Finally Hong Kong Day 6: Lamma Island

We checked the weather forecast and good sunny weather was predicted. Given so, we decided to go to Lamma island that we had missed a few days back.

We tabao bfast from the same 茶餐厅. I bought a 波罗包 that came straight from oven. It was still hot when I ate it in the hotel room and it was so darn good. I am drooling when I think about it now.

To go to Lamma islanad, we had to take the MTR to Central and then walked to Hongkong MTR before exiting at the IFC.
A previous blog that I read stated the ferry departure at 10.20am and an hour wait for the next ferry. It was 10am when we exited the MTR. We were trying to turn on Google Map for direction and I thought it would be easier if we asked the security guard for direction but it turned out that he pointed us to a totally different direction from Google map. Who did we trust? Google map of course and it turned out that Google map was correct. Heng ah!

It was an easy walk to the Central pier for the ferry; cutting right through the hige shopping mall. The pier was visible from afar.

The timetable that I saw on the blog post was outdated. The ferry was at 10.10am instead and we were on the dot!

We were running around looking for the ticket booth only to be told that the ferry tickets were to be paid using Octopus card. Impressive! Luckily we just topped up the cards. We also realised how costly it is to travel around in HKG. Other than the taxis to and from Lantau island, we had been traveling via MTR and each trip is easily SGD 2 to 3. Ouch! Didn't we just top up the Octopus card? Low value again?

We were the last few passengers to board (Ok, run for) the ferry. The ferry left right on time and it was an easy 20 mins ride.

While on the ferry, Zaky was surprised that we were going to an island again. Didn't we just go to an island on the 1st day? Haha, so many islands to visit. Hello Lamma Island!

 There is a family trail in Lamma island that starts at the Yung Shue Wan (YSW) pier, which was where we landed and would end at the Sok Kwu Wan (SKW) pier. The trail would take about 1 hr 20 mins to complete and we would take the ferry back from Sok Kwu Wan. It sounded like we had everything in plan except that we forgot to find out the ferry departure time from Sok Kwu Wan. Haha.

Concrete path greeted us when we 1st landed. YSW is an existing village.

There were many friendly dogs and kids love dogs. Popo would have freaked out at how the dogs were licking the kids, probably the left behind snacks still on their lips and face.

While walking through village, we saw grannies with their grandkids, parading them like prized possessions, villages having their morning 饮茶. Everybody seems to know everybody. Super cosy.

There was plenty of seafood too. Being next to the sea, it is no wonder that seafood restaurants spout everywhere.

With the green post box, we are obviously tourists.

The concrete walkpaths were narrow and the motorised carts appeared to be the main mode of transport. It was quite irritating to make way for these carts every 3sec but they disappeared once we got out of the village and start the trail proper.

There were nice concrete walk paths for the entire trail. We looked at the plants and chit chat while we took in the scenery.

After a long walk, we arrived at the beach.

When kids see beaches, they go crazy. It was a small lovely beach. Unfortunately, the weather was too good and sunny. The midday sun was baking the kids and we couldn't stay long. There was some sea water collected among the rocks and we saw trapped sea urchin and what seemed like mini orange jelly fishes (?).

Rule 101: Lil Shauna must collect sea shells at the beach.

If we didnt stop them, the kids would have spent the entire day at the beach. The mid day sun was merciless and we couldn't sense any hint of winter. I think Elsa went on a holiday. We had to chase the kids off the beach and to start the trail again.

It was supposed to be a natural walk and therefore plants and trees are supposed to grow freely and wildly. I shouldnt complain but thought it was super funny that resting points and vieiwng platforms are now blocked by overgrown vegetation. Great views huh? The sea view beyond those plants was fantastic, provided that one is tall enough... or have a tall chair.

Look how tall and big this common plant we always see back home.

It would be fantastic if we had cooler weather. Then again, it is better than rain. Hello blue sky!

At the end of the trail, we saw one of these caves. They were Kamikaza craves built by Japanese during WW2 where they planned to launch Kamikaza speed boat to collide with allied war ships but they didn't complete building the caves before the war ended. The cave was filled with water now.

It was about 2ish when we finally arrived at disembarkation pier.

We had a super late lunch at the only non seafood restaurant at the SKW pier. There were definitely more food choices at YSW and more populated. Lunch was by the sea, don't play, play.

It was way too rush for next ferry at 2.35pm.

There was a little playground next to the pier and the kids met some Hongkonger kids and played for a good 30 mins.

The parents? Relax one corner of course.

We took the 4.05pm ferry back. The ferry left right on the dot and took us 40 mins. The fares were paid when we disembarked at Central Pier, either via Octopus card or cash. Cool.

Next, we took the MTR to Wan Chai and found the toy street at Tai Yuan Street. We were surprised to see a night market instead but got to buy some much needed socks for the kids. I brought a change of socks but apparently their stinky feet needed more. The stuff at the night market aren't cheap.

The toy shops lined both sides of the street. There were maybe about 10 shops, all crowded with people doing Christmas shopping. The kids were each given some money to spend but they didn't spend all the money allocated. Lil Shauna is too old for toys actually. Zaky was interested in some big items but we had no space in out luaggage. Eventually, they each bought some mini toys and were happy to go.

For dinner, we had porridge, something different from the usual dinner and it was good!

Back at TST, we had to change extra HK$. I seriously didn't remember HKG to be so expensive. It had been a long day but Zaky still found energy to play his basketball bought from the toy street. Good night!

Mummy Lim

Finally Hong Kong Day 5: Ocean Park

It was Ocean Park day! The kids (and me too) had been looking forward to Ocean Park.

We finally summoned the courage to tabao bfast from the 茶餐厅 right beside the hotel. We were fearful of rude and impatient Hongkongers who usually man such restaurants. Yes, we totally stereotyped and the experience turned out to be very much a pleasant one. Maybe it was bcos we spoke in English. We learnt that whenever we speak English, which distingished us as tourists (plus non-PRCs), the locals tend to treat us better. The traditionally Hong Kong bfast was fabulicious.

Of course we headed to Ocean Park right after bfast. We took the train to Admiralty MTR and then the bus 629 that sent us directly to Ocean Park. We saw that a new MTR station at Ocean Park will be opened in end December 2016. That will make traveling to and fro Ocean Park so much more convenient.

We had bought the Ocean Park tickets at the Tourist Service counter At Admiralty MTR station a few days ago when we went to the Peak. It was a great choice and it saved us time from queuing for tickets on the actual day. We arrived at about 10am, right when Ocean Park opened its door. Hello Ocean Park!

While I was researching on Ocean Park, I found a blog post with tips on how to conquer Ocean Park. It sounded clever and we followed the tips to take the Ocean Express to the Summit upon arrival. This is where the thrilling rides are located and doing so gave us the opportunity to take the exciting rides before the crowd comes in. Our 1st ride - the Whirly Bird.

Our last trip to Ocean Park was 2 years back. Then, the kids were not tall enough to take the thrilling rides. I still remembered how Lil Shauna complained loads about not being tall enough to take the exciting rides and was forced to take the baby rides. Now, even Zaky could take 75% of the rides and Lil Shauna could take almost all the rides. It is all perception; when we couldn't take the rides, it seems like there were so many rides in Ocean Park. Now that we can take most of the rides, we realised that there are not that many rides. Haha.

We rode many thrilling rides. Behind us is the raging river ride. It wasn't that scary actually.

Unfortunately, we couldn't take the most exciting ride in the park - the Hair Raiser. The kids aren't tall enough. It is a roller coaster that goes upside down.

My favourite of all must be this swinging chair. Why? Bcos the kids could take the ride themselves. Muahahaha. I even sent them 2x for the ride.

Bcos we didn't take that many rides the last time, we explored the park a lot more this time. We realised how super tiring it was, given that Ocean Park was built on a mountain. We had to walk up and down slope to get from one ride to another and we walked back and fro a few times. My calves were still screaming from the Peak descend 2 days back. Haha.

The trip went well until we saw the Dragon ride. It was a roller coaster that also goes upside down but on a smaller scale. Lil Shauna really wanted to try it. Zaky wanted too but he was not tall enough and threw  quite a tantrum. There was tons of "not fair" statements and lots of negotiation before Lil Shauna and I finally went on the ride. It was not scary at all; I ended up feeling the want to puke more than scare after the ride. Haha.

It was again another late lunch. We had plenty of late lunches in Hong Kong. By then, the crowd had started to come in and the Qs were getting longer. We caught 1 last ride after lunch and were in the Q for a good 40 mins. We didn't catch any show but visited the Shark Mystic.

And of course the jellyfish exhibits.

That was when we realised that Ocean Park was suddenly swarmed with PRCs tourists. They must had came in truckloads; the entire park was filled with people! We were so glad that we were done with most of the rides.

We then took the cable car down to the ground level of the park.

It was late afternoon when we arrived. There wasn't much to do at the ground level and mostly baby rides. We did go to the kids corner and saw hoards of parents and young kids. Our kids are way too old for the bouncing castle and playground. While the other parents chased after their young ones, we relaxed one corner. Haha. Shiok ah, no need to chase already.

Ended up, our kids werent interested in the playground too. When we went to ask them to leave, we found them catching lizards instead. Haha.

We left at about 6pm. The park closes at 7pm but we really didn't want to squeeze with the crowd, either for more rides or bus 629.

It was a great day but we all agreed that Disneyland was better. It must be the companion. Hehe. XOXO to the Liow family.

Mummy Lim