Only the 2nd Trip for the year, and it's not to some place I haven't been before. The only difference is that we are travelling with a baby of 14mths.
Pearl of The Orient --- Hong Kong
Depart to HK : 1010
Reach HK : 1405
Flight : CX736 (Cathay Pacific)
We didn't go with the idea of a Budget Airline like Jetstar or Tiger mainly because of leg room concern, and it would also be more convenient to travel on a Full-Fledge Airline if you are travelling with Kids...
Bro-in-law actually got us book on 2 cabs to fetch the whole family to the Airport on time, but only 1 cab turn up on time...the other one was almost 30mins late (7.45am). As we are the ones holding on the Passport, the folks have to wait for us to arrive before we can check-in (Bad idea)....Always leave your Passport with the ones who will arrive @ the Airport first......They can at least queue up and save us some time...
Breakfast was settled @ Subway....as we didn't manage to find the Coffee shop located in Terminal 1, as we didn't want to be rushing too much, we settle down here..
After breakfast, we proceed to the departure lounge to wait for the boarding of the plane. The baby was excited to see so many people waiting in the lounge...
Sis and Mum...waiting for the announce....1 very funny and really annoying thing I must comment about Cathay is the way they handle EY Class Passenger...they really make us look like "3rd Class" people, they make all the EY Passenger line-up in rows and watch the First Class Passenger take their walk to the Plane....I thought this could have be done much more gracefully.....(Pt minus, SIA 1, Cathay 0)
The Plane probably arrive early this morning....and is now ready for boarding...
Not Much Plane alone Terminal 1, All SIA flights now depart from T3
The Flight Took off on Time @ 10.15am....
We Can see the Singapore and Malaysian Landscape once we were Air-borne...
Long Stretch of Road Toward Changi Exhibition hall...lol
Review of Cathay PAcific inflight Service & Entertainment.
It have been a while since I actually took a Full Fledge Airline....The last time I took 1 was when I went over to Taiwan on an SIA Flight.
We were serve some beverage upon air-borne....it include a cup of drink of your choice, I choose Orange Juice, a packet of nuts and disposable Towel.
I think probably SIA is the only Airline that give out Hot Towel to Passenger. Not Sure if they still do it.....but if they do....the score would be (SIA 2, Cathay 0)
Lunch was serve on board as the flight would only arrive in Hong Kong @ 2pm in the afternoon. Order a Chicken with Carrot Rice. Taste was within expectation.
In flight Entertainment was never expected to be near SIA's KrisWorld Level, and I am not surprise. The number of Channel and Games and not as much as those on SIA.
The Earphone....which is not noise cancelling...so....u cannot actually hear the "stereo" music well with it.
Very Similar to KrisWorld Remote.....rather user-friendly, nothing to fault here.
Crew members are generally prompt and polite...and the Captain periodically updates on weather and arrive status.
Photos taken on the flight @ 30,000ft...this are all over the South China Sea I suppose.
The baby soon fell asleep mins into the flight...Was rather surprise as I thought the Altitude difference would make it rather difficult to fall asleep added that the cabin noise from the Engine is quite loud.
Waking up only 1hr plus into the flight....having 2hrs to go before we reach HK. The Theory of the Engine noise and Altitude Difference make a shorter power nap for her..
Baby with Mum...on the small EY Seat...As this is her first flight in her entire life...she is curious with almost everything..
As we approached the Hong Kong 's Lautau island, where the Chap Lap Kok Airport is located, we begin to see hilly structures....HK though is larger in size compare to Singapore, but the amount of usable land is limited as most of them are hill and mountain...than explain why Property prices here are higher than that of Singapore
We can see some of the island development as we approached the Airport....The New Airport unlike the old one is located on a rather remote part of HK.
We landed at Chap Lap Kok International Airport @ around 2.15pm in the Afternoon. Weather was a sunny Afternoon, and I am glad it is still a little cooler than Singapore...25C.
Cathay Pacific Planes can be seen everywhere...
As the Airport is rather large and travelling between airport is done via a MRT like system...aka Sky Train in Singapore Context. Rather troublesome....
The sign in the Airport are Big and Clear...we proceed to for immigration and in no time we are off to collect our baggages.
Collection of baggage was fast....no complaint about that....
There is a Direct Train to the City from the Airport...but since we are on a tour...kinda....we have Airport Transfer included in the package..
We manage to spot our tour guide shortly after arrival, but were call to wait in line as there is quite a number of pick-up today...we waste no time in settling the baby's Lunch...A bottle of MILK...
As The Christmas season is approaching, there are decoration in the Airport to mark the Atmosphere of the season.....
Wasted no time to grab photos of it...while waiting for everyone to arrive..
Mum with baby xuan...
The wait was rather long as it was a rather big group and some of them are stuck in the immigration and baggage collection area...
Baby is getting sleepy after waiting for so long...lol
Baby's mum & Dad can't help but to take more photos with her since it their first outing outside of home...
As We don really know when we will be setting off...we didn't really wonder off very far to explore the Airport. Took photos with the Decorations and walking around the check out the temperature.
I Explore their auto-Octopus Card Transaction System. This is something really new, as back In Singapore, we have yet to find this. Am Really surprise there is still 30+ HKD inside my Octopus Card which I brought it since 2005.
One Advantage of using the Trains in HK is the fact that they have a Direct Link from city Center right to the Airport. Cost around HKD$300, which translate to around S$55. Include in the package is a return ride to the Airport and 3 days of unlimited MTR ride....quite worth it if u are travelling in groups of 2.
The group finally arrived in Full Strength, and we are guided by the Agent to the Bus Terminal at the lower floor of the Airport where we board our Bus that lead us straight to the Hotel. Time Check : 4pm.....Almost whole day gone...I guess today will probably just be a shopping and walking around.
As the Airport is located on an island, if I am not wrong, is Lautau island, we need to cross the "Green Horse" Bridge to reach the Hong Kong mainland, Aka..."9 Dragon"
As we approach the City....It take us about an hours to reach the City..
Hotel : Dorsett Seaview
Honestly speaking, other than during the time when i was very young....the rest of the trip to HK, this is the only Hotel I have stay in so far...it is by far the cheapest I must say. Estimated to be around S$100 per night per room depending on the season.
The Hotel seem to have gone through a make-over, and it is for the better. I use to remember the hotel as being extremely small, Toilet so small, if one fell, the whole room plus the next can hear that happen. But this impression was changes, the photos will do some justice.
Now the room look more spacious.....We book a room enough for 3, I remember, the other time when I was here, a Room for 3 mean having 3 beds, so this was quite good. Now LCD is part of the deal....very good deal I must say....and Cable TV was included, and I didn't remember there were so many channels....the upgrade to HD TV helps...here.
Even the toilet also receive a major face-lift. Though it is still rather small, but alot of space saving feature make the toilet more spacious and enough to fit a shower room door...
Small Sink but very much usable.
Space saving feature.....
The Shower section, amazing they are able to increase the size of this place...with all these space saving features
Corridor remain very much unchanged though
After Settling down and washing up for a while, it is rather late, realise that the wait for all the other people really waste alot of our time.....A morning flight resulted in an evening check-in @ the Hotel....see the time wasted?
.....As it is Dinner time, we headed to our first and probably a regular food stop since it is just next to our hotel ....Mido Cafe...
The Restaurant is located both at the ground floor as well as the 2nd floor, but there are more places or seat on the 2nd floor. Their recommended dishes are all displayed on the wall, have a really hard time trying to decide which one to eat with so many variety...
I remember having some delicous food here the previous time when I was here, but I can't remember the stuff that I ordered. For a Start, Food in HK are generally more expensive than in Singapore. Here a Drink will cost u around $2.50(HKD12-14) and the main course will cost u between $7 to 12 (HKD 35-65)
As we are really hungry, we follow what the folks at the cafe recommended....there was this helpful guy....who i suppose is of a "Senior" position....who kindly recomended a few dish for us...
The Dish didn't take too long thoughWe order their HK's "Hor Fun" with prawns. Not too bad as well....but I thought they really put quite abit of MSG.
Fried Rice....Taste a little salty than the ones we have in Singapore....HK's taste are a little on the salty side..
I Order a Sweet and Sour Pork Rices...and it prove to be the worst of all selection
It is just way too sour and I think they put vinegar which make this dish taste funny...but I still finish the meal though....as quite hungry
The guy actually recommended they "Chao Pai" dish...aka prawn Baked Rice....and this was really good.....very very tasty...Highly Recommended...
Beside those dish, I order their ever famous Ying-Yang, aka Coffee + tea....their mixture here is more balance than that of those at home where they either put more coffee or Tea, though the former is more likely
Although there isn't much here for the baby to eat, she still get her fair share....and YES...she does eat "Adult Food"...lol
After Dinner, as it is still early...7.30pm only...we decided to talk a walk to the famous Ladies Street to see if we can get some cheap Tee and bags..the other time I was there..I brought a bag (Only)...in the Direction of Nathan Road...
Photos taken along Nathan Road...Although it is not like below 20C...but it is still Cold if the wind is blowing....
Me Along Nathan road....I am without my Jacket so the temperature is still bearable...
Trying to take a photo with the kid...
Took us around 20mins to walk from our hotel area to Ladies Street...it was a rather quiet night as there wasn't alot of tourist walking around....wondering if it is due to the "Acid" incident...which happen quite near this area....anyway...was rather disappointed by the amount of Chinese goods at this area....they don look to authetic...anymore...
Ladies stuff such and famous handbags are everywhere on the streets stores
I regretted not getting one of these since I have been look for a bag like in the longest time....and these look seriously Authentic...(I meant the backpack @ the background)
As we didn't find anything that we like, we actually finish walking the street like in 30mins....as the baby is starting to feel tired...we decided to walk back to the hotel.....
This Cafe, was still at the same place..the last time I visited, The Name : "Hui Lau San", aka Xu Liu Shan, is a place that Sell Mango related Dessert. I think we have 1 in Singapore which I heard it @ Holland V, but I didn't see it...before..lol
The menu is still the same as per the last time I was here.....
Ordered the Fruit and Mango Pudding, Consist of Various fruits like strawberries, papaya and watermelon to name a few....SWEET!! , HKD$30 (SGD$5)
Peanut and Almond Paste, not as good as I thought as the Almond and Peanut paste is not strong enough for my liking...
Crystal Jelly with Extra Mango, the pudding here does add to improve the taste...GREAT!!, HKD$30, around SGD$5
The Classic Mango Dessert, Sago in mango juice with extra mango, You will like this if you like Mango..I did....YUMMY!!, HKD$28
Mum and Dad definitely enjoy the dessert, though they actually try it a few time before...when they visited HK a few year ago
It's their first time in the Special Administration Region....so this is something very new...
Shot after the dessert, like I say...sweet things make people HAPPY, evermore so after a tiring day travelling from Singapore to here..and carrying a 10kg baby around....who can hardly walk.
Temple Street just happen to be just beside our hotel, so we took a little time walking the street to check out the stuff on sale...here they mostly sell toys though....up further are various "makan" places where most of the local frequent.
There are also some imitation goods such as caps and winter wear on sale as well....
Toys here are usually a bargain, but you will need to negotiate with the store-owner for a good price...I didn't fancy anything here..though..but if you are look for cheap display toys...this will be the place...but if u are into genuine toys, that it is better to go to those place that sell toys....
But it definitely make the baby excited..lol
The Street get more crowded as u move further up into the streets, here you will see rows of chairs and table that are setup here for the Hong Kong Version of our Local Clay-pot Rice....but their version is kinda subtle compare to ours which I think is richer is taste....but still there are lots of people here..
As the night is getting late.....it is around 10pm when we finished walking the street, we come across this store that sell, HK's version of "Hao Jian", aka oyster fried in eggs
Look like there are alot of customers ordering as well...these Oyster cake as they call it here are all prepared, but ours is not taken from here...
We actually have to make payment with a store on the opposite side of the road, take the receipt here to collect our stuff....Cost HKD$20 per cake, we brought 2 for our supper....(super sinfully, but it a holiday anyway..)
We got 2rooms for the trip, one with my parents, and one with the baby and my sis, but as Room 215 is bigger, so we decide to sway rooms and I got to stay with the baby to help out...looking after her..lol...wonder if I am of much..help though.
The Family taking a photo in front of the Christmas Tree....All tired though.
@ the Lift to the rooms on the 2nd floor.....
Although there is breakfast in the hotel, it was not provided in the package that we booked with the hotel...so tomorrow morning breakfast...we need to find place to eat..lol
Our Sinful Supper, taste was alright, there were lots of oyster inside, much more than the ones in Singapore but smaller. But the Taste is on the lighter side until we pour the chilli inside, bad choice, it make the whole stuff very salty.
Didn't know HK's chilli is so salty..lol
We will go on our included half day Tour tomorrow morning...@7.30am....lucky..
Breakfast is included.....
1 comment:
i tot all electronics devices have to be turned off when the plane take off !? how did u manage to take those pictures ?
anyway, I LUV Hongkong!
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