Day II: Arrivo HK: Part III

Yeah, we arrived and now, time for exploring the metro! MTRs everywhere meant that all we needed was just a travel card and it brought back memories of London Tube. I still remember those were the days when I started off grumbling at every single train ride I have to go on which I got used to years later.

The MTR map of HK. Pretty extensive I must say and I was impressed. At least it was better than KL travel.

First stop was at Wong Tai Sin, a temple somewhere near to Kowloon. Well, just a customary stop to ensure we have a smooth journey and adventure ahead.

Then of course, ppl were always on the move... it felt like millions of them moving at the same time. I mean, the pace here was so much more intense than KL or Philippines. People hurried along through time as though it was coming to an end. It wasnt like I am not used to it but it has been long ever since...

The big metro where all walks of life meet... before and after the red lights somewhere near to Ladies Street.

The night skyline of HK Island from Hotel Panorama. Notice the laser shows which happens daily from 8-9pm.

The night skyline of HK Island from the Avenue of Stars.

The famous junk traveling across the chanel towards HK Island

The sights and sounds of HK were one of the highlights of the trip. Neon lights flood the city scape and its one of the more litted up cities in the world. It was truly spectacular.

Day I: Arrivo HK: Part II

Arriving in HK was part of the many inter region travel plans I have for the next two years. Having worked in various regions in Asia, I intend to complete the tour of Asia. HK was the first port of call.

Having planned this trip a month before, it wasnt that difficult to imagine that there will be lots of walking and we were geared up for it. Took us almost 1 hour to travel from HKIA to the TST area where our hotel was. You know what, it was so convenient that we were fairly surprised. The transportation mode in and around HK was so efficient. Anyway, for those planning a trip to HK, there are buses plying the hotel routes and its free of charge. The services offered were available at the airport, and also at the Kowloon station. We took the bus from Kowloon station to the nearest situated hotel.

Checked in and as noted in the previous post, the hotel (Hotel Panorama) was great. Then, time for supper. Here comes the interesting part, being strangers in a foreign land, there wasnt any mamak stalls etc and we had to just do as the Romans do.

First stop: Wah Kee Snacks Shop. Looked more like the 'lok-lok' in Malaysia. We thought, hey, great snack at a cheap price.

Notice the fish balls, sio mai's, squid and the various items on display. It was mouth watering to say the least, what more with our stomachs yelling out for mercy.

And so, without even checking out the price on the sign board on top which we had no idea what was being written anyway, we proceeded with our order.

2 sticks of meatballs smothered with satay sauce, and various additionals being thrown in to fill the poly box, we thought... 'yum yum' and we gobbled them up within 5 minutes.

Now, time to pay. To our horror,....this box of 'fish ball' supper cost us HKD 42... which was equivalent to MYR21 OR PHP 273... for a few fish freaking balls.....!!!! Now, that is what I call, exorbitant!

Both Ric and I were gobsmacked and wide eyed, ....hurried along the way quietly... and started to wonder, first day, first rude shock (I mean, we knew it was gonna be expensive in HK but this was..... errrr... unexplainable)....

Holy Week Adventure: Hong Kong: Part I

Well oh well, it has been a long awaited trip and I must say, it went pretty well. This will be the first part of my HK adventure... well, not really an adventure when you see the luxury that both Ric and I invested in. All in all, we spent about MYR6k+ for a 4D/5N trip.

Hotel Panorama, Tsim Tsa Tsui

The first two nights were spent in Tsim Tsa Tsui at Hotel Panorama. I must say, quite impressed with the hotel and its location. I mean, we selected the location precisely to the coordinates located on Google Earth but we didnt think we'll land right in the middle of all classed entertainment area. It was good.. what with the rooms tagged at MYR400 per nite. The hotel staff were all very professional and helpful.

The hotel rooms were averagely sized, but the view from 17th Floor was great... overlooking HK Island and it was all luxuriously furnished. Check out the bath robes, closet, etc below.

Royal Hotel Macau, Macau

Anyway, we went to Macau on the third day and it was astonishing. Again, we lavishedly splurred on Royal Hotel Macau. At about MYR700 per nite, it wasnt surprising. The hotel rooms here are in these price range and the highest could go up to about MYR2500 per nite (Venetian Casino and Resort). However, one should take note that this hotel is located in a not-quite-so-lavish area. Surrounding it were slums. The hotel staffs were extremely friendly and hey, they all spoke Tagalog, welcome to the land of Pinoys again!

The view below from the hotel room at the 15th Floor amidst the slums surrounding it.

The room itself which I shared with Ric, all complete with broadband, embedded plasma TV, lavish bathrobes and branded toiletries. The bathroom was excellent.

South Pacific Hotel, Causeway Bay, HK Island

Duly, on the final night, we were in HK Island where we spent most of the time in Causeway Bay (the famous Tung Sing area) and Wan Chai. We checked into the South Pacific Hotel and my oh my, it was luxurious. We were quickly ushered to the executive floor not knowing that we actually booked into the executive rooms! Duh!! The bell boys and concierge helpers were magnificient and very polite though, unlike what we have read before about Hongkies being all rude and nasty.

No wonder the rooms cost about MYR 400 per nite!

The lobby of the hotel, although small, was impressive based on HK standards.

A living room, 2 televisions (one in room and another in the living room), an equipped mini bar, lavish bath robes (again???), and a bath tub which was soothing! The first dip into cool waters and I did that for half and hour!

Summary

All in all, each person spent about MYR1000 on a 4 night stay which averages out to MYR250 per nite, which I would say, is above average on Msian standards but having said that, we were travelers and knowing so, we werent exactly spending our entire day in the rooms amidst the luxury accorded. Verdict was, we almost but certainly overdid it on the hotel rooms. The advantage was, it was cool that we came back almost every night feeling sore all over and thank God, we had really comfortable nights to pamper ourselves with! (Probably just trying to justify our spending there...) hmmphhh....