There was a bit of a story for this trip. I have had a tough time at work for the past months and desperately needed some recharging. So, what would be an enjoyable but short trip, where I could de-stress a bit. (Mind you, my idea of de-stressing involves a lot of eating and sightseeing).
Groupon had an offer for a 5 night in Hong Kong for A$700 for 2 people, including 2 Disneyland tickets. I had a choice of this and another offer to Bali for 5 nights for slightly cheaper. Since neither me & my 1/2heart had ever been to Hong Kong, off we went to the land of good food, chaotic roads, and beckoning shops asking you to splurge your hard-earned money at.
(My father was slightly against us travelling all the time and would much prefer us popping out off-springs first, then travel later when we are done with our 'duties'. My brain and mental condition could not simply wait that long)
Day 1 - dinner
We arrived in Hong Kong noon time. I quickly booked for our first dinner at Peking Garden for some of their famous peking duck. May I just remind that this restaurant is really famous and it is highly recommended that you book for your table, especially on the weekends. Although we preferred an earlier meal time (we were very famished from airline food), they could only accommodate us for 8 p.m. booking, since they were full.
I forgot to snap a picture of the full duck when the waiter brought it to our table *facepalm*. But this was the cut, we received two full plates of these: (along with a stack of pancake rolls to eat the duck with)
May I just say, after devouring two full plates of that, we both swore we don't want to see another duck for at least 6 months. Nevertheless, it was one juicy duck with perfectly crisp skin. There was hardly chunky amount of fat underneath, so easy to eat with the pancakes provided.
We also ordered shark fin's soup and some mix vegetable. Nothing to shout about them. After all, you would come here for the almighty duck.
Peking Garden
Star House 3rd floor.
3 Salisbury Rd. Tsim Sha Tsui
+852 2735 8211
Day 2 - Breakfast
We managed to wake up pretty early to get some money exchanged at Chung King Mansion. I do not really like the environment, neither does 1/2heart. If you are mainly staying in the kowloon peninsula, I guess there is not much choice. But if you manage to go to Hong Kong Island and ever need to get some foreign exchange, may I suggest to go here (their rate is as good if not better):
Berlin Company Exchange Ltd
Room 1703 Chinese Bank Bldg
61-65 Des Voeux Rd, Central
Then off we went to Yau Ma Tei for some breakfast at Ocean Empire. Beautiful congee, char leong (rice roll with fried dough), and loh ma kai (glutinous rice):
Ocean Empire (Yau Ma Tei branch)
G/F 497A Nathan Rd, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon
(they have a lot of branches throughout Hong Kong, check this out)
Day 2 - Disneyland
Please please please, do yourself a favor if you plan to go here and buy yourself a bottled water. The water sold in the theme park is at exorbitant value, and they don't taste any better than the ones you buy at 7/11.
Take MTR Tung Chung line, alight at Sunny Bay, and take the Disneyland Resort line.
We arrived at around 11.30 a.m. (they open at 10), and was gobsmacked at the amount of people at the theme park. I mean, it was Monday, for God's sake. I couldnot imagine what it would be like on the weekend.
Although I must say the Disney theme parks (the DisneyLand and DisneySea) in Japan are much bigger (and therefore, much more attractions and better in my opinion), Hong Kong Disneyland fares quite well. Their attractions and performances were all interesting and professional. 1/2heart was impressed with the Lion King live theatrical performance, and I simply adored Stitch encounter.
Not to mention, it was Christmas, so the vibrant red & green decorations were everywhere, and the Sleeping Beauty castle was illuminated gorgeously.
Being glutton that we are, we managed to squeeze in some NomsNoms:
Cheesecake combo @ Corner Cafe, Main Street USA, Disneyland
Parade:
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