It was Jim and my first time visiting Hong Kong and we know nothing about the place. I've started to do my research on places to visit and dine at around 2 months before the trip? I did that when I have nothing much to do at work. hehe!
Air Tickets
I got them from Tigerair because I feel that they always offer the cheapest air ticket prices across the other budget airlines (E.g Jetstar, Scoot). Website was easy to navigate and I managed to book my tickets within 15 minutes?
Please bear in mind to monitor the prices for at least a week or 2 before deciding to book your tickets because there is always promotions going on, and the prices varies every day!
TIP: I did not have any baggage checked-in for our flight there, there is no need to spend that money. If you're afraid that you will do some shopping and thinks that your hand-carry luggage may not be able to accommodate, bring a fold-able hand-carry bag for the extra space. Use that as your hand-carry for your flight back while you check-in your hand-carry luggage :)
Accommodation
As I have mentioned before, I've booked Airbnb for our Hong Kong trip and it was our first time trying it out. To be honest, I got worried right after I booked it because Jim told me that the owner(s) may have a spare key themselves. They may barge in as and when they feel like, it is their property anyways (which makes sense). Besides, the security level may not be as high as hotels?
Actually all was good until the time when we arrived at the place. We did not expect it to be located at a quiet area because the owner did not state the name of the building for me to search the exact location from Google map, and neither did he post any pictures of the alley/ area around the apartment. His listing only shows the pictures of the rooms, and they looked pretty decent.
My trip was from 10 to 15 August but I was only able to book the apartment that we wanted on the 11th. So he privately arranged another room, which was one floor above the supposed booking, for a night and told us to move to the booked room the next morning. Since the rooms are almost the same, I accepted his offer.
However, when it reaches the night, problems started rising. That was when the toilet bowl started to clog and we managed to unclog it after half an hour, the aircon wasn't really working because we were almost sweating when we've set the temperature to 16 Degree Celsius, the wifi wasn't working, pillows were so flat I felt so uncomfortable, and Jim felt unsafe because of the quiet area/ sometimes absent or sleeping security guard who was located at the ground floor.
So we started to look for another place, a legit hotel, after experiencing such a terrible treatment on the first night. For the first time, I've failed to get us a comfortable and safe place to stay for out trip. From all my experiences with booking accommodations, there were never a mistake because I make sure I do my research properly before booking. In fact, the previous accommodations always exceed our expectation upon our arrival. We didn't sleep well that night.
After much hassle, we got Airbnb team to be involved and I got a refund from them. I couldn't be more thankful for the team who puts me as a priority. I really appreciate their prompt responses and empathy towards their users, like me. I would highly recommend any one to try them out if you have not. I think I was just unlucky and I should have been more careful before I book my accommodation.
TIP: Do search up the area thoroughly before you book any accommodation, do not be deceived by their pictures.
The hotel we then moved in the next morning was Dorsett Mongkok. It was Fan-ta-bu-lous!!! I thought, maybe because we had such a terrible night, anything else feels better, but it was not! The staffs were on the ball, services were great, they loan out their umbrellas to their guests with a small amount of deposit, which will be returned after you have returned the umbrella back to them. Best of all, they provide each room with a FREE PHONE! with data usage and you can make unlimited local/international calls! where got such thing one?! We more like we are on a holiday, much safer, more comfortable and more relax :) I couldn't be happier and luckier with Jim around, if not I cannot imagine how will I be able to endure that place for the rest of the trip.
Dine
Kam Wah Cafe
The first Chaa Chan Teng we visited, and it was SO DAMN GOOD!!! Especially the Pineapple Bun! It was baked, so it's kinda crispy on the outside and soft in the inside! I had their Gong Zai Macaroni too, not bad! We wanted to try their mouthwatering beef sandwich because it looks so yummy when we saw the group of 3 eating it beside us, but our stomachs have no more space for it :( Jim ordered some fried rice and the portion was really value for money!
Tim Ho Wan
I regretted not ordering more of the Baked BBQ Pork Bun after I heard Thaijin said she order 3 sets (1 sets has 3 of them) when she was there! :( I haven't tried the outlet in Singapore though. I hope it's not much of a difference. Only recommend the Baked BBQ Pork Bun, nothing else. haha!
Federal Palace
It is a Dim Sum Restaurant at CityGate Outlet! Nice ambience and value for money! It's like some high end restaurant but for the amount we have ordered, it's around $20+ for 2 pax?
Australian Dairy Company
Went on a Thursday but they rest for that day of the week, lucky we still have Friday morning! haha. There was a queue when we were there at around 10am? I don't remember seeing any waitress, all who were working in there are guys. They work at a really fast paced environment, I think that explains why they are all so hot tempered. We were so stress while thinking of what to eat so I asked for help from a Hong Kong lady, whom we were sitting on the same table with, for help. She helped us to order the Gong zai Macaroni, milk tea, and some toast. After that we met a really nice mom and daughter (from Shanghai) who shared our table after that Hong Kong lady left. They recommended us the egg-white milk pudding (hot) and we only ate a few mouths of it. The egg white taste was too strong for us, we should have tried the chilled one instead. Overall it was meh~.
Sun Kee Cheese Noodles
Jim and I walked really long, with an empty stomach to find this place. I was so looking forward to trying it out, especially because I was extremely hungry and it was highly recommended. BUT the shop has closed down!!!! OMG SO DISAPPOINTED!!! In the end, we had Yoshinoya instead. :'(
This place serves really yummy Mango desserts! & If you love to eat chewy stuff, go ahead and try their Mango dessert with Glutinous Rice Balls! I am a fan of Glutinous Rice Balls and I know that Singapore has one dessert stall in Plaza Singapura that sells desserts with it too! :D They have many outlets in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, can easily search them up! :)
許留山Hui Lau Shan
This place serves really yummy Mango desserts! & If you love to eat chewy stuff, go ahead and try their Mango dessert with Glutinous Rice Balls! I am a fan of Glutinous Rice Balls and I know that Singapore has one dessert stall in Plaza Singapura that sells desserts with it too! :D They have many outlets in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, can easily search them up! :)
Attractions / Shopping
Disneyland
I went to the so called happiest and magical place on my actual birthdate but it was quite sad because it rained the entire day! I didn't enjoy myself to the fullest. No parade, only saw like 1 or 2 not so popular mascot so I didn't bother, can't take most of the rides due to the rain.
To make us feel slightly better, we treated ourselves with an expensive meal. Jim asked if they have a birthday meal special, then that is when the waitress told us that I can get a Birthday Pin from the customer service, and any staff who sees it will wish me a "Happy Birthday". But it was towards the end of the day already :/ At the very least, the service staff from the restaurant sang me a birthday song and presented a Birthday Sundae to me. I got the Birthday Pin after our dinner and guess what? For the rest of the few hours left in the park, only ONE staff gave me a birthday wish. I know it isn't a big deal and I shouldn't kick a big fuss about it. But for me, I am a person who treats birthdays very seriously. I've noticed some of them who saw my pin but tries to walk away or pretend that they didn't see it. Even when I pay my buys at the cashier, no wishes from her.
I am actually very disappointed with this treatment from them and I will NEVER EVER go back to Hong Kong Disneyland again! >:(
Avenue of Stars
Nothing special. Maybe if the weather is good, you'll get a better view of the skyline of Hong Kong Island.
Ladies Market / Temple Street Night Market
You can find some souvenirs there. I got Luggage Tags for my friends and managed to haggle for a cheaper price! I also got some really nice bead bracelets too. It's just like any other souvenir shops in Chinatown, or should I say that the stuffs they sell are similar to what you see in Chinatown market.
Argyle Mall
To me shopping is not very worth it in Hong Kong. I've spent mainly on food when I was there, nothing much to buy in terms of apparels, as compared to Bangkok. Maybe shoes and bags are fine? Their fashion style doesn't suit me and the prices that they are selling are similar to Singapore's price or more. So I have saved the shopping money for Bangkok, hehe!
CityGate Outlet
I've bought 2 Adidas top for around SGD50? Cheap right?! haha! That is my proudest buy because I got it at the Adidas Outlet in CityGate! There are other brands too, can walk around to see if anything catches your eye :)
Overall my trip wasn't that pleasant but I am glad that I have went through it with Jim and now we know that we will not return to this place after a long time. I shall not elaborate about their people and culture, because it's just for me to know and for you to find out when you visit Hong Kong.
P.S. Sorry for the wordy post, will find a chance to post up the pictures soon!
xx
P.S. Sorry for the wordy post, will find a chance to post up the pictures soon!
xx
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