About ME
Hi!
I'm Mara, thanks for visiting my blog! I will be traveling around the world for the next years and explore amazing places in different countries! I am always seeking Adventures, Good Food, Martial Arts Experiences, Unique and sometimes Weird Stuff. \(^o^)/
HONG
KONG
To me, Hong Kong will always be an interesting and unique city. It has a little bit of everything spread over the peaceful Lantau Island with the Fisher Village Tai’Oh and the gigantic Tin Tian Buddha, the busy Hongkong Island where business is daily schedule and the shopping mile Tsim Sha Tsui with stores as far as the eye can see and different markets. The main language in Hong Kong is Cantonese but they usually understand English very well and you will be surprised to see a lot of foreigners, not only tourists, but also business people. Let's get into todays To-Do List!
HOW TO GET AROUND IN HK
Get an Octopus Card right at the Airport because it’s the easiest way to get around by Metro in Hong Kong. You can get the Standard one for 150 HK which includes 100 HK credit and a refundable 50 HK
WHERE TO STAY IN HK
For the first few days I slept at Yan Yan Guesthouse, which was very clean and comfortable. It’s located in a building full of Hindi and Arabic people, which was also kind of annoying because every time you walked in and out, they would almost grab you and ask you if you need a Guesthouse. But on the other hand the price and location was unbeatable! The Metro is 2’ away by foot, there are countless stores and within 5’ you reach the pier with an amazing view on Hong Kong Island.
NICE TO KNOW
Have you ever heard of Hong Kong Movies? Did you know that this is a THING? If not, you really should check them out!
HK MOVIES
Police Story (1985) with Jackie!
A Better Tomorrow (1986)
*A Chinese Ghoste Story (1987)
City on Fire (1987)
God of Gamblers (1989)
Days of Being Wild (1990)
Once Upon a Time in China (1991) with Jet Li!
Chungking Express (1994)
*A Chinese Odyssey (1995)
Comerades – Almost a Love Story (1996)
Happy Together (1997)
Made in Hong Kong (1997)
*In The Mood For Love (2000)
*Infernal Affairs (2002)
Shaolin Soccer (2004)
Election (2005)
BRUCE LEE MOVIES
A Touch of Zen (1971)
The Way of the Dragon (1972)
Fist of Fury (1972)
Drunken Master (1978)
LANTAU ISLAND
Spend at least one day on LANTAU ISLAND to visit the 37meter TIAN TIN BUDDHA and the cute, touristic village NGONG PING. You can hike up along the WISDOM PATH or take the cable car and don’t forget to visit the PO LIN MONASTERY! Also plan time to explore the TAI O FISHING VILLAGE and take a boat to see the DOLPHINS.
Metro Station: Tung Chung
SHA TIN
Absolute magical is the TEN THOUSAND BUDDHA MONASTERY. You can take the Metro and walk up, the little bit hidden path to reach the Monastery. Left and right on the path are living-sized Buddha statues and the view on Hong Kong is amazing! If you have some time visit the SHA TIN PARK, the HK HERITAGE MUSEUM or shop until you drop in the NEW TOWN PLAZA.
Metro Station: Sha Tin
HK ISLAND
The CENTRAL MID-LEVELS ESCALATOR in SOHO, was a little bit a disappointment, because I expected one long escalator, but there are actually a few in a row. Anyways, walk up and ride it down – because it’s on the To-Do-List! Catch a glimpse on the stylish Hong Kong Trams. The MAN MO TEMPLE is close by and also the LAN KWAI FONG quarter is within walking distance. The nightlife there is pretty awesome!
Metro Station: Central / Sheung Wan
HACKS FOR VICTORIA PEAK;
if you want to take the legendary tram up, you can walk through without getting a ticket if you have enough cash on your OCTOPUS CARD. Just use the line direct to the tram or show it to the people. The cheaper and more fun way, is to get up/down by bus No. 15. Definitively nothing for weak stomachs, but kinda cool to ride on the second level. The healthiest way is to walk up! The view is great and you don’t necessarily have to buy a ticket for the platform, because there are some great look outs next to the building.
Metro Station: Central Station
Bus up to the Peak: No. 15
YICK CHEONG BUILDING
Take the obligatory INSTAGRAM PICTURE at the famous YICK CHEONG BUILDING from movies like Ghost in the Shell and Transformers!
Metro Station: Quarray Bay / Tai Koo Shing Road
TSIM SHA TSUI
Visit the KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER during the day to get a good shot of the HK Island and the TSIM SHA TSUI CLOCK TOWER. Close by is the AVENUE OF STARS with the Kung Fu Legend BRUCE LEE. Head back at night and catch the LASER SHOW at 19:45. You can see this from both sides, so head to HK Island the next evening.
Metro Station: East Tsim Sha Tsui
MARKETS
Spend a day strolling through the different MARKETS; GOLDFISH MARKET, FA YUEN STREET MARKET, LADIES MARKET and so on. Get heart-broken at the YUEN PO STREET BIRD GARDEN, to see hundreds of birds in cages and even Papageyes. Much nicer is the FLOWER MARKET right on the corner!
Metro Station: Prince Edward / Mong Kok
SHEK O BEACH
Enjoy a day at the beach, explore the LOVERS BRIDGE and walk to the BIG WAVE BAY and stop at one of the countless delicious RESTAURANTS.
Getting there:
Take the MRT to Shau Kei Wan, get out of the Exit A3 and catch Bus No. 9. Get a window seat to enjoy the amazing scene on the way!
MACAU
One of the more popular day trips from Hong Kong is MACAU. Macau is not that big and if you are not into gambling, one day is enough to explore the city. Otherwise you can also stay overnight.
The most common way to get there is by ferry - don't forget your passport!
WHERE TO GET TICKETS
Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal
Shun Tak Centre, 200 Connaught Road Central, Sheung
WanChina Ferry Terminal
33 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
WHEN TO GET THERE
From Sheung Wan to downtown Macau
every fifteen minutes from 07:00 until 23:59
From TST to downtown Macau
every thirty minutes from 07:00 until 22:30. There are no night sailings on this route.
From Sheung Wan to Cotai
every thirty minutes from 7:00 until 23:30. There are no night sailings on this route.
From Kowloon to Cotai
This is the least frequent route with five sailings through the morning until 13:15.
TICKET COSTS
ECONOMY Class (from Macau to Hong Kong the rides are a little bit cheaper)
(Weekdays) $ 171
(Weekends & Holidays) $ 186
NIGHT SAILING
(Weekdays,Weekends & Holidays) $ 211
Oct 8 - Jan 31
17:10 - 06:30
Feb 1 - Mar 31 / Sep 1 - Oct 7
17:40 - 06:30
Apr 1 - Aug 31
18:10 - 06:30
