Ah... Finally, after much anticipation and waiting, we visited Disneyland in Hong Kong :)
It was a five-day trip to the former British colony. We didn't know what to expect. But we were anxious and excited, weeks before the big day!
DAY ONE
Departed to Hong Kong from KLIA, China Airlines at 8.30 am. Tsang Wai Kuen (TVB actor) was on the same plane as us! My friends stooped my from asking for his autograph and picture... AW! S*cks... Now they regret it :P Bleh...
Breakfast on plane.
Small plane, not much leg room for my rheumatic legs.
But it only took us 3 1/2 hours, so no complaints here, except for the toilet which was over-flowing and we had to "hold on" till we arrived. Thank God we managed to relieve ourselves before the announcement was made. Been told that China Airlines was not amongst the best in the aviation industry but it never crossed my mind that they never had the common-sense to empty the sewerage system before take off!
Arrived in HK at exactly 12 noon.
Didn't experience any pain in my ears during landing (I always have this problem with MAS during landing). Praise the Lord for alleviating my discomfort :)
The agent was waiting there for us and we’re taken to the bus stand to wait for our transport to the hotel.
Ahh.. nice cooling weather!
After unpacking and refreshing (not to mention, relieving) ourselves, we went to a nearby coffee-shop for wantan noodles. Tasted rather bland. But the wantans were almost twice the size of our Malaysian sui-kow! Lotsa prawn! Yuck… I had to dissect the prawns from the pork and wantan skin :P
Y.A. brought us around town - see goldfish, Fah Yuen Street, take the MTR to Central (Chung Wan) and the tram to the Peak. Was quite misty though, so we couldn’t see much of Hong Kong’s night view.
Had pork burger at McDonalds :P
Quite cold up the peak.
Souvenirs were reasonably priced.
Took a bus to the harbour and a ferry back to Kowloon, where we walked along the harbour and Avenue of Stars.
The cold wind blew straight through our thin jackets!
Lots of photos and chattering (from the cold).
Then, we took the MTR back to the hotel to retire for the night.
EXHAUSTED!
Wow! We took so many different modes of transport – plane, tour bus, MTR, tram, bus, ferry and jalan kaki :P
DAY TWO
Dim-sum breakfast arranged by the agent. Then, to Jackie Chan’s jewellery shop and to some medicine hall and jade outlet. Bought a dragon pendant for HKD 280. Then, it was makan time again. Lunch was yummy! Nice food!
Guide was a nice chatty fella.
1/2 day city tour – mid-level of the Peak, Aberdeen fishing village and Jumbo restaurant ( for pictures lah…) and Repulse Bay. Nice boat lady at Aberdeen. She speaks loudly and clearly.
Ocean Park was next on the itinerary. We only had 3 1/2 hours to scale that huge place! Everything was rushed. PANDA! I saw 2 pandas! Alive and Kicking! My dream of seing real pandas has finally come true! How adorable! Could I hug them, please? PLEASE?
Sharks! My camera’s battery went dead! In the panda house! So was G.M.’s camera. Luckily, Y.A. lent us his camera for the snapshots! THANKS
Souvenir shop. Expensive. Bought a name card holder as a souvenir for Anakin.
Nice cashier there. Friendly aunty
Pictures taken hastily, everything seemed to just flash by. Rested at the kiddies’ section for a while. Sweating, man!
Visited the dolphins ( no dolphin show, pool was under renovation)
Could I hug them too? Please?
Saw a gigantic sea lion with a huge roar on our way out! ~ROAR~
All of us swarmed towards the cable car in a mad rush to get to the other side of the park.
Rushed through the underwater world. No time for sharks.
Started drizzling. Walked all the way down to the waiting destination. Missed out on the Chinese section and all the rides. AW! What a waste!
A decade ago, I could still manage to try out a couple of rides there. But this time round… I say…
The guide adviced us to get extra jackets cause the North wind will be blowing towards Hong Kong and temperatures will drop to 11 degrees (in town) tomorrow, probably will be down to 9 or 8 in Disneyland.
Dropped us off at Mong Kok. It was drizzling. Temperature was plummeting. Had dinner – roasted goose, pork and BBQ pork and steamed egg for dessert. Yummy!
The wind that was blowing seemed to chill us to the bones.
Went to a factory outlet shop to get our jackets. It was really a bargain! Less than HKD 50! That would mean, less than RM 25!
Got gloves too, from a baby shop! Haha! We could even fit into the gloves there!
Hmmm.. The shops close pretty late here!
S.Y and Y.A decided to go back to the hotel as it’s been a long day for Mi Shan. The rest of us decided to walk on. Bought umbrellas (to prepare for the expected showers tomorrow), mineral water and some preserved fruits before taking the MTR back to the hotel.
Ah.. transportation is so convenient in HK!
Nice, friendly policemen too!
DAY THREE
Breakfast at nearby coffee-shop. Cheung-fun, yau-char-kwei and porridge, washed down with soy milk.Yau-char-kwei was twice the size of what could be bought in KL.
Reasonably priced too!
DISNEYLAND, here we come!
Some a**-h*les were late and caused us to be delayed. Sh*t them…
Upon alighting from the bus, we were greeted by super cold winds! Hualamak… Even the extra jacket on top of my cardigan, on top of my t-shirt, on top of my camisole, on top of my br*… could not keep me warm! Holy Macaroni! Super cold, man!
Wei! The manholes also had Mickey’s logo lah…
Picture time!
Went passed the entrance and VOILA!
We’re transported into a world of fantasy and imagination!
I’m a child again! Marveling at the wonders of Disneyland!
Taking in every sights and sounds and smell.
I’ve been dreaming all along to go to Disneyland as a child, and it’s finally been realized now!
Click! Click! Photos…
Nice washrooms :P
Photo with Tarzan’s monkey friend.
Huddled up while waiting for the short performance of “Festival of the Lion King”.
Hmm… no one queued up, especially those Mainlanders! There were pushing and shoving. It’s worse than going up a mini bus in KL (back then in the 90s).
I was overwhelmed with emotion while we’re in the hall. I can’t believe I’m finally here! Ah… A sentimental fool, am I! Wiped away tears. I can’t tell you exactly what I felt. It was a mixture of emotions that clogged up my nostrils and moisten my eyes. Next was more pix and boat ride around Tarzan’s place.
Cool…
3D show- Philharmickey.
Lunch was so-so, but the price was… WHOA…Expected at a place like this.
Took pix of lunch set and jellies and plastic cup for remembrance.
Just like a frog out of a well :P
Then, it was time to shop for souvenirs while the kids had a ride on Jumbo.
Magnets! Magnets! Playing cards! Magnets!
Time for parade along US Main Street. Nice and smiley performers
Pretty floats.
Three guys banging dustbins, performing their garbage item. Good choreography and co-ordination! APPLAUSE!
Time for a rest. Mi Shan needs a nap. So, I syiok sendiri on the space adventure ride, sitting with a stranger, yelling myself hoarse for the sake of yelling just to syiok sendiri :P
Pix with Buzz Lightyear!
It was drizzling now! We found Cinderella and the mice, and Snow White.
Queued up for pix with cuddly POOH! I love POOH!
Donald was next! I LOVE DONALD!
Minnie, Chip and Dale, Mickey…
Mad rush to watch Golden Mickeys. Pushing and shoving again… Mainlanders!!!
Could see all my favourite characters on stage – Donald, Lilo & Stitch, Ariel, Belle and the Beast… But, where’s Pooh?
Nightfall arrived early.
We’re all cold, hungry and tired. Could hardly drag our feet along.
Getting too cold for us.
Had some food at coffee shop – MICKEY WAFFLE
Then, mad rush for the fireworks at 8pm at Sleeping Beauty’s castle. What a sight to behold! Click! Click! Went my camera. Too bad, it was raining! And super cold too! Thank God for the Pink Panther brolly we bought from Watson’s the night before.
Then, rushed back to meet up with friends (who watched the fireworks from the coffee-shop). Souvenir shop again – t-shirt for myself (HKD 110! Mahal!)
Mad rush to the bus station cause our bus was supposed to wait for us there, managed to take a few snapshots on our way out.
We’re supposed to take the bus at Lane 10 at 8.45pm.
But it wasn’t there! Oh, no! It was supposed to wait for us! It’s not even 8.45 yet!
Damn! Where is it? We searched frantically. Y.A. called the agent!
D*mn it! The bus was at another lane, they even changed the bus and the guide! Stupid people! Leaving us waiting in the cold rain! Why don’t they adhere to the earlier arrangement? The poor kids were really cold!
Water seeped into my shoes. Eek…
Returned to hotel to refresh ourselves and to dry my shoes with hair-dryer.
S.Y. didn’t join us for dinner cause Mi Shan needed to rest. Y.A. took us around for dinner and for a bit of sight-seeing. Hong Kong-style rice and tea.
DAY FOUR
The guide brought us to the train station and briefed us on the procedures before we took a train to the border. S.Y, Y.A. and Mi Shan didn’t join us. They had to visit Y.A’s cousin and it’s not a good idea to bring a toddler to Shenzhen.
Train ride was efficient and fast.
We noticed that most public transport in Hong Kong is equipped with TV. Cool!
Took us 45 minutes to reach the border.
Had our passports stamped.
Crossed the border (river) and we’re in the Mainland.
Guide was waiting for us. Mr. Lai’s his name.
The custom officers there quite serious-looking and unfriendly. Hmmph!
Walked to the van.
We’re taken to the mineral museum where we were shown jade, crystal, etc.
Nothing caught my eye.
Sh*t! The pendant I bought at Jackie Chan’s jewellery shop in HK was selling for RMB 250 here, and if we’re to buy 5, it’d only cost us RMB 200 each! We’re fleeced by the HK outlet! So, that left me with no mood to buy anything else.
Then, it was time for lunch.
Yummy… Food was nice!
Off we went to Window of the World. In the van, I told Mr. Lai that we’re not interested in jades, crystals, Chinese herbs or what-so-ever. We’re only interested in tiny souvenirs like key-chains, magnets, etc.
Urged us to go to Splendid China and Cultural Village for a fee. And, we’ll only return to HK after 9pm.
We actually wanted to cancel this Shenzhen trip cause RM 130 for only Window of the World was not worth it. But Y.A. said, booking’s been made, so we had to go, albeit a little reluctantly. I’ve actually been there a decade ago, but I went again to accompany some friends and to see the changes that have taken place. We wanted to go shopping in HK instead but since booking’s been made…
The guide’s expression changed and he seemed less energetic.
At Window of the World, his colleague took pix for us, but we all didn’t buy from him, after we experienced the same thing in HK on 14 March. A silly plate with our pictures pasted on it, plus 3 other pictures costs us HKD 300! No way this time!
The guide was not good at explaining to us the various miniature buildings. We walked and took pix on our own, trying to chat with the guide instead of the other way round. How unprofessional!
Only the 5 of us in this tour (4 adults and a kid).
Took us about 2 hours to walk through the park. We had to miss the evening performance as it was still early when we’re done. We wanted to return to HK earlier, but they took us to a ‘slaughter house’ instead. A Chinese herbs shop. It really felt as if we’re a flock of sheep being led to be slaughtered!
G.M. was scared out of her wits when she thought Joshua was missing! Thank goodness, he was with his daddy!
We didn’t purchase anything there either. It was exorbitant!
That guide was getting more quiet. He was expecting commission from the shops but we didn’t buy anything, except G.M and her hubby who bought some tea and a moon crystal.
I kiam-siap. Don’t want to buy a packet of lychee red tea for RM25 when I could get it for RM 10! :P Am turning into Ebenezer Scrooge now!
Guide’s very disappointed, I guess. So were we...
Brought us to a Lotus Park with no lotus in sight.
God, we have lots of such parks in Malaysia, for God’s sake!
Spent less than 15 minutes there.
Off we went to the border. Van driver seemed upset with us too. Drove recklessly and was speeding.
Crossed the border. What a vast difference! The HK people are friendlier compared to those Mainlanders!
This trip really took away the wool that covered my eyes regarding the impression of the Mainlanders!
They seem to take us as "gold mines"... EEE... Scary
They are maybe the few black sheep that we've encountered.
I guess there are nice Mainlanders too - esp Zhao :)
HK-ies are better. They may be curt, but they don’t give a damn if you don’t buy anything.
Some HK-ies whom we met were really nice and chatty and friendly.
Some spoke to us in Mandarin and were pleasantly surprised when we answered them in Cantonese :P
So, we took the train back to Mongkok. Ventured around. Checked out the shopping mall next o the train station. Bought some t-shirts and a turtle-neck blouse for Marie. Asked for directions to Tong Choi Street (Women’s Street). Whoa! It was a super-long night market! So many things, but I’m being Scrooge again :P Had Che-zhai-mee (cart-noodles) nearby. HKD 48! Sakit hati aku! Anyway, never mindlah… Experience ma… Then, managed to find the pure mango juice and mango pudding which I’ve been craving for a decade (which I’ve once tried). Yummy!
We could hardly make our way back to the hotel. After taking my shower, I collapsed from exhaustion.
DAY FIVE
Finished up all the food that I brought – I’m such an “auntie” lah! Always bringing more than enough, even brought Dettol to clean the bathroom and doorknobs :P "Cleanatic"... Haha…No, I didn’t finish the Dettol though ;) The rest had breakfast at a coffeeshop. Waited for them at the lobby at 11.30 am. Meanwhile, walked around the surrounding area. S.Y. and G.M were so thoughtful; they bought me a “polo-pau".
We were free till 3.15pm, where we’ll be taken to the airport.
So, Y.A. brought us to Whampoa, we took the double-decker bus there. Naturally, all of us sat on the top deck! A whole lot of frogs who came out of the well on an adventure! Hahaha…
Walked around, more snapshots. Bought a pair of pants at a bargain at U*! Less than HKD 50! Quality’s good too! Hmm… Not bad!
Egg tarts… We always watch those TVB movies portraying egg tarts as a tea-time snack. So, we bought some. I still prefer our local Tong Kee egg tarts.
Fish ball noodles for lunch. Rushed back to the hotel for the transfer to the airport.
How fast time flies! Somehow, fun times seem to breeze by!
I can’t believe it’s time to go back to the hot and humid KL.
Everyone was quite in the van.
Checked-in at the airport. More pix.
Eh… HONG KONG Cop! Let’s take a pix with him!
He obligingly agreed! How friendly! What a contrast to those Mainland Gong-An!
Walked around, more shopping. Some Disney stuffs going for a bargain too
Alas! It’s time for boarding…
Small China Airlines plane again…
Some a** behind me took of his shoes! Eek! Damn stinky!
Uncivilized moron!
3 1/2 hours later, we touched down at KLIA.
Had to wait a good 45 minutes to collect our luggage!
In Hong Kong… we could collect it almost immediately after landing!
Talk about efficiency! Somehow, Malaysians are always with their ‘tidak-apa’ attitude.
Sigh…
VERDICT Overall, I think I don’t mind going to Hong Kong again. For the food and shopping. There’re still many places which we didn’t have the chance to go. And, we could blend in with the people there – the language, food, traditions and lifestyles, albeit the cold weather. Are the people there rude? Not exactly. Quite helpful at times too! Also the restaurant workers are quite a friendly lot. Probably we had two adorable kids with us – Mi Shan and Joshua.
Some are quite curt, but we encounter the same thing in Malaysia too. No big deal, right? No problem with any cultural shock or what-so-ever, except for those brazen young couples by the harbour (Avenue of Stars) smooching away, with no regards to our gaping and staring at them for a good 5 minutes! O_O
HongKies have a weird fashion sense, especially the younger generation. Imagine, a dark purple top, with a short denim skirt, black leotards(or is it stokings?) and electric blue flats... Some dressed up in the 80s fashion - big hairdo, with electric green highlights, chewing gum, big shoulder pads and high-waisted jeans (carrot-cut?) and yellow flats... Hmmm... back to the 80s... Fan of Anita Mui and Cyndi Lauper, perhaps? Masya-Allah... What a shock for our eyes!
Nevertheless, it's a nice place and I would really love to make it my travel destination once again!
***SPECIAL THANKS TO GM and SY
without them, we'd never go on this trip :P ***
***THANKS TO THE GUYS - SC, YA and KK for being our photographer, video-man, coolie, body guard (and not to mention, financial controller.. .BLEH! ) :) ***
***EXTRA THANKS TO MR Y.A.TAN
for securing this trip for us
for being our guide in HK
for bringing along darling Mi Shan
for being our TaiKor in HK :) ***
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