Hong Kong 2008

Day 1 - Victoria Peak, Madam Tussaud's, Mid-level Escalators

Woke up at 3:30 to get the kids (Sue Ching put on nice pyjamas for them the previous night thinking that we might just carry them onto the taxi while they were still sleeping) and everything ready as we have arranged with the taxi man to come at 4:45 am. Reached the airport about 5:30 am and after checking in, we were having breakfast at MacDonald's at 6am. I was quite worried that they will fine me as both the luggages we had were above the 15kg limit. But they didn't. I guess it must be because they saw that we had more than 2 passports. It was the same when we returned from Hong Kong, they didn't fine me although I saw the lady at the check-in counter fined the man in front of me for having his overweight luggage.

On board, we had the 1901 hot dog that we ordered online. It's cheaper by 10% if ordered online. The box looked big but the hot dog was only 3/4 the size of the box. It was not what I had expected. On the other hand, I liked the rendang ayam nasi lemak, which we had on the trip back although the rendang ayam were quite small in portion.I was quite uncomfortable throughout the whole flight as the Airasia seats were so crammed. I heard about the small seats before but never expected them to be so bad (it was the first time I flew with Airasia). No wonder I see those big size fellas with express boarding rush to be the first few to get on the plane to get the first row seats which had wider leg rooms.
The picture below was taken on the Airport Express. We took the AE from the Airport to the Kowloon MTR station and it cost HKD220 for 4 persons. I must salute and praise the HK transportation system as the whole system was so convinient and properly done. The Airport Express was just outside the arrival gate and we did not have much problem dragging the luggages onto the train as the levels of the platform and the train were the same. Tip: Before getting out of the arrival hall, there is an Information Centre where the tickets for the Express could be purchased and at the same counter, the Octopus cards (a must if you intend to ride a lot on the MTR. The Octopus card is likened to Touch N Go here) could be purchased. The cards could also be used for groceries in Wellcome convinient stores or some other stores that I might not know of. I paid a total of HKD754 for 3 adults and 1 Kid Octopus card with HKD50 being deposit for each card. I saved a lot on transportation and entrance fees for my daughter as we declared her to be below 3. Kids below 3 ride for free and no entrance fees are charged at all places of interest. The picture below shows me at the Kowloon Station after alighting from the Airport Express, waiting for the free shuttle bus to our hotel, Royal Plaza in Grand Century Place. Free shuttle buses are provided for transfer to all the hotels on the Kowloon and Mongkok areas. For hotels in Hong Kong island, you need to take the Airport Express until Hong Kong station to catch the free shuttle buses.
This is my first meal in Hong Kong. I had "Pak Chit Kai" (White Cut Chicken) for lunch at Cafe De Coral (a chain restaurant) the Grand Century Place, the shopping mall attached to our hotel, Royal Plaza. Beneath the shopping mall is the Mongkok East MTR station. A very convinient place to stay indeed.

We had a rest at the hotel after lunch and then took the free hotel shuttle bus (always make use of these free shuttle services to save on transportation) to Tsim Tsa Chui to take the Star Ferry across to Hong Kong island. The picture below at the Star Ferry pier shows that I was feeling quite uncomfortable due to the very hot and humid weather. The weather stayed the same throughout our 5 days stay there and with all the walking and sweating no wonder I lost weight when I came back home. Needed to drink a lot of water to rehydrate.

This picture below, taken from the Star Ferry, shows that it was quite hazy in Hong Kong. This is the Tram ride up to Victoria Peak. The tram ride plus admission to Madam Tussaud's was HKD120 for adults and HKD70 for children. To get to the Tram station, take Bus 15C jut after getting out from the Star Ferry Pier. Be sure to read the signs that will direct you to the Bus 15C bus stop.Cecelia kept insisting that I gave her a peck on the cheeks No, you don't Yao Ming.
I think you need to put it a little to the left, Tiger.
HK's night scene taken when descending on the Tram

After coming down from Victoria's Peak, we took a taxi (HKD16) to Yung Kee Restaurant, famed for their roasted goose which didn't taste that great to me. It tasted like roasted duck.

I did like the century eggs they served though.

After Yung Kee, we wandered round the Lan Kwai Fong area and walked along the mid level escalators. The escalators were reputed to be the longest in the world. Thereafter it was back to the hotel after so much of walking and sweating.

Day 2 - Ocean Park, Symphony Of Lights

We started day 2 by having Won Ton Mee for breakfast in one of the shops near our hotel. Too bad, I forgot to snap any pictures as I was too eager to sink my teeth into the shrimp won tons. After breakfast, we took the MTR from Mongkok station straight to Admiralty MTR station where we boarded the 629 bus to Ocean Park. We bought the Ocean Park tickets, HKD185 for adults and HKD 93 for kids, at Admiralty MTR station. The 629 bus will take you to the Tai Shue Wan entrance.

The Tai Shue Wan entrance of Ocean Park

The dolphin and seal show which is a must at Ocean Park. Check the schedule for the shows once you get in or check their website .

Ocean Park -A Weedy Seadragon in the Atoll Reef Aquarium

Ocean Park - Jellyfish found in Sea Jelly Spectacular

This jelly fish below was the last picture taken with my old camera before it konked out. We had to get a new Olympus camera at Electronic Goods Street.

This cable car ride down to the Main Entrance side where the Pandas are located.

One of the many pandas on display in Ocean Park.

After exiting from the main entrance of Ocean Park, there were free shuttle buses back to the Tai Shue Wan entrance for the 629 bus back to Admiralty MTR centre but we took a cab back to our hotel in Mongkok because everyone was tired. The taxi fare back to our hotel was HKD120 inclusive of the extra HKD20, being toll for crossing the underwater tunnel. Once back at the hotel, we washed up the kids and let them rest. Then we went to the Electronics Goods street to scout for a new camera and after going through a few shops we finally decided the get the Olympus FE320. And to reward ourselves after two hours of searching and bargaining for camera, we found this Dessert shop Hui Lau Shan, a chain dessert restaurant whose specialties are mango and pamelo desserts. They also have chain restaurants in the US .

After getting the camera and the mango dessert, we rushed back to the hotel (our hotel was within walking distance from Ladies Market and Electronic Goods street) to freshen up before taking the free hotel shuttle bus at 6:45pm again to Tsim Tsa Tsui to watch the Symphony Of Lights from HK Cultural Centre. The "Symphony" is displayed daily at 8:00 pm.

We walked along the waterfront to the Avenue of Stars before the "Symphony" started.

A Junk carrying diners on board passed by the waterfront just before the "Symphony" started.

Everybody was too tired to walk anymore after watching the "Symphony" and we took a taxi back to the hotel which cost HKD50. I had Pork Burger from Macdonald's for dinner. Not as nice as my favourite, Big Mac.

Day 3 - Wong Tai Sin Temple, Check-in Disney Hollywood Hotel, Ngong Ping, Disneyland Fireworks

I woke up early on Sunday and since everybody was still sleeping, I decided to take a walk to the nearby Gold Fish Market and Flower Market. It was about 7:30am and all the shops selling flowers along the so called "Flower Market" were opened but not the shops selling fishes in the Gold Fish Market. Only one or two were opened. It's really amazing to see two whole rows of shops selling pet fish next to each other. I think you can find any type of fish you want here. As I walked along the Gold Fish Market, I stumbled upon a "coffee shop". Curious to try the ever famous HK "Lye Cha" or Milk Tea, I went in and ordered a cup and two "Poh Loh Pau" which were actually buns with butter fillings. I ask to "Loh Chow" or take away the "Poh Loh Paus" as we had planned to have Dim Sum for breakfast at Maxim Restaurant in the shopping mall where our hotel was located. Back to my Milk Tea. I prefer our Kopi or teh tarik or teh 'C' back home which taste creamier. I do not understand what's the hype about the Milk Tea in HK. And when I ordered hot Milk Tea, the lady gave me some look and again asked whether I really wanted hot and not cold. And when I looked around after ordering, every body seemed to be having iced Milk Tea for breakfast. I wonder why?
After the tea, I went back to the hotel and we went to Maxim Restautant to have Dim Sum breakfast. As we were early and considering that it was Sunday and Mid Autumn Festival (A holiday in HK, so Monday was a holiday as well), there were not so many people and a few tables were not filled yet.

Beef "Chee Cheong Fun" Brinjal with fillings

After Dim Sum, we took the MTR in the shopping mall and changed train after one stop in Kowloon Tong to get to Wong Tai Sin Temple. And understandably the Temple was packed as it was Mid-Autumn Festival. We didn't stay long as we had to rush back to the hotel to check out and check-in in Disneyland.

In Wong Tai Sin Temple

When we got back to the hotel, we checked out and went to the mall next door to have lunch. There is a food court on the 5th floor. We ordered Beef Noodle and Pork Rib Noodle from Tasty Congee and Noodle Wantun Shop.

Beef Noodle

Pork Rib Noodle"Poot Chye Koh" from Tai Cheong Bakery

After lunch we wanted to take the free Airport Exprees shuttle bus from our hotel to Kowloon MTR for the Airport Express to Tsing Yi MTR and change train to Sunny Bay MTR and then to Disney. From the Disney MTR, there are Shuttle buses to the two hotels, Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Hollywood Hotel. In the end we decided that it was to troublesome and we took a taxi instead that took us right to the Disneyland Hollywood Hotel. The taxi fare was HKD210 inclusive of HKD10 for two pieces of luggage. The check-in time for Hollywood Hotel was 3pm. We were a bit early when we checked-in at 1:45pm and also bought the the Stay and Play for 2 days ticket (offer valid until 30 June 2009) so that we do not have to queue for tickets when we enter the Park. Tickets were priced at HKD350 for adults and HKD250 for kids. Since we coulcn't enter the room yet, we left the luggage in the storage room and went off to Ngong Ping where the Po Lin Monastry and the Big Buddha are.

Sunny Bay station enroute to Ngong PingIn the Cable Car to Ngong Ping Village. The ride cost HKD98 for adult and HKD50 for kids.

The picture below is mid-way through the cable car ride. Kinda scary as it was very high up. The cable car was reopened on January 2nd this year after being shut down for several months after one of the cars dropped down. Luckily no one was injured. The duration of the ride was 22 minutes. Alternatively, if you have a phobia for heights, you can take a bus ride to the top instead. Although cheaper and not so scary, the bus ride takes a longer time to reach the top, approximately 50 minutes through winding village roads.

They seemed not scared at all and seemed to be enjoying the rideThe Giant Buddha is visible in the backgroundEnjoying some ice-cream at the cable car station. Hope the ice was not made with tainted milk.Had to pass through Ngong Ping Village to get to the Giant BuddhaAt the foot of the hill leading up to the Giant Buddha. Decided not to go up as there were too many steps. The kids were tired. Ha! Blamed it on the kids.It's like climbing up Batu Caves

From Ngong Ping, we went back to Hollywood Hotel to have Cup Noodles in the room as we wanted to rush to Disneyland to watch the Fireworks at 7:30pm. We figured that if we were going to be in Disneyland the whole day the following day, the kids would not be able to last from morning until the Fireworks in the evening. So better to watch it in the first night. It turned out that we could see the Fireworks from our hotel room (Garden View) the following evening. They even had accompanying music, that was being played at the Sleeping Beauty Castle where the Fireworks were being displayed, on TV channel 37.

Disney MTR station. Everything was Mickey inclusive the windows on the trains. The Shuttle Bus that took us to Disney Hollywood Hotel. The Shuttle service runs from the MTR station, which is also near the entrance to Disneyland, to the two hotels and back.

Everything in the room was Mickey as well.Plasma TV in the roomTwo Queen Sized BedsMickey Shower CurtainMickey Bathing Gel and Shampoo. Housekeeping will replenish this in the morning

Mickey soap. Housekeeping will replenish this too in the morningMickey Slippers. Housekeeping will replenish even this in the morning even when the three original pairs are still there.

Housekeeping will even replenish this nice cloth laundry bag. No wonder Disney HK is losing money and in the Star Biz yesterday, 24th September, Disney HK requested extension to repay a loan instalment of HKD3.1 billion after a 30 day extension.This is one thing that they never replenished, bathing robes. There were 2 adult and 1 kid robes in the closet.

Day 4 - Disneyland

There were 2 restaurants in Hollywood Hotel. One serves buffet which was quite expensive and another Hollywood Dine which serves A'la Carte. We had breakfast (below) at Hollywood Dine.

After breakfast in the Hotel lobby

After breakfast in the hotel lobby

Outside the hotel waiting for the bus to Disneyland

The queue for tickets and security check before the entrance. All bags will searched. Initially I thought they were searching for food and bottle drinks, they didn't confiscate our water bottles and foodstuff. Must be searching for bombs. Ha!!!

Buzz appeared for a Photograph sessionBuzz appeared for a Photograph sessionInside the Buzz Lighyear Astro Blaster ride. You have to shoot the "Z"s to score.The Golden Mickeys ShowIt's A Small World. This is a must. The dolls inside were just so beautiful and pretty.

Inside "It's A Small World"Inside "It's A Small World"The Disney ParadeThe Disney ParadeThe Disney ParadeThe Festival Of The Lion King show in Theatre In The WildBalloons for sale.It was time to say goodbye.The Disney MTR stationThe long way out to the Disney MTR station and shuttle bus station from the exit/entrance of Disneyland.Back at Hollywood Hotel.

Day 5 - Time To Go Home

All nice things will come to an end and how time flies. It was day 5 and our Airasia flight back home was at 11:30. We woke up about 7:30 and took a taxi to the airport at 9:am. The taxi ride was only 20-30 minutes and the fare was HKD150.

After checking out in the garden of Hollywood HotelAfter checking out in the garden of Hollywood HotelWon Ton Mee at the airport in Wong Chi Kei Noodles and Congee RestaurantPorridge at the airport in Wong Chi Kei Noodles and Congee RestaurantWong Chi Kei Noodles and Congee Restaurant in the airportDisneyland from the Airplane window

It took one whole week to sort the pictures and complete this blog and I am glad I am finally done with it. I am also very glad that although throughout my 5 days in Hong Kong, it was hot and humid without a single drop of rain, we at least covered all the places that we have set out to visit. And we were also very fortunate that we picked the right week as it was reported in The Star yesterday that Typhoon Hangpuit hit HK on Tuesday afternoon and 42 flights in and out of HK were cancelled by 4pm on Tuesday.