This blog is to retain our memories of the above trip and may not be interesting reading.
We landed in HK at 09.00 pm and were out of immigration and customs in a flash. Hardly had any wait for the taxi and got to know first hand the pace at which the Chinese worked, talked, ate and played. While our two bags were being stowed into the taxi we, as normal Indians who need to oversee everything, were waiting on the roadside to supervise the driver. The ushers who directed passengers in to the cabs, got annoyed and started hurrying us into the cab, saying that the taxi drivers are professionals at stowing luggage and that we were holding up the queue by just standing around.
Driving into Hong Kong City from the Airport made us realise that though we have seen Dubai grow over the years and many of the articles in my blog have been about its transformation, the development here was simply phenomenal. Hong Kong completely surprised us with its pace of progress. Coming out of the Airport, we all felt like yokels from the countryside coming into the big city. The road network, the buildings, the Metro, the buzz, the people and the cleanliness was amazing. I am sure there are a lot of dirty streets and alleys hidden behind the bigger streets, but for us what was amazing was despite the sheer crush of people, the number of eating outlets and food being cooked on the roads, there were no stray cats and dogs, no rats and no crows.
The check-in to our Hotel (Langham Place) in Mongkok was smooth and professional. We arrived at the hotel at 10.00 pm, and by 10.15 we were admiring the excellent service and the rooms with breathtaking Harbour views from the 33rd floor.
Day 1
Next day we went browsing in Kowloon, along Nathan road, and then into Harbour City mall. It was a rainy and foggy day, and since we were not prepared for it we had to buy a couple of umbrellas. We were told at the Hotel to bargain at the roadside shops, so we visited a few shops to get a feel of the prices of the umbrellas. Since they seemed to have a streetside cartel and the prices being exactly the same all over, I thought I would try bargaining at the next establishment. I asked the price of an umbrella and the old chinese lady (they were always old chinese ladies at roadside shops) said $ 20.00. Nodding I asked her what the price would be if I bought two, and before I could finish the question back came the answer - $ 40.00 - in the typical straight faced chinese english, as if I was a fool who could not calculate. I loved her dry sense of humour so much, or at least made that excuse, that I bought the two unbrellas.
Went on the Star Ferry to HK island, and then back to walk along Nathan road. In the evening we walked along the Night Market and Electronic Market streets. I had planned to purchase a Digital Camera, and very foolishly bought it from the very first shop I entered. I was just too intimidated to say that I would look around. For dinner that night we had to buy food and take it to the Hotel room, as there was no place to sit anywhere. It seemed to us that no one in HK ate at home.
Day 2
Second day we took a trip to Lantau Island to see the largest sitting Buddha in the world. It was a much more foggier day than the day before, and we could not see much on our way to the statue. We took a glass bottomed cable car, to get a better view, but even then it was murky. We had an Australian couple for company in the cable car going up. Very friendly and chatty, and the lady was much more so, due to her being afraid of heights. The day was a lovely family outing though we would have enjoyed the scenery more if it had been sunny.
Second day we took a trip to Lantau Island to see the largest sitting Buddha in the world. It was a much more foggier day than the day before, and we could not see much on our way to the statue. We took a glass bottomed cable car, to get a better view, but even then it was murky. We had an Australian couple for company in the cable car going up. Very friendly and chatty, and the lady was much more so, due to her being afraid of heights. The day was a lovely family outing though we would have enjoyed the scenery more if it had been sunny.
Day 3
The third day was Disneyland via Sunny Bay station. Had been warned that this was the smallest one in the world. The park did not have an abundance of thrilling rides for adults, with the Space Mountain being closest to acceptable, but Lea enjoyed every minute of it. The ambience and set up was superb. The weather was sunny and warm, and we all wished that it would have been the other way around with our trip of the precious day.
The third day was Disneyland via Sunny Bay station. Had been warned that this was the smallest one in the world. The park did not have an abundance of thrilling rides for adults, with the Space Mountain being closest to acceptable, but Lea enjoyed every minute of it. The ambience and set up was superb. The weather was sunny and warm, and we all wished that it would have been the other way around with our trip of the precious day.
Day 4
Ocean Park the next day was great. The whole family enjoyed. It was much bigger, and when we reached in the morning, the park was not crowded at all. We finished all our rides by the time the weather became inclement. Had our first experience riding a roller-coaster in the rain. By the time the weather cleared, the crowd had increased. Anyway the rides had very short waiting times, and in fact quite a few had no wait at all. The longest wait was for the cable car going to the Summit and back. The park was full of senior citizen groups and hence the milder rides were busier.
Ocean Park the next day was great. The whole family enjoyed. It was much bigger, and when we reached in the morning, the park was not crowded at all. We finished all our rides by the time the weather became inclement. Had our first experience riding a roller-coaster in the rain. By the time the weather cleared, the crowd had increased. Anyway the rides had very short waiting times, and in fact quite a few had no wait at all. The longest wait was for the cable car going to the Summit and back. The park was full of senior citizen groups and hence the milder rides were busier.
Day 5
The last day, in true family style we lazed. Had breakfast a bit later, went back to the room and then decided to wander around the city. We checked out in the afternoon, and having half the day to spend, went off to Harbour City Mall again. That was a mistake - having gone there on Day1, we should have realised that with only high end designer outlets, there was really nothing for us to browse or shop. Took the metro back to the hotel, collected our bags from the concierge and then left for the airport at 08.30 pm. Had fast food for dinner at the airport, and then tried (unsuccessfully) to sleep all the way home.
The last day, in true family style we lazed. Had breakfast a bit later, went back to the room and then decided to wander around the city. We checked out in the afternoon, and having half the day to spend, went off to Harbour City Mall again. That was a mistake - having gone there on Day1, we should have realised that with only high end designer outlets, there was really nothing for us to browse or shop. Took the metro back to the hotel, collected our bags from the concierge and then left for the airport at 08.30 pm. Had fast food for dinner at the airport, and then tried (unsuccessfully) to sleep all the way home.
Concluding impressions
Hotel was absolutely superb, service was probably the best I have experienced. The Club L lounge (Relax, Refresh and Recharge) was fantastic with refreshments being offered 24 hours of the day. The massage chairs were the perfect treat after a long and tiring day out. The Hotel located in the heart of Mongkok, and being connected to one of the better malls as well as the Metro system was extremely convenient to move around.
Food was world class and absolute value for money almost everywhere we went. That is if one could get a chance to sit and eat. Restaurants were full almost everywhere we went, at all times of the day.
The Parks (Disney and Ocean Park) were nothing to shout home about, but still fun. As tourists we had the luxury of visiting them on working days of the week, which meant that we had to cope with less crowds. And best of all, was the fact that Lea had reached a height, where she was admitted to most of them.
The people themselves (outside of our hotel staff) were less than friendly and to be honest quite pushy. We encountered numerous occasions when we were jostled out of line, or just pushed out of the way. That being said, in my opinion it was the elderly generation who behaved boorishly, whereas the younger and educated Chinese, seemed more genteel. There is hope for us all!
The development in the city was staggering, with huge high rises and people everywhere, but still clean and functioning. It looked like a city of the 21st Century. The Chinese seem to be always in a hurry, when they talk and walk, when they serve and they sell. It seems that they have all entered into a race with time, and to be honest, to me they looked as if they were winning.
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