Hong Kong Series: Hong Kong Disneyland!

Is there such a thing as too old for Disneyland? 

I hope not! Celebrating my 23rd in Disneyland Hong Kong

I celebrated my 23rd birthday on the themed streets of Disneyland Hong Kong. I do not know if it had something o do with my birthday, but albeit smaller, I found Disneyland Hong Kong no less magical than its Western counterparts.

The ride to Disneyland was a Mickey Mouse-inspired train. Like any other teaser, it was tastefully made to excite you for what's to come. From the classic Mickey-shaped windows and handrails to the plush, velvet sofas, the ride was an integral part of the Disney experience that one should not miss.

It was my first time to celebrate my birthday away from home, and I kind of felt sad sentimental at first. Once I got to the resort however, I totally forgot about being a total cheeseball. It wasn't my first time to visit a Disney themed park, but all three occasions still felt like a first. 

Disneyland is divided into four themed lands: Main Street USA, AdventureLand, TomorrowLand and Fantasyland. At the entrance, the boyfriend and I grabbed a copy of the park map and sat on a nearby bench to plan the day so as to accommodate ALL shows and attractions. Yes, I was  that relentless! The park is really small and missing something is close to sinning against yourself for hard earned money not well spent.

These tickets are 350 HKD each, but I got them cheaper!

Hong Kong Series: Tips for Travelers

I am not a fan of package tours. As much as I can, I like to arrange things for myself whenever I travel. Researching, making my own itinerary and staying well within my budget are some of the things that make traveling the awesome adventure that it is!

We left for Hong Kong in the morning of July 4 via Cebu Pacific. We did not have much sleep because we had to wake up at around 3:30 AM to get to the airport in time for our flight.

Looking like a seasoned traveler at NAIA.

No time to put on make up! Pale, but definitely happy.

Tip: For international flights, be at the airport 2-3 hours prior to your time of departure. If you booked a flight online, make sure to pay your travel tax first (Php 1620 or around $36) before lining up to have your baggage checked in. Do check TSA's website for the list of prohibited items and for rules regarding liquids in your carry-on bags. Also prepare the amount of Php 750 or ($ 16) for your terminal fee.

Our flight was smooth and we got to the Hong Kong International Airport earlier than our expected time of arrival. It is easy to navigate your way around the airport. All signs are bilingual and the system is very efficient. There are maps and brochures everywhere that you can get for free. From the airport, you can either take a taxi, ride the airport express or climb on a bus to the city.

Photo courtesy of google images

Tip:  You have to give the exact amount when paying fares. For your convenience, buy an octopus card for a minimum initial amount of HKD 150. The HKD 100 is consumable and the remaining value (minus HKD 7) will be refunded once you return the card prior to your departure from Hong Kong. The octopus card can also be used in some stores and food establishments such as McDonald's and KFC. It can be reloaded at MTR stations and 7-11 convenience stores. If you are not in a hurry, the cheapest way to get to the city from the airport is through the Cityflyer bus. The bus is also a nice way to see Hong Kong on your way to your hotel, hostel or guest house. You will be fine as long as you know your stop.

  

While in the Philippines, I did some research and found out that you would have greater value for money if you have your pesos exchanged for US dollars then have your US dollars exchanged for HKD when you get to Hong Kong. This, unfortunately, is not much of a good advice. If you go to a good money changer in Kowloon, exchanging your pesos directly for HKD offers greater value for money. I cannot give you assurance on this though as exchange rates vary in money changers daily. This was at least the case during our stay in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong dollars increase in size as they increase in value.

Tip:  Do not have your money changed in the airport unless you really have to. They have the worst rates ever. A good money changer in Kowloon is Wing Hoi.

WING HOI Money changer

9B, Ground Floor Mirador Arcade,

58 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon