Hong Kong Trip 2005

My daughter was 7 when we visited Disneyland in Hong Kong. If my memory serves me right, Disneyland opened few weeks earlier. It was our 7th birthday gift to her albeit very late. We wanted her to experience the happiest place on earth - Disneyland. Also, it was our first time to set foot in the place where I never knew I would visit one day. Although I aimed to visit Disneyland in Anaheim when I was just a kid, I am just as happy to be able to see Disneyland, the Asian version of course.

We flew in via Cathay Pacific using our ZED fare tickets. That means our tickets were not priority and we would be able to get seats if the flight was wide open. We thought November shouldn't be a problem and thank goodness we were given seats right away.

The flight was around 7 hours long but by then, we were all used to the long-haul flights. Also, my daugther loves traveling so we never had issues of her throwing tantrums during long-haul flights. And this would be one of her many long-haul flights later on.

We arrived in Hong Kong in the afternoon, around 3 p.m maybe. The immigration line was not too long so we just breezed through it. We collected our bags from the carousel and bought airport express train tickets to take us from the airport to the Kowloon side where we booked our hotel. The train express had only 2 stops then. I am not sure now since I haven't visited Hong Kong yet after 2005. The first stop was in Hong Kong side and the last one was in Kowloon. Back then, I didn't know that we could take a free shuttle ride from the train station to our hotel. So, we took a cab and was surprised to know that the hotel was just 2 blocks away which the taxi driver missed to inform us. The train ride was barely half an hour ride and the taxi drive was mere 5 minutes from the train station.

I booked our hotel in Mongkok/Yau Ma Tei area because it was cheaper than to stay nearer the Disneyland area. Besides, we want to visit nearby places on our own so we could save money. The Dorset Seaview in Mongkok is only a 3-star property. Here's a tip, you don't need a lavish hotel accommodation when you intend to go around town on tours. Save your money and just stay in a reasonably-priced hotel like a 3-star property.

The hotel was small for the 3 of us. I won't recommend it to families who are traveling more than 3 in a group. The place was clean though and have basic amenities which I think would be enough. It was very near the night market in Temple Street. A 7-11 was also nearby and other fastfood chains and small groceries. Behind the hotel were local eateries too.

Day 1 was the whole afternoon and evening after we arrived. We went to see the light show in the harbor. Then we went back to Tsim Tsa Tsui to check on the boutiques and bought some nice souvenirs from the nearby small shops.

Day 2 in Hong Kong was spent in Disneyland for the whole day. We missed the fireworks because my daughter was already tired so we left before the Disney train shuttling back to Sunny Bay got crowded. We had a nice dinner in one of the American restaurant along Tsim Tsa Tsui and headed back to our hotel for a good night cap.

Day 3 was our last day there. The night before we left, we went to the Peak and Galleria. Madame Tussaud was not yet opened when we visited and there were some renovations going on in the Peak. We strolled around and went home.

Here are some snaps of out trip to Hong Kong. Enjoy your viewing!