Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [280]
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THE LONELY PLANET STORY
Fresh from an epic journey across Europe, Asia and Australia in 1972, Tony and Maureen Wheeler sat at their kitchen table stapling together notes. The first Lonely Planet guidebook, Across Asia on the Cheap, was born.
Travellers snapped up the guides. Inspired by their success, the Wheelers began publishing books to Southeast Asia, India and beyond. Demand was prodigious, and the Wheelers expanded the business rapidly to keep up. Over the years, Lonely Planet extended its coverage to every country and into the virtual world via lonelyplanet.com and the Thorn Tree message board.
As Lonely Planet became a globally loved brand, Tony and Maureen received several offers for the company. But it wasn’t until 2007 that they found a partner whom they trusted to remain true to the company’s principles of travelling widely, treading lightly and giving sustainably. In October of that year, BBC Worldwide acquired a 75% share in the company, pledging to uphold Lonely Planet’s commitment to independent travel, trustworthy advice and editorial independence.
Today, Lonely Planet has offices in Melbourne, London and Oakland, with over 500 staff members and 300 authors. Tony and Maureen are still actively involved with Lonely Planet. They’re travelling more often than ever, and they’re devoting their spare time to charitable projects. And the company is still driven by the philosophy of Across Asia on the Cheap: ‘All you’ve got to do is decide to go and the hardest part is over. So go!’
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PIERA CHEN
I extend my gratitude to friends who’ve helped to make my first Lonely Planet guide stronger than I could have made it on my own, in particular to Chan Wing-chiu, Lee Cheuk-to, Ho Wai-leng, Winnie Fu, Leung Ping-kwan, Herman Lee, Suyin Mak, Gérard Henri, Lydia Ngai, Phoebe Wong, Conita Leung, Gordon Mathews, Aloysius Lee and Susanna Eusantos. Thanks also to my editor Emily Wolman, to coordinating author Andrew Stone, and to Simon Williamson and Corey Hutchison at Lonely Planet. Finally I must acknowledge my husband Sze Pang-cheung, whose assistance and love have been crucial in ways too numerous to mention.
CHUNG WAH CHOW
Many people deserve thanks and appreciation for this project. Liz Lam and Teresa Costa Gomes from MGTO have been an invaluable source for my research by being available at any time, despite their hectic schedule. I am equally grateful for the wonderful suggestions and ideas of Calvin Kok, Teresa Freitas and António Falcão in Macau, and Jesse Warren, Thomas O’Connor, Angelo Chiu and David Abrahamson in China, and to Trey and Hera Menefee and Chiu Yi Ting for putting me up and keeping me company. Thanks also to fellow author Andrew Stone, Emily Wolman and David Connolly from Lonely Planet, as well as all those involved in completing this book. Finally a big hug and thanks to my partner, David Rheinheimer, for his endless love and support.
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OUR READERS
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