By Shannon and Lauren's Mommy:
A rare free time to myself, and what do I do? Blog our Hongkong Trip!
We had promised ourselves that we would bring the kids to Hongkong Disneyland before Shannon went to primary school. We didn;'t want to fight with the school crowds during school holidays and squeeze with everyone else, so after much debate and quick decision making, we booked a 5 Day 4Night stay in Hong Kong.
We had promised ourselves that we would bring the kids to Hongkong Disneyland before Shannon went to primary school. We didn;'t want to fight with the school crowds during school holidays and squeeze with everyone else, so after much debate and quick decision making, we booked a 5 Day 4Night stay in Hong Kong.
20th March 2011
We woke up really early to catch the 6.50am United Airline flight. To my dismay, Lauren woke up hot and feverish, what luck! We dosed her with Progesic and set off trying to find a 24hr clinic b4 heading off to the airport.
The flight was uneventful and the kids napped in the plane. For the price of a budget airline ticket, the flight was good value for money as they did dish out ample breakfast, abeit packed muffins and juice.
We reached Hongkong at about 11am, and I used my cousin, Jennifer's contact to get a cab to drive us to HK island, Harbour Grand Hotel, for only 200HK dollars.
We arrived to a clean and modern hotel and a nice room with a beautiful view of the habour. The room was smallish but there was space for a cot and and spacious writing table, plus a huge bathroom with bathtub and shower area.
We woke up really early to catch the 6.50am United Airline flight. To my dismay, Lauren woke up hot and feverish, what luck! We dosed her with Progesic and set off trying to find a 24hr clinic b4 heading off to the airport.
The flight was uneventful and the kids napped in the plane. For the price of a budget airline ticket, the flight was good value for money as they did dish out ample breakfast, abeit packed muffins and juice.
We reached Hongkong at about 11am, and I used my cousin, Jennifer's contact to get a cab to drive us to HK island, Harbour Grand Hotel, for only 200HK dollars.
We arrived to a clean and modern hotel and a nice room with a beautiful view of the habour. The room was smallish but there was space for a cot and and spacious writing table, plus a huge bathroom with bathtub and shower area.
Surreal view of HK harbour on a foggy day - beautiful!After settling down, we walked around the hotel area and got a reocmmendation from the concierge for yummy dimsum. It was super crowded but the food was good and plentiful. And of course we stuck out like a sore thumb, showing ourselves to be forgieners when we did nothing but stare at the hot pot of water and large empty ceramic bowl being plunked infront of us by the busy and abrupt waiters. Only after we helped ourselves to the chinese tea, and looking at other tables did we realised the typical Hongkonger would place the tea cups in the ceramic bowl and wash it using the piping hot water, very much what we used to do in Singapore backstreet kopitams before the National cleaning campaign kicked in..opps, dead tourist giveaway :)
We had the usual siew mao, hao gao, and of course the siew yoke, which was a very generous serving, at only SGD $6, compared to the $20 you have to pay at home.
After a heavy lunch it was a leisurely walk back to the hotel and a pleasant look at everyday life in HK. Though the weather forecast showed temperatures of 17 to 21c, and all the Hongkongers we saw wore coats, sweaters and cardigians, I perspired walking back! But we enjoyed passing a HK version of a wet market, watching the vendor selling piping hot links of chinese sausages and roast pork and vegetables. We also drooled in front of a cake shop selling mango cakes, mango mousse, mango cheesecakes and little else :) We passed by a few cafes, and automobile repair shops, and the whole street was bustling.
After a much needed nap for the girls, we left the hotel and hopped onto the hotels complimentary shuttle bus to Central to sit the Star Ferry. A short 5min on the boat, and we were at Kowloon. A ligth drizzle had started, so we just hung around the Avenue of the Stars and waited for the laser lights show to start. The show was a little disappointing and underwhelming, perhaps the foggy night didn't help but Lauren soon got bored and started asking for milk.
Girls at the Harbour Light ShowWe left the moment it ended and headed back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.
21st march 2011
Today we were going to meet my cousins Jennifer and Angie, and their hubbies, and 3 year old sons for a day out at Ocean Park. We arrived at Ocean Park about 1030am and walked the lower areas of the park first. The kids sat on the carousal and we tried to catch a glimpse of the two older gaint pandas, without avail.
Bright and HOT day at Ocean Park!
21st march 2011
Today we were going to meet my cousins Jennifer and Angie, and their hubbies, and 3 year old sons for a day out at Ocean Park. We arrived at Ocean Park about 1030am and walked the lower areas of the park first. The kids sat on the carousal and we tried to catch a glimpse of the two older gaint pandas, without avail.
Bright and HOT day at Ocean Park!We then took the cable car to the upper levels and walked around. Lunch was a simple affair at one of the cafes. Angie and I then tried the spinning wheel ride which was pretty fun. After that, we all headed to watch the Dolphin show, but when we arrived, we realised that the auditorium was already packed to the gills, with all seats taken up 1/2 hour before the show! In the end, we stood at the top, right behind the last row of seats, near the stroller parking space and the kids managed to have a good view of the stage together with me and Lauren who was strapped to me, and Angie's husband. Jennifer and Angie was pushed to the side of the left stairs and Mal and Jennifer's husband gave up and stood against the back reclining wall.
However, soon after, before the show started, things started getting ugly when huge hoards of Mainland China tourists squeezed into the auditorium and rushed down the narrow flight of stairs in a crazy bid to get a seat in the already full auditorium. Ushers tried in vain to stop them and prevent a stampede down the perilious flight of stairs but their warnings went unheeded. I saw a very old lady trying her best to cling on the the railing and her impatient lady friends, shoving and pushing other people to try to get her to move down the stairs. People started crowding on the stairs itself, blocking Shannon's and my view. In a bid to let her see at least SOME of the show, I turned and signalled to Mal to come and carry Shannon in his arms. He approached and tried to get past the crowd of middle aged tourists standing behind me. He finally managed to squeeze over to me and pick Shannon up. But when I tried my best to get OUT, the surge of ladies squeezed even closer to me, squashing Lauren who was strapped to my front. It was as if they were rushing to get a million dollars and it was close to a stampede!
That was when I snapped. Some hidden maternal instinct erupted, and I pushed back at everybody and screamed in mandarin, 'STOP PUSHING! THERE'S KIDS HERE!!' Everyboday around stopped and stared at me as if I was crazy, and honestly, at that moment, I was ready to slug and hit out at anyone who tried anything with me, I was that hopping mad, and my temper was blazing! Now, all of you who know me, know that I'm normally a calm, collected and boring person, and I am sure you would not have believed the blazing fiery hot anger that was surging through me at that time, it was as if the lioness inside me was unleashed and I was ready to kill anyone who tried anything funny with my babies, talk about maternal instinct! We left after only 20minutes into the show, disgusted by the behaviour of the tourists and decided to return to the hotel. We vowed not to return to Ocean Park for a loooonnng time.
We met up with my cousins again in the evening and went to Fook Lum Restuarant for Roast goose and dinner. It was a satisfactory meal though the whole restuarant had run out of desserts! After that it was back to the hotel to rest.
22nd March 2011
It was a really morning start for us today for dimsum at Tao Hueng, a popular HK dimsum restuarant. Luckily, Jennifer called and made reservations, so we just had to find the place. It was quite a long walk from the train station but we finally found it. The place was crowded! We had a good table at the end of the restuarant in one of the function rooms, and we proceeded to order. The food was good, especially their mix platter of roast pork, char siew, roast goose, soy chicken and jellyfish. We overate and could barely finish the meal, and guess what, the total meal for 6 adults, and 4 kids was only SGD $80!
Thereafter, we parted ways with my cousin and went back to the hotel to pack up. We left and took a taxi to Disneyland Resort and arrived at a different world. :) Everything was pristine and beautiful, it was like a mini dream kindgom. The kids sat in a little parlour with beatiful adorned stools and watched disney cartoons while we did the check-in proceedings. After that we went into the garden where Lauren and Shannon had fun in the maze and sitting on the bench posing for pictures. The view was wonderful with the sea right front of the hotel and sprawling and well-manicured gardens.
However, soon after, before the show started, things started getting ugly when huge hoards of Mainland China tourists squeezed into the auditorium and rushed down the narrow flight of stairs in a crazy bid to get a seat in the already full auditorium. Ushers tried in vain to stop them and prevent a stampede down the perilious flight of stairs but their warnings went unheeded. I saw a very old lady trying her best to cling on the the railing and her impatient lady friends, shoving and pushing other people to try to get her to move down the stairs. People started crowding on the stairs itself, blocking Shannon's and my view. In a bid to let her see at least SOME of the show, I turned and signalled to Mal to come and carry Shannon in his arms. He approached and tried to get past the crowd of middle aged tourists standing behind me. He finally managed to squeeze over to me and pick Shannon up. But when I tried my best to get OUT, the surge of ladies squeezed even closer to me, squashing Lauren who was strapped to my front. It was as if they were rushing to get a million dollars and it was close to a stampede!
That was when I snapped. Some hidden maternal instinct erupted, and I pushed back at everybody and screamed in mandarin, 'STOP PUSHING! THERE'S KIDS HERE!!' Everyboday around stopped and stared at me as if I was crazy, and honestly, at that moment, I was ready to slug and hit out at anyone who tried anything with me, I was that hopping mad, and my temper was blazing! Now, all of you who know me, know that I'm normally a calm, collected and boring person, and I am sure you would not have believed the blazing fiery hot anger that was surging through me at that time, it was as if the lioness inside me was unleashed and I was ready to kill anyone who tried anything funny with my babies, talk about maternal instinct! We left after only 20minutes into the show, disgusted by the behaviour of the tourists and decided to return to the hotel. We vowed not to return to Ocean Park for a loooonnng time.
We met up with my cousins again in the evening and went to Fook Lum Restuarant for Roast goose and dinner. It was a satisfactory meal though the whole restuarant had run out of desserts! After that it was back to the hotel to rest.
22nd March 2011
It was a really morning start for us today for dimsum at Tao Hueng, a popular HK dimsum restuarant. Luckily, Jennifer called and made reservations, so we just had to find the place. It was quite a long walk from the train station but we finally found it. The place was crowded! We had a good table at the end of the restuarant in one of the function rooms, and we proceeded to order. The food was good, especially their mix platter of roast pork, char siew, roast goose, soy chicken and jellyfish. We overate and could barely finish the meal, and guess what, the total meal for 6 adults, and 4 kids was only SGD $80!
Thereafter, we parted ways with my cousin and went back to the hotel to pack up. We left and took a taxi to Disneyland Resort and arrived at a different world. :) Everything was pristine and beautiful, it was like a mini dream kindgom. The kids sat in a little parlour with beatiful adorned stools and watched disney cartoons while we did the check-in proceedings. After that we went into the garden where Lauren and Shannon had fun in the maze and sitting on the bench posing for pictures. The view was wonderful with the sea right front of the hotel and sprawling and well-manicured gardens.
Our room was ready by 3pm and we loved the spacious and well appointed room, with mickey mouse bedroom slippers in kids sizes, and kids cups.
Shannon and Lauren took a much needed nap, and when they woke up, we left the hotel in the evening for some much needed shopping at Tung Chung because Lauren's shoe had broken whist kicking the pebbles in the maze! We took the shuttle bus to the Disneyland train station and the kids were charmed by the Mickey Mouse train ride out.
We had dinner at the Food republic food court, and then headed to the shops to find her a replacement. She settled for a pair of butterfly crocs, and Malvin and Shannon also bought a pair each since it was very reasonably priced.
On our way back, we took a short detour and walked up to the main gates of Disneyland. It was deserted at 930pm and we took the opportunity to take some photos of the kids in front of the fountain.
On our way back, we took a short detour and walked up to the main gates of Disneyland. It was deserted at 930pm and we took the opportunity to take some photos of the kids in front of the fountain.
Then it was back to the hotel for a much deserved sleep!
23rd March 2011
Today is the day! Time for a day of fun, fantasy and fireworks! The kids woke up at 8am, and Mal bought Shannon down to the hotel shop. As a surprise treat for her, Mal had allowed to let her dress in princess clothes with the works, makeup and tiara and fake long stresses of hair! He came back about 10am with a beaming and transformed Princess Shannon. :)
We headed for the Characters buffet breakfast, and was treated to a wide variety of breakfast foods, smoked salmon, cereal, japanese noodles, sushi, salads, cheeses, french toast, mickey mouse pancakes and waffles, cakes, buns, omelettes, ham, sausages, yogurt, jelly, fresh fruit, the list goes on. Sadly I didn't manage to eat much as the disney characters filed in and we got busy taking photos. First came 'hum-sup' Goofy who kept kissing Shannon and came back for repeated hugs, then Mickey, Pluto, and Daisy. Shannon loved them though Lauren was abit wary of them and wouldn't look them in the eye.
After Breakfast, it was off to Disneyland! Many people turned and smiled at Shannon's outfit, prompting Lauren to want one of her own.
We took pictures at the front and proceeded into the park for more picture taking! We took pictures with Chip and Dale, Rapzunel, the 3 princesses, Belle, Cinderalla, Aurora, Pooh Bear, Minnie Mouse n Goofy!
It was while waiting for a photography session with the 3 princesses that a cast member approached us, and invited Shannon to sit in the special VIP area reserved for little princesses for the daily parade! He adorned her with a special lanyard and tag, signifying her 'VIP' status and told us to head to the VIP sitting area at 3pm sharp for the parade. Apparantly cast members troll the park daily for little girls who put in special effort to look the part, and invite them to be part of the parade, which was something we didn't know, so the dress-up turned out to be a value-for-money treat afterall. :)
After that we took the girls to try the rides, like sitting the princess carousel, taking the Winnie the Pooh ride, which wasn't very fun (In fact Shannon and Lauren got a little scared as it was quite a dark ride!), Dumbo the flying elephant, the teacups and many others.
We then had a casual lunch, buying bread, hotdog buns and pizza at the bakery, then sitting by the cordoned off VIP area by main street to wait for the parade to start. Cast members on hand gave the little princesses cushions to sit on and a VIP pack and badge which made Shannon feel exactly like a VIP.
And the parade was great! I'm sure that what we saw was a very much scaled down version of the ones in the US or even Japan parks, but for me a first timer, it was a visual treat full of action and colour, and sound! The swan princess float stopped right in front of the VIP area and the little girsl went wild seeing Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty wave and blow kisses at them, and perform in front of them. After that, the little princesses were tugged onto the street to join in the parade and dance with the performers, and that was the highlight of the whole disneyland trip for Shannon...her dream come true, being a princess, being treated like one, and seeing 'princesses' come to life! :)
After the parade ended, we tried to sit the electric car ride but it was too packed. We then did some shopping before heading to the cafe for a early dinner. Though price was a little pricy, the food was value for money. After dinner, we hung around main street and waited for the fireworks to start. It was getting chilly and cold and the girls got a little cranky waiting, but the fireworks was worth the wait. Cherographed around the sleeping beauty castle, it was a fanastic show of light, music and colour!
We left after the show ended the returned back to the hotel in the cover of night.
24th March 2011
Our last day here in Hongkong!
We woke up ealry and packed everything neatly into our suitcases before heading out to the park for a last round of fun. We reached the park fairly early and did the rides for a 2nd and 3rd time as there wasn't much of a queue yet. We decided to give the parade a miss since we had watched it the first time the day before and decided to try the 'Small Small world' ride today. The girls LOVED it! It's basically a boat ride which goes through different sections of dolls depicting different parts of the world, all of them singing 'Its a small small world afterall' in different languages. Sounds creepy but surprisingly its a visually entertaining and colouful display with all the moving and dancing dolls... :) The girls loved it so much they demanded to go on it again and again and again, 4 times in total, and it was easy to get back on since almost everybody was at the parade!
We woke up ealry and packed everything neatly into our suitcases before heading out to the park for a last round of fun. We reached the park fairly early and did the rides for a 2nd and 3rd time as there wasn't much of a queue yet. We decided to give the parade a miss since we had watched it the first time the day before and decided to try the 'Small Small world' ride today. The girls LOVED it! It's basically a boat ride which goes through different sections of dolls depicting different parts of the world, all of them singing 'Its a small small world afterall' in different languages. Sounds creepy but surprisingly its a visually entertaining and colouful display with all the moving and dancing dolls... :) The girls loved it so much they demanded to go on it again and again and again, 4 times in total, and it was easy to get back on since almost everybody was at the parade!
After having the song 'imprinted' in my head!, we headed out to the Mad Hatter's tea cups, and and lastly shopped for presents and disney merchandise. Lauren got her coverted Minny Mouse clock and Mal acceded to Shannon's request to buy a music jewel box, so both kids came out happy... We posed for last photos outside Sleeping Beauty's castle and waved a sad goodbye to the magically Fantasy World where dreams really do come through....
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