Snippets of a Hong Kong Holiday

When schools close for summer, our little tot turns our house into one big chaotic mess. Fussing for TV, ipads and games goes endless. The only fix is to haul them outdoors. With a short time to prepare, Hong Kong suited us best for a quick getaway. Their visa on arrival options plus family friendly tours made bookings pretty easier. Skim down for a few more details about the trip and hope it helps with your plans.

About the city:

Hong Kong is 'Asia's World city' and is famous for two things. One is its natural harbour, very deep with lovely beaches and you see it everywhere once you step out. The other is the crowds, lots of people, both tourists and residents throng the streets. And the buildings are also high-rise clusters, very expensive. Even buying a mini 180 sq.ft the size of your parking lot costs a whopping 4 million HKD. So prepare to expect only a bed and a luggage space for your stay.

A brief history:

This island had been a British crown colony and was invaded by the Japanese during the II world war. After resumption, the Britain officially handed over the city to PRC China in 1997. And so long it has been treated as a special administrative region(SAR) with its own autonomy.  Even now, you can find many places bearing the victorian semblance like the Victoria harbour, Kennedy town, Aberdeen village and Stanley. And if you are a non-Chinese, don't worry there is an English description for each and everything.

Time for fun:

Moving around is easy if you have an octopus card, available at any nearest MTR( Mass Transit railway). You can use it at 7-elevens, trains, buses and in other stores too. Although there are guided tours, public transport can also get you to the popular destinations.
The weather is mostly sunny with occasional rains. Better include an umbrella, hats and shades to your kit. Despite having our gear, we still ended up like a fully roasted duck.

Must-see attractions:

• Bauhinia square: The square holds the golden statue of their emblem, bauhinia flower. Nothing much other than that it's a good backdrop for pictures.
• Aberdeen fishing village: Take a merry trip around the fishing village in the Sampan, the ride costs only 60 bucks. The air and waters smell of fish, but you can catch glimpses of live fishing, private yachts and the big Jumbo floating restaurant.
• Victoria Peak: They call it the Mid-levels, occupied by the riches and famous.  There is a Peak tram and a Sky terrace at the Peak Tower, both for a scenic view and nice clicks. Just say cheese all the way:)

• Tian Tan Buddha: A cable car can easily take you here, otherwise it is a tedious bus travel up the hill. The BIG bronze statue of Buddha looks charming in the outdoors. Did I say there are 268 steps that will leave you breathless when you reach the top?Whew. You won't regret it anyway, totally worth it! But choose your timing properly, noons are very hot and they close early. 
• Avenue of stars: I have heard Hong kong movies are very popular, yet to watch them. This attraction has the handprints of their actors, a Bruce lee statue and few more. Go for a lazy evening stroll and it's good to watch the 'Symphony of lights' from here.
• Ladies market: This place houses around 100 stalls and famous for its low priced stuff mostly clothing, souvenirs and accessories. As there is no service tax, feel free to haggle to your heart's content. The Temple street night market is also popular but opens only after dusk.
• Repulse Bay: Hong kong is famous for its long coastline and has many bays and  beaches. The most famous and beautiful is the Repulse bay with a crescent-shaped stretch of sand. There is a traditional Chinese temple nearby. 

Kids corner:

Fun for kids? Of course, it's the Disneyland.  One full day from opening at 10 AM till they finish off with the fireworks, your kids will be truly happy. And for the adults, rides like 'Space Mountain', 'Mine cars' and 'Mystic manor' might be a little exciting amidst all the cartoon craziness. Caution: The gift shops outnumber the fun rides and all your wallets are at risk.

Another theme park is the Ocean park which hosts dolphin shows, panda exhibit and aquariums. Ticket rates are okay. The bigger kids will enjoy the roller coaster and the Abyss. Keep your energy levels up as wandering these parks will wear you out before you take the rides.

Budgets and Foods:

A decent meal costs a minimum 60 HKD per person and around 200-300 HKD in star rated restaurants. If you are a foodie, don't miss the Hong Kong special yummy dimsum buffets. Because the city is a fusion of the west and east, you won't miss your favourites like Starbucks, Subway, McDonalds for quick bites. Want to cut back calories and costs? Just grab some ready to eat rice or noodles with curry sauce. All the departmental stores stock them and offer microwaving options too.

For Shopping, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and few more malls can get you the luxury brands and chic-boutique apparels. Comparing the outside prices, there is not much of a difference although.

Overall, It was a good trip. You can go once and navigate without trouble. And I hope my narration is useful in some way.
Thank you for reading!