Here are some tips i wanna share especially for 1st time travellers in Hong Kong 😊
Upon arrival at Hong Kong International airport
1. Claim Hong Kong goodies voucher worth HKD100 after baggage claim area. Just present your passport at the Hong Kong Tourism Board kiosk. You may use this voucher for Airport Express from airport to hotel, or from hotel to airport
2. Buy Octopus card which you can use for major transportation modes in HK e.g. Airport Express, MTR, bus. Use 1 Octopus card per person. There's a HKD50 deposit for each card then buy initial load based on your length of stay. Very easy to add load anyway in all MTR stations if needed
In MTR station
1. Get the MTR map. Helpful in planning your IT for the easiest and cheapest way to move around
2. You can go down the MTR instead of crossing streets to avoid the heat or rain
Hotel
1. We stayed in Hotel Ease Mong Kok. Convenient as it's very near Yau Ma Tei Station -- only a few steps from Exit A1 or B2. Small room as expected in HK but very clean, with daily replenishment of bottled water, courteous staff, easy check in and check out procedure, complete toiletries, plus there's a hair dryer though you won't need it coz it's very humid in HK. Hotel has lots of restaurants around it. Walking distance from night markets.
2. Restos around the hotel:
Beside - Eel with black bean sauce
Across - Roasted goose
A few steps away - Fresh fruit shakes
Restos to try in HK:
Breakfast or Snacks
1. Kam Wah Cafe - Mongkok station
- Pineapple bun and hot milk tea / coffee
2. Australian Dairy Co. - Jordan station
- Scrambled egg with toast, and macaroni soup
- Pudding for dessert
3. Bakehouse - Central station
- Walk via Central midlevel escalator upto top, no need to walk on the street
- Sourdough egg tart and cinnamon roll
- take out only
Lunch/ Dinner (The Peak)
1. Mak's noodles
- Beef Brisket noodles
2. D&K Roast Goose
- roasted goose and pork belly
Must do / go aside from Disneyland:
1. Ngong Ping 360
- cable car and Buddha
2. Madame Tussauds (The Peak)
- wax museum
3. Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428
- view of Hong Kong
Above may be booked via Klook. Convenient and you get confirmation within minutes
Other tips:
1. Bring comfortable shoes as there will be A LOT of walking and standing
2. Bring small umbrella coz it's raining in HK in July / Aug and it's so hot when not raining
3. Use belt bag or small bag so shoulders won't hurt
Before immigration at Hong Kong International airport on the return trip to Manila:
1. Surrender Octopus card so you get refund of unused balance plus the HKD50 deposit
2. If you forget to do no.1, you can use remaining balance of the Octopus card to pay in some airport restos / stores
Hope this helps and enjoy your free trip to Hong Kong! You're welcome 😊
