Hong Kong Days 2-5
Sunday: Night Tour
It was on the second day when I arrived at the Rambler Garden Hotel at 1 Tsing Yi Road, Tsing Yi. The travel agency Asian Links Holiday offered a Hong Kong by Night tour at $380 (about Php 2,280) which included the following:
- The Victoria Peak Tower to view the Pearl of Orient
- Madame Tussauds Wax Museum admission
- Sky Terrace with entrance ticket
- One way Peak Tram
- Transfer to the Ladies' Market
Among the joys of traveling is making new friends. During the tour, I met Ayi Araneta and we got along really well. Little by little, we loosened up with each funny pose at the Wax Museum. We also ran up to see the beautiful skyline and the tallest buildings in Hong Kong: the ICC and IFC. Later, I discovered her talent in haggling as we stayed at the Ladies' Market in Mong Kok until closing time (11:30 pm). She's amazing! I was tired but happy.
The dining places feature mostly Cantonese and Indian cuisines. We just had roasted duck and goose for dinner. Of course, don't forget the iced milk tea!
The tour guide mentioned that the cab fare back to Rambler Garden ranges from $80 to 90. A 25-minute trip, this is better than boarding the MTR and transferring to a bus.
Monday: City Tour and 3D Museum
Our tour guide, Cannis, is from Asian Links Holiday and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, like all other tour guides. This was our itinerary:
- Avenue of the Stars
- Aberdeen Fishing Village
- Pass by mid-levels of Victoria Peak
- Chocolate Empire (Gulliver Chocolatier)
- JW Jewellery
- 3D Museum
Cannis likened Tsim Sha Tsui to Makati where shops and hotels are located. She said that merchandise is expensive here because the rent is high. Stores usually open at 11 am. To visit the Aberdeen Fishing Village, we went through the 2-kilometer tunnel which was built in 1971 under the sea to Hong Kong island. We got off the bus to experience the sampan ride for $61.
Our last stop was at the 3D Museum. Since I roamed with new acquaintances, I took the chance of riding the double-decker bus back to Tsing Yi for $8.9.
Tuesday: My Disneyland Experience
Considering that the entrance ticket costs $500, the tour with Asian Links Holiday with 2-way transfer at $600 is reasonable (Ang hindi lang naman reasonable ay ang presyo ng pagkain sa loob. Halimbawa, ang mais ay nagkakahalaga ng 150 pesos sa Disneyland).
Pero kalimutan na ang mga presyo, dahil priceless naman ang experience. Halos nakangiti lang ako buong araw dahil sa sights and sounds dito. Paborito ko ang Mystic Manor, Space Mountain at Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars. At sa pagtatapos ng araw, sino bang hindi matutunaw sa fireworks?
Wednesday: Goodbye HK, I'll see you again!
Tawang-tawa ako dahil bus ang ginamit para sunduin ako sa hotel at ihatid sa airport. Umupo pa ko sa tour guide seat at muntik nang i-grab ang mic. Hehe! Pinigilan ko na lang dahil baka hindi ito kunsintihin ng driver na mabait pa naman. Habang nasa biyahe, iniisip ko nang babalik ako rito at sana kasama na ang pamilya.
