Hong Kong 2015 Itinerary



the very entertaining dolphins



HK is a place you can't get tired of.  It's a small country but offers a lot of activities and sight seeing plus shopping of course!  Shopping alone can keep your days occupied.  Yes! I don't get tired of it.

Almost a year before our departure date, I scored affordable plane tickets going to Macau and exiting Hong Kong.  Why this route again?  Well, hubby has not yet seen both places so when I saw the promo, it's a sign for me to take him though he doesn't want, too (pero excited naman).

Mla to Macau = Php 4,136.00 total (couple)

Hong Kong to Mla = Php 5,000 total (couple)
Additional Baggage = Php 1,400 (yep, I had underestimated the power of retail therapy)

There is a fuel surcharge at that time so the tickets still cost a bit higher compared to promo fares nowadays.  If you think you will need extra baggage, just arrange this online as it is cheaper compared to paying the additional baggage fees during check-in at the airport.

We rode a ferry from Macau to Hong Kong.  The ticketing area is now improved. All ticketing offices are now in one area unlike before.  Getting tickets and checking-in is a breeze. 

 Ferry Fare = HKD 160 each = Php 880.00 each

We arrived in HK by night time.  I had an advanced booking in HK Tai San Guest House in Burlington Arcade.  This place is strategically located in TST.  Aside from its location and affordable price, what I like here is that the land lady (Ate Yolly) is a Filipina and Pampangueno.  She's been here for almost 20 years already so she knows the ins and outs of HK very well.  Since we're both Kapampangans, we had small chit chats about our lives.



I highly recommend this guest house for the following reasons:

1. Room with hot and cold shower, with towels and toiletries

2. Every room is equipped with a desk top computer with free Wi-Fi connection

3. You can cook meals - usage of stove and rice cooker is free (including rice)

4. You can use the washing machine for free

5. You can get discounted tickets for the theme parks

6. You can exchange your dollars of peso at high exchange rates

7. Ate Yolly is very helpful in teaching anyone on how to go to the tourist spots - the most convenient and cheaper routes

8. Most importantly, the guest house is so clean and well maintained.  All the guests are required to take off their shoes at the lobby and should wear the provided slippers while inside.

the view from our window - TST park

our allowance for this trip in HKD

the discounted tickets

Room Accomodation (3 days) = HKD 1,650.00 = Php 9,900.00 (couple)

MTWM + Peak Tram + Sky Terrace = HKD 260.00 = Php 1,430.00 (each)

Ocean Park = HKD 300.00 = Php 1,650.00

Ngong Ping 360 = HKD 220.00 = Php 1,210.00

For reservations in this guest house , please visit http://www.hktaisanguesthouse.com.  You will fill-up a form, then an email will be sent to you.  You will pay the deposit via Pay Pal.  They will create a link for payment for you.  Then, you will just be given a confirmation receipt upon payment and present this (receipt) on your arrival.

the neighborhood

cheapest breakfast... maumay ka nga lang pag araw-araw ganito

Now, for our itinerary...

Day 2, Jan. 11, 2015 (Day 1 is just our arrival and we just slept)

Ocean Park - from guest house, take MTR, embark in Admiralty Exit B, ride Bus 629 going to OP.

ride at the 2nd floor for a nicer view

You won't get lost as you will already see the buses upon exiting the MTR station.  After 30 mins., Ocean Park it is! 

finally, he's here...

This is my third visit but I'm still happy to see it again.  I'm more excited for my hubby, who's seeing my favorite theme park for the first time.

the huge aquarium as a backdrop

luv these balloons.. ooops, looks like the balloon guy is a panda ^0^

I already featured this park in my 2012 visit.  I'll just post some highlights of this year's trip.  Hubby enjoyed the cable car, too.

looks Chinese, he's 1/4 Chinese actually

ready for the cable cars

he's really afraid of heights so he's nervous here

Just like before, we didn't ride any extreme rides but had tried the sky tower.  The view from the above is stunning especially the sea and mountains.

the sky tower

I can't miss featuring the Dolphin show as this is one of the main attractions here.  We have waited for two hours to get the best seats.

After this show, we have visited some aquariums - jelly fishes, sharks, etc.  It's really water creatures overload.  But, my most favorite are the gold fishes.  They are still very appealing to me, on how graceful they move.

the otter

We almost miss the long escalator...

sooooo long....

Hubby can't forego of his play time... for only HKD 5.00

go for the win tart!

the kid is happy!

Last stop for us, are the pandas.  Our visit here won't be complete without seeing these rare creatures.

the red panda, actually a fox

the not so cooperative panda bear

Peak Tram and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

From Admiralty Station, embark in Central Station and walk for long to reach the Peak Tram.  Just follow the crowd and you won't be lost.

Even if we are dead tired already, I have to include this on our first day since we don't have anymore available schedule for this.  We are both first timers here so I'm excited to see the wax figures.  Here's a peek...

Peak Tram tracks

I love Bruce Lee's sneakers

I'm asungot here

their number 1 fan



puedeng maging drummer

 Then, it's time to see the night scene...  It's really cold up there.

Day 2, Jan. 12, 2015, Ngong Ping 360 Village and City Gate shopping
From TST Station, embark in Lai King, then transfer train going to Tung Chung
From Tung Chung, walk to the Ngong Ping cable car station.  Just ask directions upon exiting the MTR station

Unfortunately, it's raining hard that day so we were not able to roam a lot and reach the giant Buddha statue.

almost no visibility



the giant Buddha from afar



We just had a Japanese lunch then proceeded to City Gate for shopping before going back to the guest house.

Last Day, Jan. 13, 2015, TST Shopping

We woke up early to arrange our luggage.  We then checked-out and left our luggage in the guest house. 

Since our flight is still in the evening, we have lots of time to roam around and do our last minute shopping. 

I would want to take Hubby to the Avenue of the Stars but it's raining hard that time so we decided to just to check out the stores nearby.

Hubby was able to buy some vinyl again while I bought my souvenirs.  We also bought some electronics accessories which we find really affordable.

Then off we went to airport via bus A21.  I just returned the octopus cards and reimburse the excess money.

It was a great experience for us since this is the first time that we travel only the two of us.  It's our first honeymoon, actually... hehehehe

Total cost of this trip is around Php50,000.00 for both Macau and HK trips.  We somehow save a few bucks since our accommodation and some meals in Macau were shouldered by cousin M.  I can never thank them enough not only for the accommodation and meals,  but also for the time well spent with us.

Till my next visit HK.... it will be with the kids this time and more shopping...