Even though I had a couple of lucky instances to go back and forth Hong Kong last year, I still feel that I did not do everything that I wanted to do. The last time I visited was the longest that I have stayed there. Still, I didn’t manage my time properly and ended up doing a lot of things last minute and still missed out on a lot of fun activities. Really stupid of me to waste that opportunity.
Anyway, just so I won’t forget, and I definitely won’t this time because this post will serve as the obvious in-your-face reminder whenever I see it. Thought I’d make a list here instead of in a journal that I’ll probably stash somewhere and forget about in the next coming months.
In a nutshell, we wanna do more touristy activities (excluding shopping) and minimize spending money unless it’s for food and fees to said touristy places. I made a short list below…
1. Go farther than the usual MTR stations
Taken from Tuen Mun station (very last and farthest station located in New Territory, HK)
Since we were by ourselves with no proper adult supervision, we decided to play it safe and only go to places nearby the place we stayed. Heck, just in the vicinity of the area there are a lot of places we can walk to (normal and tourist-friendly places). It was safe, but also very boring. I think going a little further away from Hong Kong’s shopping district this time is okay and we won’t get lost. What we learned is along as you know the nearest train station, you’ll always find your way back home (to the hotel).
Google Maps also becomes your best friend in the entire trip. Make sure you have enough battery to last you a day, and 3G internet.
No concrete plan as to which stations exactly, that’s the fun of it. Hahaha.
2. Go to Hong Kong Disneyland
I’m sorry if this incredibly cheesy and stupid for someone my own age to want but I’m that old enough but I have never been to Disneyland. cue sad violin player here Yeah yeah, HK Disneyland is not the best Disneyland amusement park out of all BUT it’s still one so it still counts. I don’t think I will take advantage of going in all the rides when I’m there, but I feel like I do want to check out the entire area. I am never leaving until I have checked every nook and cranny of Hong Kong Disneyland. I expect things to cost expensive, too, so.. maybe this will be the biggest expense in this list.
3. As much as possible, only eat local Hong Kong food and not what we already have back home
Egg tart
This one we already started to do right when we got there. Local food is more affordable anyway so it’s a win-win situation. Haven’t done my research yet on these but as far as I know.. there’s the egg tart I have to look forward to, and real Hong Kong dimsum.
If you’re like myself who isn’t used to using chopsticks, it might be a problem as some of the local restaurants there don’t have fork and spoon utensils and give out only chopsticks. Well, there’s a spoon for the soup.
Funny story: Every time we ate, I hoped they have a spoon and fork ready.. and breathe a sigh of relief when they do.
4. Take a photo of the city from Victoria Peak at night
Shot from a different perspective, at Harbour City. Close enough.
It’s quite annoying that I had a couple of chances to do this but the timing just never aligned and something was always in the way preventing this from happening. I got to visit the Peak, but it was during the afternoon. We could’ve waited til nighttime but the problem was the longer we stayed the colder it got.. until I can’t take it. Had to say goodbye. I did get to take a nice photo of the Peak’s view during daytime though. Hoping to spend longer time til nighttime on my next visit for that shot!
5. Check out the infamous night market at Temple Street
Pop-up Market in an alley at Central, Hong Kong
I know I said no shopping and minimize spending but come on, it’s only a walking distance from TST and would make a nice destination from a night stroll on a Friday night. Plus I need the exercise, lol. By the time we get there, they might be closing so we might be able to score a few items at a super low price (depending on how good I can haggle).
Or I might realize it’s just useless crap I have no use shouldn’t give in to impulse buys and window shopping is better and I should go buy ourselves some refreshments and hangout by the nearest eatery around the night market.
Aww thank you Gingi! Yes, I understand what you mean. Actually that kind of photography you described is my weakness. That kind where you scout for a location, find people, plan everything up, and do a real shoot.. kinda like what you do. I admire what you do and you make it look so easy from your posts. I can never have the courage to do that, mainly because I’m a shy person and I’d be too afraid to network haha.
I really like your eye, you have a GREAT eye for photography.. I always feel like my photos are too “posed” you know what I mean? Like, I rarely take pictures in the moment, I just get distracted and then eventually go, “Oh yeah! I was going to take photos!” haha… – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
I’ve never been to HK. I always thought HK will be my first foreign land to visit. Sabi din kasi nila HK is overrated. But I really don’t care! I wanna go there, and sa Macau! They look so sophisticated!
Is it easy to be a tourist there? Like, is there no problem communicating with people for basic questions? And do they have English labels everywhere like SG does? Hahahaha.
It was the first country I visited outside Philippines too. Haha, not my choice, my parents only took me with them for a family vacation.
Yeah I do think it’s overrated too but who cares, it’s a nice getaway from Philippines and walang hassle lol. They also said na it’s the most expensive country in Asia, but I beg to differ. I still think it’s more expensive in Singapore haha. I’ve been to Macau once and hindi ko masyadong naappreciate because mga 1990s yun, wala pa akong kamwang-mwang.
I’m sure a lot of things has changed since then, though. Parang Las Vegas na yung peg ng country na yun for me.
Yes it’s easy to go around HK as a tourist! There are English guides everywhere. Kinda hit and miss w/ communicating though, like when you ask for directions but not all are like this.