taking place, while Buddha statues will go for their annual bath. Find out more in our guide to Lord Buddha's Birthday in Hong Kong.

The seemingly unstoppable rise of Macau continued into 2008, as the former Portuguese Colony attracted more visitors to the city than Hong Kong in the first quarter of 2008. Hong Kong snagged 7,275,521 visitors, while Macau topped them with 7,506,309.

Don't be deceived, Macau's figures are given a healthy boost by the number of gamblers from Hong Kong and China who tumble over the border to the city's bulging casinos at weekends. When it comes to international tourists, Hong Kong still has the beating of its sister SAR.

If you're wondering what Macau is all about, and it's not all blackjack and slot machines, check out our Macau One Day Tour. Or, if you want to take a punt, try our Macau Casinos Guide.

Hong Kong has several months dedicated to various countries, holding festivals for the likes of Canada and Mexico, however the inspiration for these cultural festivals is Le French May, now in its sixteenth year. Le French May serves up an unrivalled selection of exhibitions, films, opera, film, workshops and restaurant shipped over straight from France.

Le French May effectively invades the city’s many cultural institutions for the month of May, as well as much of June, to showcase the best the Gallic nation has to offer. With so many events on offer, it can be tough to pick favourites, however 2008 stand-outs include Rain/Bow, an all singing, all dancing contemporary circus show, and the exhibition of over 100 hundred etchings by Pablo Picasso. For full information on what's on where, as well as ticketing information head for the Le French May website.

Bruised and battered, the Olympic torch arrived back on Chinese soil today, reaching Hong Kong, possibly the last flash point on the flame's path to Beijing. Several foreign Free-Tibet activists have already been deported from the territory after being detained at Hong Kong Airport.

Hong Kong has a history of tolerating peaceful protests and some are expected during the relay on friday, with 3000 police officers on duty to guard the torch.

The Hong Kong Olympic torch route has been announced, although the Hong Kong government has reserved the right to alter the route at the last minute.

After an announcement last week that they would no longer issue Chinese multiple entry visas in Hong Kong, the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong is now no longer issuing any visas for travel to China accept to those holding Hong Kong work or residents permits. You can still apply for a China visa in Hong Kong through the China Travel Service, although this may also change.

It is expected that visa issuing will resume after the Olympic Games. Due to the fluidity of the situation, tourists planning to visit China are advised to apply for a visa in their home country.

This has no bearing on visa rules for Hong Kong.

-- Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs
-- China Travel Service
-- Travel to China

Hong Kong is expecting to be buffeted by the first typhoon of the season on Friday and Saturday, courtesy of Typhoon Neoguri. The typhoon, on its current course, is expected to only skirt Hong Kong, however Typhoon signal three is expected to be hoisted later today (Friday).

Although the typhoon is likely to have a minor impact on Hong Kong, aside from dire weather, you should take the necessary precautions and stay updated. See the links above for what to do and what to expect.

Daredevil Alain Robert, dubbed Spiderman, scaled the side of the Four Seasons hotel yesterday to raise awareness of global warming. The Frenchmen has scuttled up the side of the world's tallest buildings, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Malaysia's Petronas Towers, always without a safety harness.

Yesterday's climb went without incident, aside from a little slip. Robert was arrested when he got his feet back on the ground but then immediately released. See some of Hong Kong's best buildings in our Picture Guide to Hong Kong Skyscrapers.

Reports are emerging that Oasis Airlines, Hong Kong's budget airline, has gone into liquidation and halted flights with immediate effect.

If you are holding an Oasis ticket you are encouraged to contact the airline for a refund on 00852 3628 0628. Cathay Pacific has also stepped in to help passengers who are holding Oasis tickets and need to fly to Hong Kong, they are offering special reduced fares, including a one-way fare from London – Hong Kong for £160. The Cathay Pacific hotline for Oasis customers is 0044 208 834 8893

-- Full AFP article

-- Oasis Hong Kong Profile

In light of events in Tibet, China has stopped issuing multi entry visas from its office in Hong Kong. Tourists can still obtain single-entry and double-entry visas to China, but can expect to wait four days rather than the usual two for them to be issues.

An official statement for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that multi-entry visas for entry to China would not be issued in Hong Kong until at least October 2008.

Asia’s biggest sports tournament, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, got underway today, with the festivities and rugby playing out until Sunday.

Check out the video above for a behind-the-scenes tour of the tournament and Hong Kong with the England Sevens team – a confident bunch.

If you’re still in the dark about the Sevens, check out our Hong Kong Sevens Photo tour, or Hong Kong Sevens Guide.