Hongkong Here We Come

PRICE

Air Fare:Php 3,548.55 for a two-way ticket from(to) Manila to(from) Hongkong via Cebu Pacific

Travel Taxes:Php 1,620; Terminal Fee:Php 750

Room Rate:HKD 50 per night
Entrance Fees:

DisneylandHKD 350

Ocean Park HKD 222

Peak Tram RideHKD 36

OurMeals Expenases total HKD 201.4 per pax

Our Trasnportation Expense total HKD 152.75 per pax. This consists of the Tram, Bus, Taxi, and MTR, the different trasnportations available in HK.

My pasalubong amounted to HKD 388.6 and the pair of boots I got for myself is at HKD 130.

The first thing that I was surprised with in Hongkong was…the climate. I did not expect it to be this cold. One can wear two shirts, two jackets and two pants and still feel cold.

Upon arriving at the airport, we went straight to Disneyland, thinking that we could avail of the discount for day tourists. But of course our departure tickets would be checked and so not only were we not able to get a lesser price for the entrance tickets, we even had to add HKD 60 per rented storage per bag. We did enjoy the ride and the fireworks show, but this day was really more for the kids than for adults. We had also been lucky enough to watch the float/parade. It was really nice, all the dancing and music and display. Some of the rides/attractions we get to enjoy are as follows:

• Mickey's PhilharMagic

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

• Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant

• Mad Hatter Tea Cups

• Stitch Encounter

• The Jungle River Cruise

I would really love to try Space Mountain andAutopia too, but we had no more time as the line was really long and the kids may not be allowed to take those rides anyway.
We had our noodles with us, and traveling with a limited budget we just asked around for a two cups of hot water and got ourselves a steaming noodle for merienda. Poor us. But it’s better than nothing.

We then took the tram to a certain station I already forgot the name of, to meet the contact person for our accommodation. They said it was a small house but I did not expect it to be that small. It wasn’t even a house, just a room, something that might be even smaller than a studio type condo here in the Philippines. I did not expect that the seven of us would crowd ourselves in a double deck bed. Neither did I expect that the house will not be to our own, that is, there’s another double deck bed in the same room where the renters of the unit would be spending their night. Add to that the small door that leads to the comfort-room-slash-kitchen. Poor us. But sill it’s better than having nowhere to sleep.

For Day 2, we had an early morning departure as we had a long day ahead of us. Today is the day for Ocean Park. To tell you honestly, I was actually more amazed with the Ocean Park than the Disneyland. Disneyland was fun but it was more for kids than adults.

There were two separate locations for the amusement park, and we had to ride a cable car to get to the other side. Too bad for my companion as she seemed to have fear of heights. These are the park attractions that we got to ride (not necessarily enjoy :s):

·         Dragon Roller Coaster (something I would not dare try again)

·         Raging River

·         Panda Village (this is where I had my first Panda Experience!!!)

·         Sea Jelly Spectacular

·         Ocean Park Tower

There were other rides too that we were not able to try either because the line would take up much of our time or because those who were with me were too afraid of the ride and I am hesitant to try them on my own. Some of which are The Abyss, the Mine Train, Space Wheel, Eagle, Flying Swing, and Ferris Wheel.

We had a really tiring day this day because we did a lot of walking in the amusement park but we still managed to have some energy for the Night Market at Mong Kok. It was just like what you see in Divisoria or in Baclaran, only we’re in Hongkong. Good thing is you get to haggle too. I was actually able to buy myself a pair of boots for only 130HKD. Had I not been on a strict budget, I would have bought myself a gadget too or my would-be first Nike rubbershoes.
We had our evening meal at McDonalds. There were no Chicken rice meals, only burgers – big burgers. And the orange juice taste a bit bitter but it tastes real, not some eight o’clock orange juice. When we got home, we had to clean up a little then get to bed early so we can start early again the next day.

For Day 3, we spent the day going to Peak Tram – a Tram going up the peak. At the peak there was this sort of mall where you can also visit the wax museum and have a view of Victoria Harbor, only it was bad timing and we saw nothing but fog. There was also a souvenir shop, though it’s a bit more pricey than the night market.

Overall, it was not a very relaxing vacation. It was rather tiring.
But I guess, it was worth it, to see another place outside the country, to experience the rides from another place, to meet Disney characters in person, and to witness first hand another culture.

Too bad though we were not able to go visit Macau. Poor us. J

**When you would like to visit another country, it’s better to make some researches about the place you’re going to live in. There’s Google map that will allow you to see at least the place where you’d be spending the nights of your vacation. There are sites available also that will enable you to know the weather/climate and be prepared for it. If you’ve got friends around the country, you can also ask them for tips on budget, tourist places to see, suggested clothing, and any other things you might need to know.



For a more funny version of this trip, please visit:
http://the-7th-sense.blogspot.com/2011/02/kakaibang-trip-sa-hongkong.html