Hong Kong Getaway

H

ongkong Getaway

My friends are eager to go there because they want their kids to experience the magnificent 'Hongkong Disneyland'. In fact just recently, one of my FB-mom-friend asked me about accommodations because packaged tours are already fully-booked.   I tried assisting her with inputs based on what we did. This same gesture gave me the idea of putting this on paper:  the detailed accounts of how we realized our Hongkong adventure as a family.  I sincerely hope that this will render my friends and readers the purview of how to get there and consequently, have a reasonably cozy place to stay, while enjoying the imperial experience at Hong Kong (HK).

How I miss that place. It's only been like a year since we set foot on its land.  But I could still hear the voice over of MTR saying:  "please mind the gap", vividly. Oh, actually it’s my boy.  He constantly mimics this monologue (Chinese accent included). I can’t blame him.  It's a dream come true for the three of us. The first out-of-the-country vacation we had as family.  It’s a privilege of touring around the Disney, the Ocean Park, Avenue of the Stars, and post destination, Macau. It is also the same opportunity that allowed us to observe and experience different culture, deserving of respect.

Let me tell you how we did it, the three of us, exploring Hongkong: with barely a map...err, maps -around 3 of them (which we got from the tourism booth at the lobby of HK airport and one from a friend), hardcopies of research data from Google, Hotel Concierge assistance, and customer service's advice from every terminal drop off. It’s quite a handful. And don't forget, the endless WALKS: barefoot walks.

Here's what we did:

1.  Secure yourself and family members a passport. 

I gathered both mine and my son's authenticated birth certificates along with my 2 valid ID's, NBI clearance and marriage certificate prior to setting up an online appointment with DFA Pampanga.  You could check document requirements at the DFA site. Do set up an appointment while you are there. I printed out details of my scheduled date, and presented it to the guard on duty when we went to DFA for 'appearance.'  It doesn't took us very long because of their very efficient system.  Once done, you'll have to either go back or opt for a delivery of your passport, after 2 weeks or so.

2. Secure your plane tickets.  

I do not wish to promote any airline here, but we opted for Cebu Pacific because they were on very good promo at the time.  That was around December. We paid for the tickets in January. And we are set to fly May.  You have to secure plane tickets ahead of time because promos come way too early. Pay early, fly later.

3. Secure your accommodation.

We never opted for packaged tours because our minds are set to explore the place as family; open for mistakes and ready for fresh ventures.  We meant to take the adventure like the backpackers that we are. Taking advantage of the free nights of accommodation we had at the Hyatt Hotel in Sha Tin. But good friends who also travelled as family on their own , a day later than us, managed to avail a hotel room at  a reasonable rate by asking our 'kababayans' at the Hongkong airport.  As tourist-friendly as it is, Hongkong has a lot of options to offer with regards to places to stay once you get there.

4.  Do your research.

Prior to your flight, exploit the Google, sorry for the term, but that's just what I did.  I literally exhausted all the avenues and venues of research as to what places to go, the accessibility of our hotel from key destinations, what transport to avail, and where to start.  Actually, I want you to do the reverse.  Start from the last thing I've researched, then work back. Haha.

5. Do the Web Check-in.

Don't forget your flight date.  Do the online check-in at the website of your airline few days prior.  Print your check-in details for presentation to Airport Check-in Officer. There's a separate line for web check-in passengers, go there. This is beneficial because you would only go check-in an hour before your flight. Time saving, eh?

6.  All set,  food check.

The day before our departure, our early morning was spent on checking and rechecking our checklist:  clothes and undies, emergency kit, medicines, chargers, passports, visa ATM, and a few cash.  Take note of your baggage weight. Our food we bought from Marquee Mall, Angeles City. We were accommodated by my best-friend's wife, Elma, to spend the night at their place in Angeles City. We are bound to fly off from Clark Airport. Please take note, you need to have noodles, bread, milk and coffee with you. You're not yet familiar with the place where you ought to go, so better have goods ready for children's aching tummy. My good friend, Elma, cooked us rice and tocino for baon because as a frequent Hongkong flyer herself, she knows that it's best to have ready meals when you get to Hongkong.

7.  Finally, Fly.

Everything was on time. It took us only an hour to get there.  When you felt that turbulence comes very rigidly already,  then you know that Hong kong is just few minutes away. The approaching view of Hongkong is an awesomely delightful experience for first timers like us. Yipee!  

   

8.  Now, Get to the Lobby and take your maps.

I am a fan of those travelers, who skillfully make their way inside the city, with the grace of an intelligent stranger.  I went to the tourism booth at the Airport lobby, took around 3 maps and asked a lot of questions from the tourism officer stationed there.  After getting few details of how to start, I bought 3 Octopus cards, 1 for each of us and loaded them.  And remember your cash: You can have your Philippine pesos converted to Hong Kong dollars through the money exchange, right there at the airport lobby.  You need a reasonable spending capacity to go by.  Then using your loaded Octopus card, refer to your MTR map then ride to your next destination.  Every MTR stations has CUSTOMER SERVICE booths to entertain queries.  You'll never get lost.  Get those feet ready for the long walks going from one MTR station to the next...

The  BIG Challenge

I'm leaving you with this challenge: Go now, or go later.  Cable cars and The Disney Parade can wait till forever.  However, should you delay those knees may not be that strong to do the lengthy walks and bumpy rides anymore.

Or perhaps these random images are just what you need for inspiration.  Who knows, these might just catapult you to coming over. MTR voice-over is waiting, saying:"Next station...Hong Kong."