Saturday, 190708
Cloudy
We met at 1pm and head for Changi International Airport Terminal 3. We walked around terminal 3 a little before going to the boarding gate. By the time we are at the boarding gate, it was for us to board the plane. Shortly after takeoff, we met with some turbulence. That was the probably the only unpleasant thing on the flight to Hong Kong. About 7:30pm, we were at Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 1. Queued to clear the custom and headed to the baggage belt. Two out of our three check-in luggage were collected quickly. We stood there waiting for the third check-in item which was a box. It was until later that we were told that the boxes are being removed from the belt and placed on the floor.
As we walked out of the restricted area, we saw darling’s auntie (小姨). During our one week stay in Hong Kong, we will be put up at her place. Took a cab to her apartment and left our luggage there. Then the three of us went out to Causeway Bay for dinner at Yan Xi. By the time we are done with dinner it is already 10pm. When we are back at the apartment, all of us bathe and rest for the night.
Sunday, 200708
Sunny
After we woke up at about 9:30am, darling’s小姨called their 舅舅and 舅公, who have been living in Hong Kong for many years, to meet up with them. Appointment was made for yam cha. Before that, we went to the supermarket, Park and Shop, nearby for some shopping. Then we went back to the apartment to keep the stuffs before taking the shuttle bus to Hung Hom to pick their relatives back to view the apartment. However, there were not enough space on the shuttle bus all three of us. So darling and I stayed in the apartment while waiting for them to come back.
In the end, they decide to have yam cha at Metropolis which is just located at Hung Hom station. After yam cha, darling’s 小姨，舅舅, darling and I went to Mong Kok Computer Centre to source for a desktop for darling’s 小姨. Along the way, darling was also keeping an eye out for his camera accessories. In the end, he bought a flash at HKD 2,030.00. It was S$100.00 cheaper than if darling was to buy the same flash in Singapore. We spent the whole afternoon in Mong Kok.
Later that night, we met with darling’s 舅公and 舅母 for dinner at their place in Tai Po. Took a train to Tai Po Market station and followed by a taxi to their house. Stayed for few hours, by the time we left their place, it was close to 11pm. That night, darling and I slept at about 1:30am.
Monday, 210708
Sunny
Two of us, darling and I, went to Tsim Sha Tsui for brunch before going to Disneyland. We had brunch at a 茶餐厅and ordered a bowl of 云吞面and a plate of 牛肉河粉. After brunch, we changed a few trains to get to Disneyland. We took some pictures at the station and the area before we enter the park proper.
First, we went to the shops at Main Street to look for things that we want and can buy at a later time as we do not want to carry all our shopping around while playing. After that, we waited to catch the parade before going to the attractions. We wait at the area in front of the castle. After the parade is over, we went to Adventure Land followed by Fantasy Land and the last area was Adventure Land.
By the time we were done with the attractions we wanted to go and photograph sessions with the Disney characters, it was almost time to get ready for the fireworks. At about 8:45pm, it seems like the whole population of the entire park is packed into the area in front of the castle and along the Main Street.
After fireworks was to hang around a little more for the impatient people to rush out of the park, before we make our way back to the shops on Main Street and to develop some of our photographs taken by the cast member.
It was an extremely fun day, with the exception of the PRC who were pushing everyone around and talking as if they were miles apart. Anyway, those were just some unhappy issues about our day, otherwise, it was a totally fun day.
Tuesday, 220708
Sunny
It was decided that we will go to Citygates today so we took the train to Chung Tung Station. Brunch was settled at pizza hut. The portion is huge and we can’t finish everything so we take-away the rest. Shopping time!
First stop: Nike. But we came out of it empty handed
Second stop: Adidas. I wanted to get a jacket, but then wrong season. So, nothing was bought again.
Third stop: Quick Silver and Roxy. There, I got myself a demin skirt and a top. Darling got a top for himself.
Fourth stop: Esprit Outlet. I cannot seem to find something nice in there for me to buy. In the end, it was darling’s shopping again - one top for his niece and another for his nephew.
After that, we gave up shopping. I haven’t been getting my stuffs. As usual, I spend more on food. Then we left citygates for Avenue of Stars as we wanted to catch the Symphony of Lights. We were earlier, so had time to walk around to take pictures first. About dinner time, darling’s小姨 called. She wanted to have dinner with us. So we make our way to Hong Kong Island to meet her and decide to have Symphony of Lights another day.
Wednesday, 230708
Sunny
Today is the day for Ocean Park. We went to exchange square to take a bus to Ocean Park. Tickets were bought once we are there and we waste no time. After entering the park from the lowland entrance we wanted to take the cable car up to the headland park, but the queue for the cable car is such a turn off. In the end, we decide to take the shuttle bus to the headland instead. So, we went around the lowland park first - Panda’s habitat.
Then when we were at the headland entrance, we realized that we need to take the long and rather steep escalators to the park itself. Along the way, the view of the water and bay was really beautiful. So in the end, we spend the whole afternoon there, watching shows and taking the rides. On our way back to the lowland of the Ocean Park, we took the cable car down. During the time spent there, both of us bought some drink. One of was a ice ball with cocktail fruits and syrup. It is definite a perfect drink for such a sunny day.
By the time we left Ocean Park, it was still rather early and we decide that we will take a short trip to Stanley Market. Had a little walk there with darling and took more pictures. Then we decide that we will take a bus ride back to Tsim Sha Tsui. The bus journey took almost 90 minutes. When we arrived in Tsim Sha Tsui, we decide that we were still able to catch the Symphony of Lights.
Symphony of Lights comprises five major themes, taking spectators on a unique journey celebrating the energy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong:
The first scene "Awakening" begins with flashes of laser lights that give life to a nucleus of light-energy which gradually illuminates participating buildings using an array of dancing lights and rainbow colour. This scene symbolizes the genesis and powerful growth of Hong Kong.
The second scene "Energy" is represented by the display of rising colour patterns and the sweeping of the lasers and searchlights energetically across the night sky, signifying the vibrant energy of Hong Kong.
In the third scene "Heritage", traditional lucky red and gold colours are displayed across buildings on both sides of the Harbour, complemented by the introduction of music using Chinese musical instruments, symbolizing Hong Kong's colourful heritage and rich cultural traditions.
The fourth scene "Partnership" features a display of laser beams and sweeping searchlights scanning across the Harbour, representing an illuminated connection with the opposite side. Beams reach out to symbolically connect the two sides of the Harbour into one greater and unified partnership.
The finale "Celebration" brings out a powerful rhythmic display of swirling, kaleidoscopic patterns of lights and beams dancing lively across the Harbour. The exciting final scene signifies the celebration of the close partnership between the two sides of the Harbour and represents an even brighter future for Asia's world city - Hong Kong.
After watching the show, we took the shuttle bus back to darling’s小姨 apartment. We took dinner and slack around in the apartment.
Thursday, 240708
Shopping time! Yes, we spent the whole afternoon shopping. We walked from Tsim Sha Tsui to Mong Kok along Nathan Road. When we see shops that interest us, we just walked in. Both of us had lunch at Yoshinoya. Singapore is really so expensive in terms of transportation, food and shopping. A long walk but I believe darling did have as much fun as I did.
After we shopped, we returned to the apartment to put down our shopping stuff and headed for the MTR station and took a train ride to Central Station. This is because the next stop on our itinerary was The Peak. We walked from Central Station to the Peak Tram Station. By the time we are at the Tram Station, the queue for the tram was really long. We joined the queue and were soon on our way to the Peak. Spend lots of time at the peak taking pictures of the area. The air there was relatively cooler and it was really breezy.
Dinner was at Delifrance at the Peak before taking the Tram back down and slowly we made our way back to the apartment which we called home for the week.
love,shir
