Getting Around Hong Kong

I now move on to getting around Hong Kong. Luckily, HK has one of the mos efficient public transportation systems in the world, the bus and subway systems are very well developed, efficient, safe and cost effective to use.

I decided that I will be looking for a place to stay in either Mongkok or Tsim Tsa Tsui, so I based all my itinerary and schedule from these origin, Both are in Kowloon.

First was how do I get to kowloon from the airport, we will be arriving past 12 in the midnight and the airport express train to the city will no longer be available, the next best option is to take the bus as taking a taxi would cost 300 HK$ and the bus would only be 23 HK$ each.

Since it is already after midnight, we will be taking the N21 Bus as this will be traversing Nathan Road, passing by Mongkok and ending up in Tsim Tsa Tsui. If it was day time, the bus route will be A21 and would cost 33 HK$.

That takes care of getting to our accomodation and having a little rest before our first full day at HK.

For our Day 1 itinerary, We had to go to the Mid-Levels Escalator, Victoria Peak,
Ocean Park and Avenue of the Stars. The best way to get to HK island was to take the MTR and get off at Central Station, which would cost 10.5 HK$ from Mongkok. A short walk would bring us to the mid-levels escalator and half-way through the escalator, we can get off and take a short walk/tour to get to the Peak Tram station (48 HK$ for a round trip).

Upon returning from The Peak, the MTR Admiralta station is just a short walk from the Peak Tram station. at Exit B2, Buses to Ocean Park are available, Bus route no. 629, which will cost 10.6 HK$ for a trip. We can take the same bus from Ocean Park to get back to the Admiralty MTR Station.

Getting to the Avenue of the Stars, taking the MTR from Admiralty, we get off at Tsim Tsa Tsui (8.5 HK$). Take exit J and take a short walk, 5 min.

That takes care of Day 1......

Planning the Trip

After buying the tickets, I now set my sights on our itinerary.

I scoured the net and asked friends who had already been to Hong Kong for which places we should go to. After awhile, the reality that I cannot get to all the major places in such a short time, sank in.

I then decided to prioritize.

No. 1, 2 and 3 on the list where Disneyland, Oceanpark and Macau. I had to allocate 1 full day for Macau, so that leaves me with 2 full days, I also had to allocate 1 full day for Disneyland and I decided that since the park was close to the airport, I shall leave this as the highlight of the trip and allocate the last day, the flight back to Cebu was at 12 AM and check-in starts at 10PM so that leaves just enough time to travel from Disneyland to the Airport.

I then decided I wanted to go to the mid-levels escalator, victorias peak and avenue of the stars. So, I studied their locations, opening times and all info, I even looked at their locations using google maps and earth. I was able to come up with this day 1 itenerary.

Day 1
Mid-Levels Escalator
Victoria Peak
Ocean Park (Opens at 10)
Avenue of the Stars (synphony of lights show starts at 8PM)

I felt really happy and comfortable with this schedule so I then moved on to researching for my day 2 in Macau.

A Macau visit will be incomplete without a visit to St. Pauls ruins so that is no. 1 on the list, My wife wanted to go to the Venetian and that is no. 2 on the list. I now had to schedule this as well as the other sites. I learned that I could hit 2 birds with one stone by going to Senado Square first and walking up the road will lead me to St. Pauls Ruins. I also learned that the Fishermans Wharf was just beside the Terminal and that the Venetian(as well as other hotels) provide free bus rides. So I came up with this Day 2 itinerary.

Day 2
HK - Macau (Turbo Jet)
The Venetian
Macau Tower
Senado Square - Ruins of St. Paul
Fishermas Wharf
Macau - HK (Turbo Jet)

Since the 3rd day was already dedicated to Disneyland, I only had to research the public travel options and schedules.

Feeling comfortable with the itinerary, I now moved on to studying the public transportation, accomodation and food part of the trip.

My Hong Kong Vacation

I was able to purchase 0 fares from Cebu Pacific for Cebu to Hong Kong.

I scheduled a 3 full day trip with my family and the timing was great as the last day will be my wife's birthday.

The trip was from Dec. 5 to 9, I had Dec. 6, 7 and 8 as full days to conquer Hong Kong.

Upon learning about Macau being such a short distance away, I though I will try to squeeze it into my already very short stay.