HONG KONG BUDGET TOUR August 10, 2008

HKIA AIRPORT TIP
We arrived HKIA at 10AM. First thing we did was to get an Octopus Card from the Cusmer Service area infront of Burger King and Cafe de Coral. An Octopus Card can be used in riding the bus, MTR, Star ferry, getting a meal from Mcdo or buy from 7/11 stores. You can buy the card for 50HKD and get an initial load of 100HKD. You pay a total amount of 150HKD which goes a long way, for as long as you know how to use your Octopus card wisely. What’s nice about the Octopus Card is that even if shoWs a negative sign, there’s nothing to worry about, because you still paid for the fare. But you can only go as low as -35 HKD. Hwag naman abusado! Another thing to make sure that you get a map and all the brochures that’s available in the airport. For the first timers, importante ang MAP especailly for those DIY trips.

HOTEL ACCOMODATION
We took the A21 bus on our way to the hotel at YMCA International House in Yau Ma Tei. We were charged 33HKD each in our Octopus Card. For the hotel, we paid 1,485HKD for a 3N4D stay. If I were to rate the hotel, I’d give it a 4/5. It’s location is perfect! 2 min walk to the nearest MTR subway station (Yau Ma Tei). There’s a 7/11 near the back entrance, a spa/massage, money changer, chinese resto, bakery and a sari-sari store. Yes! There’s a sari-sari store. It’s also mear Yoshinoya, Mcdo and KFC. Kung medjo praning ka at gusto mo un may malapit na hospital, it’s just a 10 minute walk away! They clean the room everyday, change the towels, fill-in the coffee and tea trays, and new sets of toiletries. Their staff can understand and speak English fairly well, except the accent!

1st Day
A. The Peak
Price: (I’ll post the rate later… I forgot na eh. I have to look for the receipt)
Directions: MTR- From Central Station, go to J2 exit. Turn right through Chater Garden, cross Queen’s Rd, make your way up to Garden Rd. You will pass by Bank of China, Citibank Plaza and St. John Cathedral.
Tip: Don’t buy souveniers @ The Peak. A bit expensive compared to those sold in Mongkok and TST.

B. Avenue Of Stars- You can watch the Symphony of Lights from there. There’s a big Starbucks in front of the Vicoria Harbor that has a very nice view of the bay.
Price: Free. Walang Bayad dito.
Directions: MTR- Go to TST (Tsim Sha Tsui) I forgot which exit to take. Just follow the signs

2nd Day
A. DISNEYLAND- Opens @ 10AM
Price: Adult 295HKD (Regular Day); 350HKD (Peak Day); 350HKD (Special Day)
Child 210HKD (Regular Day); 250HKD (Peak Day); 250HKD (Special Day)
Senior 170HKD (Regular Day); 200HKD (Peak Day); 200HKD (Special Day)

Direction: MTR- Get off Lai King, inter change station going to Sunny Bay
Tip: Kumaen na kayo before you go there. Most Restos opens at 11:30AM.

B. City Walk in Mongkok and Yau Ma Tei
Tip: Don’t expect too much in Mongkok. Mas gusto ko pa mag shopping sa Divisoria, mas madame magagandang items, mura pa. My favorite shop lang dun is Sasa… ang sarap magmamili ng perfume and make-up, all original!

3rd Day
MACAU- But because of the typhoon which is signal # 8, all trips going to Macau via Turbojet and Cotai jet were canceled! Kaloka!!!! Ang aga namen gumising for this… canceled pla!!! SUSME!
Usual question: Do you need a VISA going to Macau from HK? Answer: No need. Just bring your passport.

Directions: MTR- Sheung Wan station, Shuntak Center 3rd floor for the Turbojet. For Cotai jet naman, go to TST Exit A1.

Umuwe na lng kame. At dahil walang bukas na shops, nag grocery na lng kame sa Wellcome! We spent the entire day sa loob lng ng hotel. We went out around 6PM to grab sometjing to eat…at paglabas namen… Surprise! Ang dame ng bukas na shops!!!! Kahit umuulan…deadma! Explore the city ang drama!

4th Day
OCEAN PARK- Opens @ 10AM
Price: Adult 208HKD; Child 103HKD;

Directions: MTR- Go to Admiratly station (I forgot which exit) Then, take Bus # 629. Admission tickets are also available at the Citybus Route 629 Terminal. Pag exit mo ng Admiralty Station going to Ocean Park, may ticketing booth dun agad.

Tip: You can buy discounted Disney and OP ticket at Traveleasy LTD shop: 316, 3/f Worldwide Plaza 19 Des, Wovex Rd Central. For Pear\k Days: OP- 170HKD, DISNEY- 320KHD

GETTING AROUND HONGKONG
Tip: You may opt NOT take a cab, because they charge like they’ll eat your entire shoping budget. I’m exaggerating, okay. HK has the most easiest and one of the most convinient transpo system in the world. Ask anyone who’s been in HK, they’ll say that even a 7 year-old won’t get lost. For as long as you can read, you’re safe.

MTR- They don’t have cashiers/counters that sells train tickets, but they do have a Customer service booth. Each station is equipped with a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) ticketing machine.
BUS- You can use your Octopus Card. Just swipe it. Or you also can pay in cash. Just make sure you have the exact amount though as they don’t give change.
TAXI/CAB- We didn’t take a cab. So I don’t have any tips to share.

OTHERS
- When buying for bottled water, get Bonaqua in 7/11 stores sold for 4HKD, 12HKD and 16HKD depending on the size. Other brands are quite expensive for a bottled water.
- If you’re used to eat in an authentic chinese restos, then you wouldn’t mind eating elasewhere as there are a lot of big and small chinese restos in every corner. Mura ang tinda nila. But if you’re not used to it, because you find the smell (I can’t describe it), there are Mcdonalds and KFC almost everywhere, oh and Yoshinoya too, where you can get a rice bowl for as low as 16-17 HKD with drinks.
- To get good exchange rate, go to Wing Hoi Money Changer in TST. Address: Ground flr, Mirador Mansion Nathan Rd. TST Kowloon.

District Breakdown (Courtesy of pinoyexchange HK forum)

Tsim Sha Tsui
Avenue of Stars
Harbour City Shopping Complex (with Toys ‘R Us)
Park Lane Shoppers’ Boulevard
Canton Road / Nathan Road / Granville Area
Knutsford Terraces
The Peninsula

Mongkok
Langham Place (Mall)
Ladies Market
Sai Yeung Choi Street
Temple Street Night Market

Central
The Peak
Mid-Level Escalators
Maxim’s Palace City Hall Dimsum Restaurant
IFC Shopping Mall / Pacific Place Shopping Mall
Lan Kwai Fong (Bars and nightlife)
City Hall

Causeway Bay
Times Square Mall
Sogo
and a whole lot more of shopping and things to see

Lantau Island
Disneyland
Ngong Pin Village
Citygate Outlets

Where to Buy Digital Cameras

1. Kam Fai Electronics, Mody Road (Nathan Side), Tsim Sha Tsui
2. Suntek Electronics, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
3. Wing Shing or Man Shing in Mongkok

Where to Buy Computer Related Electronics

1. Golden Computer Arcade, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
2. Wan Chai Computer Center, Wanchai, HK Island
3. Mongkok Computer Center

Budget: 3N/4D
Airfare- Cebupac zerofare RT- P5,+++
YMCA 3 star Hotel- P8,+++
Transpo (Octopus Card)- P1,+++
Food- P2,+++
Disney-P2+++
Ocean Park- P2+++
Shopping- P5,+++
Incidentals- P3,+++
NOTE: 20K per person okay na. May shopping na na kasama yan.