For my first travel-related entry, I’ll be sharing my trip to Hong Kong, which I took together with my family last April. ‘Twas definitely memorable because it was a series of “firsts” for us: first family trip abroad, my sisters and I’s first trip abroad, and Mik and Kai’s first time to ride a plane.
Tickets
To grab discounted seats, make sure to register to the mailing list of different airlines. This way, they’d be able to send you notifications of upcoming seat sales. We booked the tickets in December, so we were able to avail of the 75% off base fare via Cebu Pacific. Each person’s ticket cost Php3630.25, so Php21k++ in total. A tad bit hefty price compared to my HongKong tickets for October 2013, which I booked last October 2013. More on this later on.
Also, we booked the first flight for MLA to HKG and the last flight for HKG to MLA. This way, we’d be able to maximize our time there.
Lodging
For several months, I tried scouring for cheap places to stay. Helpful sites were Agoda and AirBNB. In choosing for a place to stay, consider the area you’ll be staying in, the availability of establishments, price (of course!), and reviews of other travelers. I read up loads of websites about Hong Kong, and my family and I decided to stay at the Tsim Sha Tsui area.
Moving on, I was able to come across Cosmic Guesthouse, one of the hostels in the Mirador Mansion in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. I sent them an e-mail, and after a few hours, they replied. I’d recommend staying in Cosmic Guesthouse because they’re easy to talk to, plus the rooms are quite cheap. The receptionist, Jeremy, agreed that we pay the whole amount when we get there. It saved me the hassle of using PayPal to deposit the down payment.
We stayed in the largest room available, a “suite” that could fit 6 people. It cost us HK$645/night (around Php3000+/night) or HK$2580 for 4 nights. The room had a double bed, a double-deck, and two single beds. Overall, the room was pretty decent. The shower area (which fits only one person) is clean and the heater was functioning. The room also had air-conditioning. Water is also available 24/7, which is a good thing.
Itinerary
So, to the fun part now: the itinerary! My sisters and I were quite ecstatic since it’s spring time in Hong Kong during our stay. We loaded up on tights, leggings, cardigans, and other clothing that is neither too warm nor too cold. Basically, for the trip, we wanted to experience the must-see sights of Hong Kong.
Here’s the DETAILED itinerary I made for the trip, which we weren’t able to strictly follow anyway:
- Day 1
- 0240 → check in at airport
- 0540 → MLA to HK
- 0740 → HK
- 0900 → Walk to Airport Bus Terminus
- Ride A21 bus towards Hung Hom Station (1 hr & 10 mins, 12 stops)
- Carnarvon Road, TSIM SHA TSUI
- 1030 → Arrive at COSMIC GUEST HOUSE
- 12/F Block F1 (Reception), Mirador Mansion, 54-64 Nathan Road, TST
- TSIM SHA TSUI
- MONG KOK
- Day 2
- 0900 → Go to Ocean Park
- Walk to TST Station (1 min, 37m; take entrance TST Station Exit D1)
- TSUEN WAN LINE → Subway towards Central; 1 stop
- Admiralty Station → Walk to Admiralty West Bus Terminus; Exit B
- Service runs every 15 mins; 9:24 - 9:49 am
- 629 Bus towards Ocean Park Main Entrance (25 mins, 1 stop)
- Travel time: about 49 mins
- 1000 → Ocean Park
- 1800 → Go back to Tsim Sha Tsui
- 0900 → Go to Ocean Park
- Day 3
- 0830 → Go to Hong Kong Island (Causeway)
- TSUEN WAN LINE → Subway towards Central (4 mins, 1 stop)
- Walk to Admiralty Station
- ISLAND LINE → Subway towards Chai Wan (5 mins, 2 stops)
- CAUSEWAY BAY STATION
- CAUSEWAY
- 1430 → Leave for Central
- Causeway Bay Station
- ISLAND LINE → Subway towards Central Station
- CENTRAL STATION
- Exit J2; from Bank of China, follow Garden Road uphill to the terminus
- Walk to Victoria Peak
- 1500 → CENTRAL
- 1700 → Leave for IFC Mall
- 1915 → Board Star Ferry for Lights Show from Central → HKD170
- 1930 → Go to Avenue of Stars
- Walk to Central Station
- TSUEN WAN LINE → Subway towards Tsuen Wan (6 mins, 2 stops)
- Tsim Sha Tsui Station → Walk to Avenue of Stars
- 2000 → Avenue of Stars (Light show!)
- 2100 → Go to Temple Street Night Market
- TSUEN WAN LINE → Subway towards Tsuen Wan (1 min, 1 stop)
- Jordan Station → Exit A. Turn right onto Jordan Road. Take another right onto Temple Street.
- Day 4
- 0900 → Go to Hong Kong Disneyland
- Walk to Tsim Sha Tsui Station
- TSUEN WAN LINE →Subway towards Tsuen Wan (17 mins, 9 stops)
- Walk to Lai King Station
- TUNG CHUNG LINE → Subway towards Tung Chung (11 mins, 2 stops)
- Walk to SUNNY BAY STATION
- DISNEYLAND RESORT LINE → Subway towards Disneyland Resort (6 mins, 1 stop)
- Walk to Hong Kong Disneyland
- Travel time: about 59 mins
- 1000 → Hong Kong Disneyland
- 2000 → Go back to Tsim Sha Tsui
- 2100 → TSIM SHA TSUI
- 0900 → Go to Hong Kong Disneyland
- Day 5
- 1100 →Leave Tsim Sha Tsui
- TSUEN WAN LINE → Subway towards Tsuen Wan (17mins, 9 stops)
- Walk to Lai King Station
- TUNG CHUNG LINE → Subway towards Tung Chung (21 mins, 3 stops)
- Walk to Citygate Outlets
- DEPOSIT BAGGAGE
- Walk to Ngong Ping Cable Car Tung Chung Station
- Cable car
- Walk to Ngong Ping 360
- 1300 → Ngong Ping Village → 1hr
- Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery → 1hr
- Wisdom Path → 30 mins [3PM]
- 1500 → Go to Citygate Outlets
- Walk to Ngong Ping Cable Car Ngong Ping Station
- Cable Car towards Tung Chung (25 mins, 1 stop)
- Walk to Citygate Outlets
- 1600 → Citygate Oulets
- 1830 → Leave Citygate Outlets
- Walk to Tung Chung Bus Terminus
- Ride S1 bus (14 mins, 4 stops)
- Walk to HKIA
- 1855 → Check in at airport
- 2155 → HK to MLA
- 2355 → MLA
- 1100 →Leave Tsim Sha Tsui
That’s it! Those were the “basics” of my trip to Hong Kong last April 15 to 19, 2013. More stories to follow!
Love,
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