Monday, February 4, 2013

2nd Family Trip: Hong Kong (Day 2 morning - Ocean Park)

Hong Kong: 23 - 30 January 2013

Good Morning HK, we're heading to Ocean Park!


Yummy Breakfast





Clear directions are very important for tourist!


Bought a 2-way bus tickets to Ocean park upon exiting the subway.
(HK$10.60 for an adult and HK$5.30 for kids below 3 years old)


Many tour guide are selling Ocean Park tickets once you got off from the station at a slightly cheaper rate but we did not purchase from them nor from the ticketing booth as I've got the redemption coupon from the facebook promotion. It is valid for purchase at the Ocean Park main entrance booth. My effort is paid off for the homework done before traveling and saved quite a bit as it's still cheaper then the tour guide's prices.

  
Now that we're in, photos will be required more than words. In a summary, ocean park is too big and it's not possible to visit every attraction points.
  



XXD is sleeping and hence not in the group photo, peek-a-boo!




Very neat 'flower' fish
Baby's awake!

Great to be here during CNY period








The Panda Place


Lazy panda that sleeps like a human o.0'




















The Aquarium

 
 



The Birds Show
These birds are really well trained, they flew out on their own and followed the trainer's cues without mistakes. They are allowed to fly in and out, up and down freely like a free-bird.





The Sealion Show

Every animal can be trained and performed at their best I believed. Same goes for the Sealion. It is able to spin on its own, lay down and get up as per cues that the trainer offers with the training stick.





A mammal breathe like humans, bubbles are blown through its breathes.



Merry go around and round

There are other rides that are suitable for adults but we gave all a missed as no one dares to try on it and the queue were too long to join. Too bad, i can't play this time round or I'll be up there screaming on one of the rides too. We literally just passed by this section of Ocean park.

 

Photo of the day

This photo is damn funny! Well done guys.
Traditional shophouse converted to game station
Took a long queue to take the cable car ride





Whoever created cable car, is such a genius.
Whoever built it, is a talent.
The boys certainly enjoyed the ride up

This pretty is very huge, and is the only one in the big pool i think.
Penguins



Where is Baby!!!


Times passes so fast, it's sunset.

Favorite: DRUMS!

Goodbye Ocean Park, we need to go off as we're running late to Madame Tussauds already!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

2nd Family Trip: Hong Kong (Day 1)

Hong Kong: 23 - 30 January 2013

Airfare: S$1,250
Accommodation: S$1,200

A trip with filled with many 'first time' experiences


It's the first time that we're traveling to a cold country with the kids and preparations were done way in advance to make sure that they will be kept warm. Jackets, long john, gloves and on and on and on...

It's was a family trip again with an additional headcount and yes, we're going with the little baby to HK! Needless to say, we flying off with Jetstar again.


XXD 1st flight experience
Since it's a group of us, we booked an apartment from Airbnb instead of staying in a hotel. First booking made with Airbnb after much researches and we're glad that it turned out well although it wasn't 100% of what we expected of the apartment. 

Great location at Mongkok with basic amenities and good for tourist who will be out most of the times and only need a place to rest and keep their personal belongings. Gigi is a great host and responded quickly to messages and calls. Click here to find out more information about this apartment. Gigi will be able to give you a discount if you quote my screen name: dreamychris. 


Living Room
Kitchen on the right
Took the airport express bus from airport to Mongkok to meet Angie's assistant who will bring us to our residential place. Missed a station even after much focus and walked our way back. Phew~


10mins before
10mins after: both slept really comfortably throughout the whole journey!
Can't recall when was the last time we used a public phone, dialing NaiNai to tell her we have REACHED HK!
Took our 1st public transport via bus to meet NaiNai for dinner from Mongkok to the ferry terminal. It actually feels like taking bus 88 from in SG from one end to another but the whole journey felt so insecure as we were worried that we might be heading towards the wrong direction or wrong ferry terminal.

Like HK soap drama
It's CNY, dong dong dong dong qiang.
 Had our first steamboat dinner in a restaurant and visited NaiNai's place.





This mess do not come cheap
 Photo of the day


As part of the population in Singapore, we always complained that HDB has built our far too small. After viewing NaiNai's place, we realized that it is even smaller then expected. It's impossible to do a group celebration for festive like Chinese New Year or even, a birthday gathering in a 3 room flat.

Now we understand why HK families seldom eat at home for Chinese New Year, and tend to queue up at restaurants instead.

The flat is good for basic living such as having a comfort place to sleep in, eat and watch TV. When asked about the cost, the price of a HDB flat in SG is almost comparable to a flat in HK.

Although flats are really getting smaller in SG, but I'm stilll happy with our houses. At least, we are able to gather for Chinese New Year, Christmas and even birthdays.

Handsome Travis