Hong Kong for First Timers

I was anxious before our trip to Hong Kong since we haven't been out of the country and we don't know what to expect. I already have our itinerary prepared months ago and I would go into it everyday to make sure everything would come out as planned, fortunately, it did but we could've save more from our trip had I been more thorough with my research. Anyway, these are some tips and things you must know if you are planning to visit Hong Kong for the first time to make your trip easy peasy:

TIP #1

BUY A 4G SIM CARD

Yes, wifi in Hong Kong is everywhere, buses, malls, hotels, and restaurants have them but you need your own internet for when you're lost (or so you won't get lost). Use it with Waze or Google Maps and you'll surely get to your destination safe and sound. I did purchase a sim card and it's really worth it.

TIP#2

BUY AN OCTOPUS CARD

I purchased a One-way Airport Express with 72-hr unlimited MTR pass. Although it was convenient, I could have save more if I use an Octopus Card instead, plus I will have the option to take the bus. An Octopus Card is a reloadable card that you can use for cashless payment in MTRs, buses, convenience stores, and some restaurants.

TIP #3

TAKE THE AIRPORT PUBLIC BUS TO GET TO THE CITY

Taking the airport public bus is the cheapest way to get to the city plus you get to to tour around Lantau Island and Hong Kong for 60 minutes. It only costs around $33 compared to $100 when taking the Airport Express.

TIP #4

STAY IN A HOSTEL AROUND TSIM SHA TSUI

Staying around TST has more Pros than Cons. Apart from being near shopping malls, convenience stores, restaurants, and some tourist spots, you can book cheap rooms in one of the hostels in Chung King Mansions or the less-crowded Mirador Mansion along Nathan Road. Although hostels in these buildings have rooms that have just enough space for the bed, you'll still get a clean and comfortable place to sleep in.

TIP #5

BRING A WATER BOTTLE

Hostels usually have a water dispenser in their reception area where you can refill your water bottle. You will not only save hundreds of bucks by bringing your own water bottle, you will also save time because you don't need to do a stop over in convenience stores anymore.

TIP #6

GET THE BEST EXCHANGE RATE IN CHUNG KING MANSION

Another reason to stay in TST is because you can get the best FOREX rates here. Just make sure to compare first because there are still a few who offers high selling rates. I've bought a few dollars from Santi's in Makati Avenue just to be safe but had the rest of my pocket money exchanged in Chung King Mansions.

Book Piso Fare Like a Pro

Airlines like Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, Philippine Airlines, and Skyjet offer crazy deals with their promo fare frequently. During the promo period, You can get a flight for as low as P15. There was even a time that I managed to get a roundtrip flight for my friend with check in baggage for just P350 RT to Davao. But getting those cheap flights aren't easy. You should be well equipped to make the most out of those promos.

TIP 1 Follow Airline Facebook Page and set to SEE FIRST

Set the Airline Facebook page to See first so that when they post a promo announcement, you'll see it first on your feeds

TIP 2 Sign up for an account

Create an account on the airline website if you don't have one. Having an account will give you access to cheaper flights, your booking details, exclusive member only promos, plus discounted price on top of the promo.

TIP 3 Ready your companions' details

Once you have an account, enter the details of your companions on the Guests List. This is essential when booking promo fares since your goal is to get as fast as possible to the payment page. Keep in mind that during promo period, you are only allowed a specific number of minutes to reserve the seats and a slight delay might lose you those precious seats.

TIP 4 Make sure you have enough funds on your Credit Card / Debit Card

Cebu Pacific only allows online payment on the first day of promo and having a card on hand gives you the edge and enables you to secure the promo fare easily once you found it.While with Airasia, you'll be waived of processing fee (usually ranges from P250-P750) when you book with your card.

TIP 5 Use Multiple Devices to check for flights

Using multiple devices will allow you to check multiple destinations on sale at a time. This tip is efficient for those with flexible travel dates / destinations. It will also give you the option to fly in multiple cities. Why not hit two birds with one stone? if you can't find a cheap return ticket from the same city, why not consider booking from another city. Apart from getting cheaper flights, you'll get to explore more places in one vacation. This will allow you to cross out multiple places on your bucket list (or the world map). For example:

MANILA - KAOHSIUNG / TAIPEI - MANILA

MANILA - ROXAS / ILOILO - MANILA

Get the idea?

TIP 6 Be flexible with your destination

Don't spend too much time searching on just one destination. Just because the other city is not popular doesn't mean there's nothing to it. Every destination has a lot to offer you'll just have to research.

TIP 7 Book through the app

Airline Websites are usually slow during the promo due to the number of users trying to load the page at the same time so it will be better to use the app.

TIP 8 If you are booking for a large group, book by batch

Since promo fares are limited, some flight schedule might only have a few seats available. If that happens, check how many flights on the same day have available promo fares and see if those schedules can accomodate the whole group then book in batch.

TIP 9 Book on the first day of Promo

Promo fares easily sold out it's best to get first dibs so you can have a lot of options.

TIP 10 Decide Right Away

When it comes to booking promo fare, TIME IS GOLD. If you see multiple destinations on sale, decide right away. The promo fare will not wait for you. It might be gone in a few seconds so there's no time to hold back!

So there you go.. Happy Booking!

Things To Do in Hong Kong

*Spend a day in Ocean Park

Fee: HKD498 Adult / HKD249 Child

Get to see amazing animals like Pandas, Koalas, Kangaroos, Penguins and Sharks up close plus enjoy thrilling rides in Ocean Park. This is one of the best theme parks I've ever been to and a visit to Hong Kong will not be complete without spending an afternoon here. Just don't forget to bring an umbrella and a water bottle because the place requires a looooooooong walk.

*Explore Ngong Ping 360

Fee: HKD235 Adult / HKD110 Child STANDARD RT ; HKD315 Adult / HKD190 Child CRYSTAL RT

Ngong Ping is located in Lantau Island and the best way to get here is to take a 25-min cable car ride that connects Tung Chung to Ngong Ping. It will offer you the best view, just don't look down if you have fear or heights like me. Best time to visit is in the morning (they open at 10am during weekdays and at 9am during weekends) when there's still no people lined up.

*Watch the Symphony of Lights

Fee: FREE

Watching the Stunning Laser Show along Victoria Harbour is a perfect way to cap off your evening in Hong Kong. At exactly 8PM, light beams from major buildings dance to a soundtrack performed by Hong Kong's Philharmonic Orchestra. The show lasts for 10 minutes.

*Join the Crystal Bus Dinner Tour

Fee: HKD398 Upper Deck / HKD270 Lower Deck

Crystal Bus is one of the unique experiences you can try in Hong Kong. The 2.5hr tour takes you to different historical places such as The Chung King Mansions, Islamic Center, Nathan Road, and Olympian City while sitted in a bus studded with over 100,000 Swarovski crystals and enjoying a Michelin awarded Dim Sum Set Meal by One Dim Sum.

*Enjoy the 360 view of Hong Kong at Sky100

Fee: HKD188 Adult / HKD128 Child (less 10% when booked online through Sky100 website)

Go up to the 100th floor of International Commerce Center where the 360-degree Sky100 indoor observation deck is through Hong Kong's fastest high-speed elevator. Best time to visit is late in the afternoon to catch a good view of the sunset. Apart from the astonishing view, you will also get to enjoy the multimedia story wall that showcases different facts about Hong Kong. Cafe 100 is also located on the same floor and offers Brunch to Dinner menu packages for when you want to dine with the skycrapers as your backdrop.

*Shop til you drop at Citygate Outlets

Fee: depends on your CC limit :D

Head off to Citygate Outlets for that ultimate shopping experience because Where else can you buy a Nike jacket at HKD169? Getting here is also easy since it is located at the end of Tung Chung Line, right next to the Cable Car Terminal.

Our Ocean Park Experience

I scheduled our visit in Ocean Park on a Thursday since I read that it could get really crowded during weekends especially that we went there during summer vacation.

It was already 9am when our shuttle arrived and there's already a lot of people lining up to buy tickets. Since we went there on a group tour, our guide was the one who distributed our tickets and we have a special line. While on our way, our guide explained what to expect and shared with us his suggested itinerary and some tips to make the most of our visit to Ocean Park. Now, I'm sharing you the itinerary that we followed and I'd never our experience couldn't get any better.

Ocesn Park Entrance

SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT OCEAN PARK:
*Ocean Park covers an area of 91.5 hectares
*The park has two areas: The Summit and The Waterfront 

Ocean Park Map

So here's our Ocean Park itinerary:


*AMAZING ASIAN ANIMALS
We made our way to the Pandas first. This is just a few steps from the entrance.

-GIANT PANDA ADVENTURE
-PANDA VILLAGE
-GOLDFISH TREASURES
-GATOR MARSH

Ocean Express

Then, we rode the Ocean Express train to go up to the Summit. Our guide suggested that we take the train going to the Summit because the cable car line could get really long.

-OCEAN EXPRESS
(to the Summit)

*POLAR ADVENTURE
Here we get to see real penguins and boy! they're adorable..
-SOUTH POLE SPECTACULAR
-ARTIC FOX DEN
-NORTH POLE ENCOUNTER

*RAINFOREST
-EXPEDITION TRAIL

*MARINE WORLD
-OCEAN THEATRE
(to catch the 12nn show)
-SEA JELLY SPECTACULAR
-SHARK MYSTIQUE


-CABLE CAR
(to Waterfront)

*AQUA CITY
-OLD HONG KONG
-ADVENTURES IN AUSTRALIA
-THE GRAND AQUARIUM


It took us five hours to roam the whole park so we skipped on the rides.


THRIFT TIPS:
*Bring a water bottle this will save you hundreds of dollars
*Cheap food can be bought in Old Hong Kong
*Visit the park during weekdays to avoid long lines
*Bring umbrella / raincoat just in case it rains


Entrance Fee: (as of June 2019) HKD498 Adult / HKD249 Child
How to get there: take the MTR South Island Line from Admiralty to Ocean Park
Opening Hours: 10AM - 6PM

Our Hong Kong - Macau Trip Itinerary 2019

Here's our itinerary for our HK-Macau Tour last August 28-September 1:


Day 1
Dinner at Cafe Coral in Chung King Mansion



Day 2
Breakfast at Tsui Wah in Carnarvon Rd
Ocean Park
Lunch at Lan Fong Yuen in Sheung Wan
Rickshaw Bus



Day 3
Breakfast at Maxim's MX in Shun Tak Centre
Macau Tour
Lunch at Hotel Riviera
Victoria Peak
Dinner at Burger King



Day 4
Cable Car to Ngong Ping
Brunch at Ebeneezer's in Ngong Ping Village
Ngong Ping
Shopping at City Gate
Sky 100
Dinner at Six's Noodles
Crystal Bus



Day 5
Breakfast at Moon Thai in HK Airport