Winter Hong Kong with Children - Good Bye!

And some comments about the hotel we stayed for 5 nights, L'Hotel Nina Et Convention Center (如心海景酒店). Location wise, it's near Tsuen Wan West (荃弯西) MTR station. However you know Tsuen Wan West is totally out of the way and we have to change MTR lines several times to reach the Central areas. Luckily, there are several shopping malls near the hotel so looking for food near it is no problem. The hotel room is spacious and the bed is big, so that's the good part. There's a good size bathroom too.

L'Hotel Nina Et Convention Center

L'Hotel Nina Et Convention Center - room

Now the not-so-good part. There's no central heating for such a new and modern hotel! I mean, it's fine for people who come from freezing continents, but me from tropics practically feel the draught every single night here. Even though we switched off the air-conditioning (geez, who needs air-conditioning at 10 degree C?), cold air still creeps in probably from under the door. Then the bathroom. See from the picture? It's see-through, it's glass! Even though there's a shower curtain covering it. Now who wants to parade themselves while they are showering/bathing? Only the children sometimes enjoy parading and scribbling words on the glass pane. And the bathtub, OMG, it's so high! I couldn't very well step over it with my bump, 爸爸 have to help me every time and it's made difficult being so high. The children had difficulty stepping into the bathtub too, they had to be extra careful, lucky they didn't slip or fall. So in conclusion, you have to be extra careful if you have young children. If you have mobility problem or if you have a bump (like me) you might want to skip this hotel or ask them ahead if they have a more user-friendly room (we didn't ask as not in the mood to deal with hotel staff). There are no toilets on the ground floor/lobby so you have to go up to your room even if you are urgently in need to find a toilet. The lobby lifts are sometimes very congested as there are swarms of Chinese visitors staying here. We see loads and loads of luggages in the lobby every single day. So if you had to wait for the lift and you urgently need the restroom, hehe.... can imagine how it is? The Chinese visitors are also kind of strange here. We got knocks at least 3x throughout our stay - to borrow phone as their room key didn't work (we asked them go to lobby la, people halfway undressing in the room where got let you in like that??!), another time to ask for help to open the room door for them (apa la, all hotel rooms are the same isn't it, this is not a fancy one). I don't know if they are honestly lost or trying to trick us. Good luck for your stay :D

For our last day, it's just travelling time back home. We left hotel for the airport very early at around 6am. Not in the mood for greasy breakfast so it's really hard on my tummy. McDonald's queue is long like ever, in the end had to settle for a ham sandwich.

Departure Hall at Hong Kong airport

At the waiting area while waiting for our plane, the children get to watch cartoon at the children play area. With kids travelling together, we get priority to board. As 爸爸 checked in online earlier, the plane was changed and somehow the seats assigned to us are one person at the aisle and one at window. We had to ask the other passenger to change seat with us and luckily they are agreeable.

As usual, kids enjoy their in-flight kids meal, and with their new seals

Star Ferry, The Peak, Bauhinia Square and Hong Kong Tramways (Ting-ting tram) - Winter Hong Kong with Children Day 7

Last day at Hong Kong! Another walk-till-you-drop day :p

Avenue of Stars at daytime

We stopped by Avenue of Stars again as we wanted to see the Clock Tower. We passed by Hong Kong Film Award statue again for daytime pic :p

Clock Tower

Clock Tower and Hong Kong skyline

As today is Christmas holiday, there are many people already sitting near the clock tower, like they are having a picnic.

Star Ferry

Star Ferry

Central Pier

We're actually right at Star Ferry Pier, so we decided to take Star Ferry instead of using MTR to go to The Peak. Star Ferry is very much like our Penang ferry :) we paid our fares using Octopus card so its very convenient.

The problem of finding our way starts after disembarking from Star Ferry. We deviated from our original plan, so we were kind of lost. In fact, really really lost. We stopped at one of the IFC building for toilet stop. Apala, such a posh and big place but so difficult to find toilet, maybe they just don't like the public to use. There's a Switch shop and packed full of people, there isn't a new launch at this time. We asked the guard for directions and he told us to follow the pedestrian bridge outside.

And off we go, more walking. No really clear sign until a long way away and 爸爸 asked for directions again. A distance away, finally we saw MTR and there's more signs to follow to 'The Peak' until we are lost again, in the middle of narrow streets and what looked like financial hub, cause every building seems to house a bank. Gosh, the road signs are really small compared to ours local ones, Hong Kong people must all have super good eyesight to see the words. And folks are starting to occupy the streets like they're going to have a street party, they look like Filipino workers. We stopped a policeman to ask for directions, so off we go again. I mean, i don't mind walking so much if I know where we are, but ambling around kind of gets on my nerves :p And some of the roads are at a slope too, I'm getting tired by now. Luckily the children are really good, they didn't complain and they were just taking in all the sights. The cool weather probably helped to keep their cool. It would've been useful to have this map, but we can't complain too much since we didn't plan on taking Star Ferry.

Map - To The Peak

Ok, to cut the story short, after walking for ages, passing Citibank, HSBC and Bank of China buildings, finally we reached the road leading to The Peak Tram Lower Terminus (中环花园道山顶缆车终站). Oh gosh, this road called Garden Road is steep, and I huffed and puffed all the way,with the children laughing at me (hallo, try walking with a bump then you'd know what I mean). There's a church called St Johns Cathedral across the road which looked quite nice. Long queue to go at the station, but still orderly queue for now. We got return tickets for HK$75 per adult, and HK$36 per child. This ticket includes visiting the Sky Terrace 428. They have staff trying to get visitors to take photo too, I'm so tired of this gimmick at every place we go that I tell the guy "no photos!"

At the Peak Tram Lower Terminus

Once inside the station, there's a gallery showing quite interesting stuff like the old tram engines, old peak tram carriage etc. Visitors are hurdled like a bunch of chickens, moving from one coop to the next ;p  Finally board the Peak Tram at long last. The view is nice but since we're not sitting together, couldn't take much photos.

Inside The Peak Tram

As soon as we reached The Peak, we looked for Burger King! Very hungry after all the walking and waiting. It's crowded too, probably due to public holiday. No sooner had we found a table,and halfway through, another family were already hovering around us waiting for our table. No peace even in eating fastfood :( And my feet, only got to rest for such a short time.

Looking for toilet at The Peak is another chore, its very limited and long queue, on certain floors of The Peak Tower only!

Sky Terrace at The Peak

Next we went for Sky Terrace 428. It's the highest point at The Peak. Basically just view of Hong Kong. I've no idea where what is, there's a explanation plaque but too many people hanging around the areas taking photos.

Around The Peak Tower

Road sign - Peak Road

This is at Lion Pavilion

Later it's walking around the grounds at The Peak. While 爸爸 bring the children around for photos, I sat on an outdoor staircase, together with a big group of Chinese tourists :p

Pacific Coffee at The Peak with view

We had some drinks at Pacific Coffee. The babycino is really tiny, we had to order another full size for the children.

Queue for The Peak Tram to go back to the city 

The Peak Tram approaching! And inside the Peak Tram  - backwards going downhill :)

Left: There's still a long queue for tickets going up The Peak.
Right: St John's Cathedral opposite The Peak Lower Terminus.

On the way down, we just realized the Peak Tram just moved backwards! It's really scary, facing the hills with our backs to the slope. I'm really glad our Penang Hill tram doesn't torture visitors like this. But perhaps some people find it amusing? At least the children kind of enjoyed it, to them anything remotely resemble a roller-coaster which they can get on is good.

A monument in field near MTR station

It's walking all the way back to MTR station now, and much more 'campers' along the MTR walkway now. We took MTR to Wan Chai for our next destination, the Golden Bauhinia Square.

Golden Bauhinia Square

Wan Chai

My, my, more walking from the Wan Chai MTR station. Golden Bauhinia Square (金紫荊廣場) is like miles away from the Wan Chai MTR station as I was so tired of practically all-day walking with a bump. The directions from the MTR station is not clear, and have to pass through a big building. So we keep stopping to ask. Finally reached and I sent the children to take photo with 爸爸. They didn't have very good experience there, as there was a person manning paid-photo stall asking them to go away. What? It's your problem to solicit for business but you cannot turn away visitors from public place! So we just snap a couple of photos and out of there.

Then it's walking all the way back to Wan Chai MTR station. On the way, we stopped at a random 茶餐厅 for quick dinner. Again the yin yong and 奶茶 is super good! Food is so-so. After dinner, we stopped for 咖哩鱼旦 curry fishball at a random stall. Hm, taste is much worse compared to the ones we had at N
gong Ping, the size of the fishball is much smaller too :P We actually saw many people buy from roadside stalls to have the food near the Golden Bauhinia Square promenade.

Hong Kong Tramways

From near the Wan Chai MTR station, we took one of the Hong Kong Tramways (also known as ting-ting tram or 电车). Every single journey is HK$2.30 per adult, HK$1.20 per child. We paid using Octopus card again. However the first tram we were on was too crowded, I almost suffocated and there's no place to even trying to stand (we were standing on the stairs, so dangerous, for Pete's sake!) We squeezed our way through to exit (there goes HK$2.30). Then board another more empty tram. This time, we enjoyed it! Although we didn't know where the tram will go hehe. At one point, because it's so empty, the tram swerved quite a bit as it was moving quite fast. I think we took it to Happy Valley then to Kennedy Town, and our stop is Pedder Street which is near MTR. We then took short walk to MTR station to go back to the hotel.

Ngong Ping and Avenue of Stars - Winter Hong Kong with Children Day 6

One of the most enjoyable activities in Hong Kong! We went to Ngong Ping 360 (昂坪). We took MTR until Tung Chung (东涌) MTR station. Wow, it's a long way, past bridge and over to Lantau Island (大屿山), last station after Disney station. The cable car station is a short walk (with clear signs from MTR exit).

Before Ngong Ping ticket station and waiting for cable car

In the morning, before bertolak, we had breakfast at Pacific Coffee near the hotel. We're just tired of eating in the hotel room, as we didn't have breakfast included in hotel rate. See photo below, somehow, 姐姐's hair is tame and manageable even after washing in the HK weather. However mine became terribly frizzy after washing. My poor hair, totally not manageable thus have to be tied up all the time.

Breakfast near hotel at Pacific Coffee

Ok now back to the cable car ride. 爸爸 bought round trip tickets for the Crystal Cabin, costs total HK$790 for 2 adults and 2 kids (from their website, it's HK$235 per adult, and HK$160 per child). Thank goodness we had the Crystal Cabin tickets, as the queue for standard cabin is really long. The standard cabin is of course cheaper and I think most tour groups take that. The children get cartoon stickers of the mascot, so they are planning to ask for more when they reach Ngong Ping.

Inside Crystal Cabin cable car to Ngong Ping - stepping on glass :P

You can see from my expression, I'm not a fan of heights. But to satisfy the children's wishes to go on the Crystal Cabin, I still go on the ride. It's not too bad, it's still a leisurely ride. But seeing the streets from the station, and the sea after that is a little unnerving. Not for the children though, they think it's super fantastic and fun.

Once the Crystal Cabin cable car reaches Lantau Island grounds, we saw a hiking trail. There are a few people hiking and resting, but it's really hilly so we don't know how far they will go.

Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal

Immediately after the Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal, it's Ngong Ping Village. Not really a village but landscaped buildings selling souvenirs, food, drinks etc.

Ngong Ping Village

Bodhi Tree at Bodhi Wishing Shrine. Have to purchase a tag (from souvenir shop) to write your wishes to hang on the wishing shrine. Kids are more interested in the bear deco. 

Glimpse of Big Buddha from Ngong Ping Village

Outside a souvenir shop

Beside the same souvenir shop and International Cable Car Gallery

We stopped for some snacks at a stall after this, we had 山水豆腐花 (no photo though). The white 豆腐花is smooth and nice, but we're just not used to the ginger syrup instead of our local dark syrup version. I'd prefer it if they had it in dark syrup version :)

Loved the blue sky! And that's the stalls selling 山水豆腐花

Ngong Ping Piazza with view of Big Buddha

Stopped for more snacks of 咖哩鱼旦 curry fishballs and some fried stuff. 爸爸 spoke in Cantonese with the stall-keeper (although his Cantonese memang off-accent and teruk but still able to communicate) and she charged him HK$15 per stick for the snacks. Another Mainland Chinese tourist spoke in Mandarin and the price she ask for is HK$20 per stick. Hehe, so there are local price and tourist price :) These snacks are good according to 爸爸 and the children. Compared to the ones 爸爸 had at Mongkok street side, he said this one is larger and taste so much better. Both the children liked it too. While we're eating, we saw a dog walking around the area and wondered how did he get up the hill? Did he take the cable car as well, hehehe.

Having snack of curry fishball at Ngong Ping Piazza :P

The Po Lin Monastery Main Hall is under major renovations, so most sections are closed to public. We just prayed (outside the temple) towards direction of the Big Buddha with hands. Didn't take photo from here as it is prayer area.

That's the garden where I waited for them to climb 268 steps to get close to Big Buddha

The children and 爸爸 went to explore the Big Buddha which is a 268-steps climb. Me, resting my feet at the garden and waited for them :) It was so peaceful, quiet and cool there.

Going up the steps to see Big Buddha

Finally near the top

Around the base at Big Buddha

View looking down from Big Buddha

After they came down, they rested a while at the garden with us, then it's looking for lunch. Since we're at the Monastery and Big Buddha area, of course lunch is vegetarian food there. The sit-down place don't allow us to order for 2 adults to share among ourselves (the children hardly eat much vegetarian fare). So we went to the snack kiosk beside it. They sell variety of Chinese kuih-muih, fried bee hoon etc. It was good too, maybe we were quite hungry as well? Since the children ate up most of the fried vegetarian bee hoon, we had to order seconds. The fried bee hoon goes quite well with the vegetarian curry chicken pieces. Prices are quite reasonable too. See we sit among flowers for our lunch :)

Around Po Lin Monastery (couldn't take much photos due to renovation works) and our lunch there

Another view of Po Lin Monastery, loved the blue sky!

Actually while trying to get around, we walked the wrong way right smack in the middle of construction area. They didn't actually fence it up and we just kind of followed people who were walking around. Some pieces of small rocks fell in front of us and that's it, we are out of there :P

The children had fun doing some craft that is available (complementary!).

The children trying out DIY good luck charm and hand-twisted balloons

As we're about to leave, we saw the Koala mascot and had to wait for his break before get the opportunity to take photo.

Children lazing around waiting for Koala March

Koala March by Lotte

Poor Koala March have to jump from Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal until this area, difficult for him to move around as he's so bloated :P

Then it's time to go back to the city. Again Crystal Cabin queue is much more bearable than standard cabin. The gimmick at tourist attraction nowadays seems to be take your family photo then try to sell you all sorts of trinklets at the souvenir shop. Same thing here, as in Disneyland and Ocean Park. So tired of them taking our photos which they plaster all over the souvenirs which we didn't purchase.

We loved Ngong Ping for its fresh cool air (compared to city area) and the interesting activities here. There are more diversity of visitors too, not only Chinese tour groups (there still are, but much less than Disneyland or Ocean Park, they're everywhere there).

It's nearly 5pm by the time we depart from Ngong Ping, so we head straight for our next destination, Avenue of Stars. This is smack in the middle of the city, so we took MTR to East Tsim Sha Tsui station. We thought there'd be lots of food outlets on the way, but not really after we exit from the MTR. So we ended up having early dinner at Sogo and the food we ordered is not good at all. It's difficult to find a place to sit at the Sogo food court (not sure if it's really food court, or Japanese food court or whatever).

By the time we finish dinner it's about 6pm, so we went to Exit J of East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station for Avenue of Stars. Sky is dark by now, and it's cold.

First shot after arriving, of the Hong Kong Film Awards sculpture. So difficult to take photo with swarms of visitors. Later we just realized it's Christmas Eve, that's why probably such a big crowd there. For some unknown reason, everything including sculpture, seats etc is barricaded.

Very bad photos of Hong Kong Film Award sculpture due to over-crowdedness 

Walking around trying to find the sculptures at Avenue of Stars. Someone that 爸爸 asked pointed us to Holland (means going nowhere). At one point along the way, it is a very narrow space and people are pushing back-to-back. We had to fight the crowd to move back to where the sculptures are after asking one of the many Hong Kong policemen on duty. They are friendly and nice, and look very smart in their winter uniforms.

With Chinese junk boats in the background

Hong Kong city night view 

Another night view of Hong Kong

After squeezing through back to where we started, we started seeing name plates of Hong Kong stars with their hand prints and signature on the ground. Then we also reached the other sculptures along Avenue of Stars.

Film-making sculptures and McDull (麥兜) sculpture

Bruce Lee sculpture, more film-making sculptures and Jackie Chan print

After that, we make our way back to near Hong Kong Museum of Art, where there some steps at least to sit on. Feet are really sore and aching walking back-and-forth along Avenue of Stars. To make the situation worse, why did they barricade up the seats along the promenade? Sigh.... And only one measly toilet near where we entered.

Then we waited for Symphony of Lights that goes on at 8pm. We sat at the area near Hong Kong Museum of Art. No toilet available here even though we saw mobile toilets, but they are not operational or not open to public yet. Luckily the children didn't ask to go to toilet. It's not like we can have them pee anywhere here in the open :P

Waiting for Symphony of Lights at Hong Kong Museum of Art. Dimsum supper near hotel again. 

A Symphony of Lights show is totally not up to our expectation of a light show. It's just the buildings which are lighted up along are having moving lights, and some green laser lights beam here and there from the top of some random buildings. I think we watch too much HK drama and those fancy ones were reserved for special days (or maybe this is a cost-down version?). The children said the fireworks and light show at Disneyland is nicer, even the one at Ocean Park is better. Of course, those are paid as part of the entrance tickets.

After a disappointing light show (and waiting 2 hours for it), we moved with the crowd back to the MTR station. To our surprise, the street is off limits to even pedestrians. After moving with the ridiculously suffocating crowd, we find they closed off exit J of Tsim Sha Tsui station. What??!!! How do you expect us to balik then? No signs, nothing to show you where to go. The few policemen who are manning the MTR exit just tell us to move ahead with the crowd. Apala..... You'd think this would be the norm in third-world countries but apparently in big city like Hong Kong it's still the same. There are people pushing their way on the opposite side as well as there is no sign and no one there to tell them the MTR station exit J is closed. After going around with the crowd, finally there are some policemen, and we asked them for directions since we are totally lost. They say just go straight to look for the MTR station. It's stopping and asking another 2 more groups of policemen along the way before we finally made it to one of the MTR station exit/entrance. Phew! Hey we are tourists, how do you expect us to watch news or read news? There are no warnings at the MTR station when we go out at 6pm that it will be closed.

Finally we made it to one of the toilets at the MTR (long long queue). And later back to hotel for late-night supper. Never ever ask me to go to Avenue of Stars :P