Hong Kong 2017 | Summer break

I’ve read somewhere that family vacations are “happiness anchors” for kids until they grow up, banking on treasured memories and bonding moments. Instead of spending so much on gadgets and expensive toys and since March was a month of so many celebrations (Joaquin’s birthday, his and Miguel’s transition to 7th grade and Juancho’s moving up from toddler class), we decided to take the kids out for a treat. So Oceanpark and Disneyland it is.

Day 1 | Take off

Early flight to Manila and the kids were very much behaved, thank you. Got our Rame Nagi fix and free donuts because the light was on.

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Left Manila for HK around 5ish in the afternoon (flight was delayed), took the A21 bus to Mongkok, met with the AirBnb person and had late dinner nearby.

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Touchdown! Kids seem happy (lol).

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Day 2 | Ocean Park

Early start and noodle breakfast.

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There’s a train line going directly to Ocean Park and Disneyland, how convenient.

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Curious little kids.

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My little adventurero 🙂

Kids’ new friends.

Transferring to watch the Dolphin and Seal show, picturesque view from the cable car.

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And the big kids off to go on the big kids’ rides.

This view to cap off the whole day event. It was overwhelming to see the kids have so much fun.

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Victoria Peak

We headed to Victoria Peak after to catch the sunset and well, was in for a surprise.

No we did not take the tram because the line was like 10 years long. We took a taxi instead and it was much cheaper, $49HKD vs. $88HKD and more than an hour of waiting to board the tram.

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Entrance to the Sky tower costs $32HKD, kids half the price. Can’t really remember (haha).

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It was a case of expectation vs. reality. The place was overly crowded.

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On the way down the sky tower, there was an area where you could take 3D photos. This was not the Trick Eye Museum, the museum was on the other side and had a $100HKD entrance. This one was for free.

Day 3 | Disneyland

Off to the happiest place on earth!

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Cinderella’s Castle

Pretty flowers all around!

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Choochoo train that takes you on a tour around Disneyland.

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Everything is exaggeratedly overpriced in Disneyland (rice costs $18HKD!) but when Juancho passed by a souvenir shop with the entrance displaying Tsum Tsum toys and was like super excited when he saw it, well, I just couldn’t break his heart.

And his reaction? Well, there are just some things money couldn’t buy.

I find that Disneyland is more for small kids, the rides and attractions in general, although the older kids (including us) did enjoy the experience.

Day 4 | Free day

Harbour City

Roamed around Tsim sha tsui, shopped a bit and lunched on some Canton Dim Sum Expert chicken and pork buns. The siomai was also good but no photos because it was gone in an instant.

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Caught up with my friend Reg and treated us to some Korean dinner. Thanks Reggie! My treat in June (haha).

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Mongkok

The place where we were staying was right where Ladies Market is and just around the corner was sneaker street. So, off we went to hunt for some cheap shoes and buy some pasalubongs before they close. Some stores close round 11pm.

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Street food…street food…street food!

Day 5 | Homebound

Flying all day, tiring week but with the wide smiles on the kids’ faces and the endless laughter makes it all worth it.

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Flowers at the airport

Goodbye Hong Kong!

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Hello Manila!

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and hello Bacolod! Home finally!

Starting a new family tradition. Til the next summer trip!

Oh, by the way, we got our Disney and Ocean Park tickets on Klook. They sell much cheaper than the tickets sold on the official sites and when you get to the park, you don’t have to wait in line.

 

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