It was barely two months ago when my mom told me she and Papa talked about going to Hong Kong. I thought at first she was just joking since we had just come home from our Cebu-Bohol Trip (which I was not able to blog about here). So when I saw the Cebu Pacific seat sale announcement, I immediately sent her a text message to let her know about it. She said yes, and she instructed me to book for a round trip flight for her…and 10 more! That meant she, my papa, my sister Anne, me, Daddy Bong, Ate Kara, Jeremy, Cassie, my sister Iyoy, her husband and my niece Freya would all go. Yes, you heard it right, all eleven of us were going to HK.
I was able to find a flight that would accommodate all 11 of us, and it was on October 6′s first flight out of Manila to HK (at 5:40 am!) that we left for HK. It took 2 hours to reach the HK International Airport, and another hour or so for the immigration check, and to get our bags. After that, we bought Octopus cards to be used for our trips within HK, aboard buses, MTRs, and even Star Ferry!
Before 9am, we were on our way to Tsim Sha Tsui’s Taisan Guesthouse, which is managed by Ate Yolly, a very nice Filipina who has been working in HK for the past 21 years. Where we stayed, the MTR station was a few steps away, and outside the building was the bus stop. It was also very near shopping places, (found a Bossini outlet and sports house outlet within the vicinity), and other tourist spots like the museums and the Avenue of Stars/Star Ferry station.
Although Daddy Bong and I had a hard time taking care of two overly active kids who wanted to be carried when they got tired walking (In HK, you will do a looooooooot of walking, which I didn’t mind, actually, if not for carrying Cassie), I still wanna go back to HK. Soon, I hope.
Anyway, I am posting photos, actually, which is the very reason for this so I won’t bore you with the other details of the trip. I hope the photos would do justice to the fun we had during our 4-day, 3-night stay in HK. Oh, we went home on the morning of Sunday, October 9.
As promised, here are the photos…
Arriving in HKIA.
- Jeremy riding on the top floor of the double decker airport bus going to TST.
On our first night in HK, after a bit of rest, we went to the Victoria Harbour/Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront/clock Tower to watch A symphony of Lights, it’s a light and sound show participated in by about 40 buildings on both sides of the Harbour. It’s on every 8pm, and it’s really a sight to watch. Many tourists flock to the place.
- Biggie Me and Mini Me hamming it up for the camera in the Avenue of the Stars.
On day 2, we started it by going to Tung Chung to board the cable car that would take us to Ngong Ping. Ngong Ping 360 as it’s called, is a 5.7 km cable car ride which gives you panoramic views of the HK International Airport, the South China Sea, and the Tian Tian Buddha. I am not particularly fond of heights so it took time getting used to it. What was nice about the experience was the cool breeze as we traversed the whole thing. It was also amazing to see other cable cars making their way to Ngong Ping. The experience was nice, tho to me, it was a bit too long. Parang saken, 2km, ok na. I’m not fond of heights, remember?
- On the way to Tung Chung via the MTR. Nakatayo lang lagi si Ate Kara. pose naman nang pose.
- Jeremy and Cassie fascinated by the Citygate Musical fountain
- My sister Anne and Ate Kara aboard the cable car from Tung Chung going to Ngong Ping. If I know, takot na yang dalawang yan. LOL!
- Look, ma! cable car!
- Ngong Ping babies
- Mommy, Ate Kara and Freya in Ngong Ping, after the 5.7 km cable car ride
- Cutie Cassie
- copying the Tian Tian Buddha.
- Family photo op with the Tian Tian Buddha in the background
- Forgive a nanay’s point of view, but I am pretty proud of my daughter here. Ang ganda kaya niya. hihi!
- Hindi nagpatalo ang mga kulets
- Bubble Fun. There were bubble machines everywhere!
- Daddy Bong, anyare?
After Ngong Ping, we headed to Disneyland. It was pretty late already but since Disneyland closes at 11pm on weekends, we decided to proceed to Disneyland. As expected there were practically no more characters except for a few which had really long lines. But what was important was we had our photo op with Tinkerbelle who is the kids’ most fave character. To get to Disneyland from Tung Chung, we took the MTR to Sunny Bay, where we alighted for the connecting trip via MTR to Disneyland. You’d know you’re riding the Disneyland MTR because there were Disney characters everywhere inside it. It was also Haunted Halloween time so when the darkness sets in, the scary characters come out of hiding. We also witnessed the Glow-in-the-dark parade.
- Finally, Disneyland! Pasensya na po sa mga cute piglets, they have a wonderful sense of humour which includes pretending to sleep during important photo ops.
- Ang konti namin, no?
- The kids were elated to see Tinkerbelle and immediately asked if she isn’t flying soon. Yep, they really thought this Tinkerbelle flies.
- Guess who got scared!
- Daddy getting driving lessons from Jeremy
The following day, we brought the kids to the HK Science Museum which was a really smart move because they enjoyed themselves so much. The Museum is just a short walking distance from where we were staying in TST. The Museum is soooo big. The third floor houses the Children’s Gallery where the kids played with the bubble hoops, the slow bubble machine, and had fun at the kiddie play area.
- Day 3: Ate Kara and the slow bubble exhibit at the HK Science Museum
- Hindi nagpatalo si Mama and Cassie hihi!
- Cassie having fun with the big bubbles
- The little boy enjoying the play area with other kids
It was fun watching Jeremy and Cassie interacting with the other kids. One insight I got was that language was not a barrier for them. It didn’t matter that mine are Filipinos, and the others, Chinese, some Americans/caucasians. All it took were innocence and the ability to have pure fun. Some kids accidentally hit others but I noticed they didn’t mind. In fact, they even became instant friends, laughing and playing after being hit by the other. I wish it were the same for us, adults.
After the HK Science Museum, we went to the Victoria Peak. First, we boarded the Star Ferry at the Victoria Harbour on Tsim Sha Tsui, which took us to the Central Pier. From there, we rode the open top Bus 15C which took us to the lower terminus of The Peak Tram. There we rode the Peak Tram to the Peak Tower, then we went Madame Tussauds to see the wax figures on display.
- Jeremy and Daddy Bong riding the Star Ferry
- Riding the Peak Tram. Too bad, we don’t have a shot of the Tram. When we arrived, there were long lines to the ticket counter. Good thing we purchased ours at a discounted rate from Ate Yolly beforehand.
- With Brangelina at Madam Tussauds. Notice how my little girl embraced Angelina? Anak, I haven’t given you up for adoption, so please don’t think Angelina is your adoptive mom. LOL!
- Is that you, Bella?
- Einstein: weh?
- Now we know why Marilyn Monroe laughed so hard.
- First, a vampire, now, a pirate! Ate Kara’s choices are rather uhmmm…scary. LOL!
- Jeremy finding a new mommy? oh no.
- With Paul, John, Ringo and George
- Caddie Daddy
- Pablo Picasso and moi
- Michael Jackson when he still looked like Michael Jackson. RIP, MJ!
- Obama didn’t mind that I occupied his seat with Jeremy. LOL!
- Hello, Astrodaddy!
- People couldn’t take their eyes off Cassie who also couldn’t stop from dancing with Madonna. All throughout, the music was Lady Gaga’s Pokerface. Lady Gaga’s wax figure was just beside Madonna’s.
- Couldn’t resist this one-time opportunity to have my photo taken with The Gaga. LOL!
The following day, October 9, we took the first flight via Cebu Pac out of Hong Kong at 8:25 am. From the guesthouse, we took a van to the HKIA. We were just in time for our flight!
- Back in Manila. Wonder what’s going on in Cassie’s mind whose sleep was abruptly cut as we had to get out of the plane, retrieve our baggage, and go through immigration once again.
As I have said, the trip to HK was too short, but it was still enjoyable. Since Daddy Bong and I weren’t able to really really enjoy it, we’re hoping to go back soon, without the kids this time. We need a break, after all. When it would be, let’s just wait and see.
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Thanks to the thread Hong Kong for Dummies found in the Pinoy Exchange Forum, arranging our trip to HK was a breeze. Read everything to get acquainted with HK. The people who made that thread are geniuses, and much of the credit for arranging our itinerary goes to them. Maraming salamat po sa inyo!
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