Even before Hong Kong Disneyland opened its doors to the public, there was one theme park that both locals and foreigners can visit for a full day of fun and adventure. I am referring to none other than Ocean Park Hong Kong. This particular theme park is considered as one of the world’s best theme parks that provide entertainment and promote education.

Ocean Park is located in Aberdeen towards the Southern part of the Hong Kong island and quite near to a number of discount hotels in Hong Kong. The park opens at 9:00 am and closes at 6:30pm. Those who would like to spend half a day or a full day at Ocean Park can purchase General Admission tickets at the park’s main entrance and at the Tai Shue Wan entrance. Alternatively, tickets are also available at the Citybus Bus Route 629 Terminal which can be found near the Admiralty MTR station (exit B) and also via the Ocean Park Online Ticketing System.

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Posted in Attractions, Hong Kong, Things to do |

Pojangmachas literally mean “covered wagons.” At night, the streets of Seoul and other South Korean cities become enveloped by makeshift plastic tents, while trucks and vans are converted into kitchens where all kinds of greasy food are prepared. These street vendors are so commonplace that they are regularly featured in Korean dramas as they  feed the nightlife of Korea, from the party-going teenagers to the white-collar workers out for late night drinking sessions.

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Posted in Food, Hong Kong, Korea |

Hong Kong is “heaven” not only for shopaholics but for food trippers as well. I love Cantonese food and the fusion of cuisines that I can try while visiting this vibrant city. But aside from appetizers and full entrees, one must also find room in their tummies for delectable desserts that abound in Hong Kong.

The truth of the matter is that Chinese dishes or Chinese cuisine is not really associated with scrumptious desserts. It is a great thing that this situation is changing and that there are quite a number of really nice dessert places that are sprouting all across Hong Kong much to the delight not only of the locals but, of course, of all tourists.

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Posted in Food, Hong Kong |

Every visitor of Hong Kong must also make time to visit the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery which is erected on the thriving hillside of the New Territories.  This particular monastery is a Buddhist Temple located at 220 Pai Tau Village in Shatin just outside downtown Hong Kong.  It is considered one of the most sacred sites in Hong Kong.

It is easy to get to this monastery.  If you come from any hotel in Hong Kong like the Acesite Hotel Hong Kong, you can simply head to the nearest MTR station and ride the MTR to Shatin.  You can get off the MTR at Shatin then head to Park Road.  You will see a shopping mall called IKEA at the top of Park Road. When you reach the entrance of IKEA, you will see a small sign that gives directions to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery.  From here, you can turn left to Pai Tau Street and walk on the ride side of the street then turn towards the small alley  beside the Shatin Cemetery and a building car park. Do not mistake the White Pagoda  at the left side of Pai Tau Road, for the monastery.  This White Pagoda is a cemetery and not a temple. When you see a beautiful entrance and escalators, it means that you are in the wrong place.

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Posted in Attractions, Hong Kong |

There is always something different to see and experience in Hong Kong. The standard Hong Kong itinerary would usually include one or two visits to amusement parks, food trips, and endless shopping sprees. Others prefer to just catch up with some rest and relaxation in any of the fine hotels in the city like the BP International Hong Kong which is located at Hong Kong Island. But there is another interesting attraction in Hong Kong that visitors must make time to see and visit. I am referring to Jumbo Kingdom.

If you find yourself at the south side of the Hong Kong Island then it will be quite easy for you to find Jumbo Kingdom, which is located at the Aberdeen Harbour. Coming from the other parts of Hong Kong, you would have to make your way to the Central MTR station and take bus numbers 70 or 75 from the Exchange Square that will bring you to the Shum Wan Shuttle Ferry Pier. You can also catch the bus at the Admiralty MTR Bus Terminal and this will bring you directly to the Aberdeen Shuttle Ferry Pier. The bus ride will not cost you more than HK$ 10.

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Posted in Attractions, Hong Kong |

One would think that a traveler has already seen all of Hong Kong after touring all the famous shopping areas, having fun at Hong Kong Disneyland or Ocean Park Hong Kong and doing the rounds in the main tourist areas of this pulsating city.  But actually there is still so much to see.  Those who would like to escape the bustling streets of Hong Kong can hop over to another island where it is more peaceful and laid back.  I’m referring to none other than Lamma Island.

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Posted in Hong Kong, Things to do |

Ask anyone who has been to Hong Kong would surely include Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Victoria Peak, Nathan Road among their favorite tourist destinations to visit.  Another tourist attraction that Hong Kong visitors will include in their list of favorites is Repulse Bay.  Yes, Hong Kong has its own beach spots to be proud of.

Repulse Bay is what locals claim as the most stunning bay in the district.  Its name was based on an actual battle that happened back in the nineteenth century when the British soldiers were able to “repulse” pirate attacks.

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Posted in Attractions, Beaches, Hong Kong |

It seems that the financial crisis is not enough reason for some people to put a halt to their travel adventures.  Travel fanatics would still go ahead and book those flights and hotel rooms in their preferred destinations.  If you ask them how they do it, they will tell you that the important thing to remember is that those who would like to travel must learn how to be budget and smart travellers.  More and more practical options are being offered to consumers now from budget airlines, to budget accommodations, to package tours, among others.  For those who travel and would like to do some shopping at the same time, then there are also less expensive options such as flea markets.  Hong Kong visitors, specifically, can visit a number of Outlet Shops where they will surely find original trendy merchandise that are originally meant for export or priced much lower as these are already excess inventories of several brands.

Here is a list of Outlet Stores in Hong Kong where you can shop to your heart’s content:

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Posted in Hong Kong, Things to do |

It was quite foggy the moment we went out of the Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hotel Hong Kong.  It had been raining for a few days and it was obvious that the weather was not cooperating.  I looked at my travel buddy and shrugged my shoulders as if asking if he was still in the mood to push through with our plans for that afternoon and visit the Ngong Ping Village.  He just laughed and ran past me and challenged me to a race to the nearest MTR station.

We rode the MTR from the Tsim Sha Tsui Station and got off the Central Station to transfer to the Tung Chung Line.  It took us close to one hour to get to the MTR Tung Chung Station.  It’s a good thing that we were able to get seats from the Central Station or we would have been left with no choice but stand in the train for a good 30 minutes or so.

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Posted in Attractions, Hong Kong, Things to do |

If you are a first time visitor of Hong Kong, I’m sure that you would have the usual tourist spots included in your travel itinerary.  Friends would recommend that you visit amusement parks like Hong Kong Disneyland or Ocean Park.  For your shopping sprees, you can visit any of Hong Kong’s huge malls like Harbour City, Times Square, Pacific Place, etc.  For adventures, you would definitely want to visit the Ngong Ping 360 adventure or the Peak Tram.

During my recent trip to Hong Kong while touring some friends, we decided to pass through the Pacific Place on our way to the Peak Tram Terminus to reach Victoria Peak.  It was the first time for me to go through that route as I would usually commute to the Star Ferry Terminal and catch a ride in one of the open top buses that travel from the Star Ferry Terminal until the Peak Tram Terminus.

So we asked for directions and we were told that we had to go up the long elevators of Pacific Place and look for signs that will lead us to the base of the Peak Tram.  When we went out the door of Pacific Place, we were surprised to find ourselves in the middle of a lovely park that is simply called Hong Kong Park.

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Posted in Attractions, Hong Kong |