JULY IN HONGKONG (1st Installment)
It was on a month of July that my daughter and me went to Hongkong. Since we are traveling on a budget, we got a Tiger Airways flight from Singapore to Hongkong. We also booked on a budget hotel.
We arrived in Hongkong with a very fair weather. From the time we disembarked our plane it took us 20 minutes to reach the exit point where we looked for a Money Changer to change Singapore Dollar to Hongkong Dollar. Arriving at 12 noon is timely for lunch. We scanned around for a nice place to eat and we were brought to Ajisen Ramen. Though food was quite expensive because the place is inside the airport premises, taste was so good, a real authentic Chinese food. After filling our stomachs, we went out of the terminal building and went to purchase the MRT Airport Express Card worth HK$150. Like Singapore's EZ Link MRT Card, we can also use this in all the train lines.
We arrived at Printemp Hotel, a budget hotel which exceeded my expectations of a budget hotel. Everything was so clean and pristine and it is accessible to all restaurants. We were billeted to a room in the 10th floor of which the view was so great and the 42" TV set gives a very clear picture. Air conditioning unit was excellent and the temperature was just enough to quench the heat outside.
On the first 3 days, we were able to go to Ngong Pin, The Peak and had Dolphin Watching on board a motorized banca. We were also able to try the local food offered by the restaurants nearby our hotel. Fruit was aplenty right in front our hotel. Though our accommodation does not include food, it was not difficult for us since it is available 24 hours around the vicinity.Transport also was so accessible. We tried the tram, the MRT, the bus and the taxi. Every night we go home tired from all the walks we did during the day.
On the 4th day, we did our shopping. I was not so impressed in comparison to Bangkok. Hongkong pale in comparison to Bangkok when it comes to goods to be bought. Dresses, Shoes, Bags, Make-up, and etc.
On the 5th day, we decided not to go out because it was raining and besides, we wanted to rest because we were leaving for our flight back to Singapore the following early morning. However, the night before we left, the TV anchor announced that Hongkong is on Signal Number 8. Still, the following morning we checked out of our hotel at 5AM to catch up our plane that is suppose to leave at 10AM. We braved the heavy rains and the strong winds thinking that it is just nothing and we will reach Singapore safe and sound. Nobody advised us from the hotel that flights were already cancelled and could not leave Hongkong Airport. Right, we arrived the airport on time, but on our way we could see trees that fell down . We could not feel the strong winds while inside the Airport Express Train. We waited for 28 hours for our flight to take off. There were lots of people inside the terminal and you could not sleep because you may not know your flight will be ready to take off. There were long queues in the food stalls and people were lying on the cement floor. I was so tired and swore not to visit Hongkong again on July.
To sum it all, though the experience on the last day was not good, we were able to have great memories on the first 3 days. BUT, an advice, NEVER VISIT HONGKONG IN JULY.
