~ Day One : Singapore - Mongkok ~
Finally, I get to have a proper in-flight meal, but the gula melaka cake is very dry.
Once we touched down at Hong Kong Airport, we went to 1010 to purchase a prepaid card. We bought the Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM card at HKD 118 (equivalent to SGD 21.07 with the current exchange rate of SGD 1 to HKD 5.60). This 8 day plan comes with an unlimited wifi, local voice calls, and data usage of 5GB.
Visit this website for more sim prepaid cards of your choice.
Next, we boarded the Airport Express to Hong Kong station. I bought the correct ticket type this time (the round trip one) as I got the single journey when I last visited Hong Kong in 2015. Now you can opt for a QR code e-ticket instead of the physical one. Just scan at the designated gantries, and off you go. No queue and hassle free. You may also charge your phone on the train too. Very cool.
We did not know about the Airport Express Shuttle Bus Service from Hong Kong MTR station, and took a train to Sheung Wan MTR station. We were dead tired after walking for 10 minutes while lugging our luggage when we reached our hotel. Luckily, we came to know about the shuttle bus on our last day. Phew!
Ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan is pretty good. Room is spacious as I know Hong Kong's hotels are usually quite small.
Da Bao and I were too famished and we ended up having our late lunch at 4pm. Our first meal in Hong Kong must be instant noodles aka gongzai min. Just popped by any HK cafe (char chan teng), the noodles all tasted as good.
Old wife biscuits (lou po peng) is must buy in Hong Kong, and I will usually go for Hang Heung brand. You may keep it for only a maximum of 10 days. We visited the Mong Kok's branch since we are shopping at Ladies' Market. There are so many souvenirs at Mongkok! I had my favourite stinky tofu, but the standard has dropped tremendously. Luckily, I still managed to eat mobile softee's soft serve.
Our supper for the day at Hui Lau Shan. I would usually go for the double boiled bird's nest in coconut, but I was too full so had the normal bird's nest instead.
Our loots for the day!
Hong Kong MTR - Airport Express
https://www.paydollar.com/b2c2/AELControlServlet?lang=eng&action=getitem&itemid=29&catid=10020&
Airport Express Shuttle Bus Service
http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/complom_free_bus.html
Hong Kong MTR Trip Planner
http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/jp/index.php
Hotel ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan
No. 28 Des Voeox Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
+852 2252 2929 | H7606-RE10@accor.com
http://www.ibis.com/en/hotel-7606-ibis-hong-kong-central-and-sheung-wan/index.shtml
Hainan Restaurant 海南餐廳
G/F, 130-131 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan
+852 2581 9191 | Opening hours: 11am to 11pm daily
Hang Heung
http://www.hangheung.com.hk/branches.php
Ladies' Market
Tung Choi St exit E2 mongkok, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Opening hours: 11am to 11:30pm daily
Hui Lau Shan 許留山
Shop 202, 2/F, Shun Tak Centre, 168-200 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong | +852 2517 1138 | http://www.hkhls.com/
Opening hours: 10am to 10:30pm daily
~ Day Two : Cheung Chau ~
We alighted at Central MTR station, exit A. Cross the overhead bridge, and continue straight via a super long overhead bridge to Central Piers. You may see the Hong Kong Observation Wheel on your right. If you had accidentally turned to your left after crossing overhead bridge, you will see IFC Mall on your right. Walk along IFC Mall till the end, and approach the security. He will lead you to Central Piers.
Ferry to Cheung Chau is Pier 5, and you may use your Octopus card for travelling. I suggest the deluxe (with air-con) ferry tickets for ordinary vessel or fast vessel, whichever is available. Ordinary deluxe vessel: HKD30.20 (SGD5.40) with travelling time one hour. Fast vessel: HKD37.20 (SGD6.60) with travelling time half an hour. Note that our fares are weekend rate, and the weekday's one are much more cheaper.
You will see McDonalds upon exiting of Cheung Chau's ferry pier. Turn to the right and walk to food street on the left hand side after passing by some shops. Our entire trip here was just eating, walking, eating, and shopping. The curry fish balls were so shiok, and bouncy. No fishy smell at all. Gam Wing Taai's fish balls were pretty good too with so many varieties to choose from.
Remember to try out the coconut cheung fun with mango dessert at Yun Sheng. Really mouth watering.
My initial plan was to cover the whole of Cheung Chau including Cheung Po Tsai Cave, and mini Great Wall. However, the weather was so hot (we had a tan) that we almost died after walking up slope for 20 minutes to North Lookout Pavilion. That was the highest point in Cheung Chau, and you must bring along insect repellent.
We went back to food street, had some snacks and dessert before shopping for safety bun (peng on bao) souvenirs.
We left early, and took MTR to Causeway Bay station. Since I have decided I'm never going to Japan in this lifetime (due to radiation), I might as well try the famous Ichiran Ramen in Hong Kong. We queued for around 20 minutes. The ramen soup & pork slices were not too bad, but I did not like the noodles that much. Quite an experience and you can lunch alone without feeling awkward. You know, forever alone?
I was so impressed by the automated soap dispenser, and hand dryer - everything were equipped in one sink.
Day 2's loots!
New World First Ferry Services
Central Ferry Pier No.5, Man Kwong St, Central, Hong Kong | +852 2131 8181
http://www.nwff.com.hk/public/home.php
Gam Wing Taai Fish Balls 甘永泰魚蛋
G/F, 106 San Hing Street, Cheung Chau | +852 2981 3050
Opening hours: 7am to 5pm daily
允升甜品
3 San Hing Street, Cheung Chau Hong Kong | +852 2981 5032
Opening hours: 11am to 7pm daily
Cheung Chau
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/seasia/see-do/great-outdoors/outlying-islands/cheung-chau/index.jsp
Ichiran 天然豚骨拉麵專門店一蘭
Shop F-I, G/F, Lockhart House, Block A, 440 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay MTR station, Exit C | + 852 2152 4040 | +852 2116 4802
**Opening hours as per open rice HK is 24 hours
~ Day Three : Macau ~
Our breakfast at Lan Fong Yuen, I heard they were the original inventor of stocking milk tea (si mut nai cha). Do try out their famous pork chop bun.
**Point to note
Macau's currency MOP exchange rate is 1 MOP to 1 HKD, and they accept HKD everywhere
I did not check out Macau Taipa when I last visited the Macau mainland in 2012. Nothing much has changed over the years, and I still get to travel around Macau for free with these Casinos shuttle buses. We took a ferry from Hong Kong Sheung Wan to Macau Taipa ferry terminal. There were a lot of shuttle buses to choose from, and we went for the Venetian Macau. Their bus even has free wifi.
The entire Venetian hotel is so grand! Free wifi everywhere! Their casino is smoke-free with designated smoking room available. I'm so going to stay there the next time!
After checking out the casino, it was time to eat the famous Portugese egg tart from Lord Stow's Bakery. O.M.G. These egg tarts melt in your mouth, you will totally faint. Too bad I cannot bring them back to SG as the freshness only last for 3 days if I kept in the fridge. Will buy them back when I'm flying directly to Macau next time.
Venetian Macau does provide shuttle service to the main Macau ferry terminal. When we reached the main terminal, we took another shuttle bus provided by Lisboa Casino. From Lisboa Hotel, we walked to Senado Square. After which we walked again to Lai Kei Sorvetes (Ice-cream) as I wanted to try out the traditional ice-cream sandwich.
Our dinner at Restorante Escada, and they are famous for their African chicken. We ordered something else since we were too full.
We tried to take shuttle bus from Lisboa Hotel to Macau ferry terminal. The security asked if we were staying at the hotel, and we said no. But in the end, he was kind enought to let us board the free shuttle service. So fortunate for us.
Last day's loots!
Lan Fong Yuen 蘭芳園
Shop 304D, 3/F, Shun Tak
Centre, 168-200 Connaugh Road Central,
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong +852 2517 7268
Opening
hours: 8am – 8pm from Monday to Saturday
Cotai Water Jet
The Venetian Macau
https://www.venetianmacao.com | +853 2882 8888
Lord Stow's Bakery 安德魯餅店
Shop 870, Mask Street, 3/F, The Grand Canal Shoppes, The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, Estrada do Istmo, Coloane-Taipa | +853 2886 6889
Opening hours: Sun - Thur: 10am to 11pm | Fri - Sat: 10am to 12am
Lai Kei Sorvetes 禮記雪糕
G/F, 12 Avenida do
Conselherio Ferrerira de Alemida R/C, Ferreira de Almeida. +853 2837 5781 | Opening hours: 12pm to 7pm
Restorante Escada
G/F, 8 R. da Se, Avenida
de Almeida Ribeiro
+853 2896 6900 | Mon to Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
+853 2896 6900 | Mon to Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Turbojet
https://www.turbojet.com.hk/en/~ Day Four : Sheung Wan - Singapore ~
I have always love traditional dim sums eatery with push carts. You don't get to see a lot these days.
Lin Heung Kui 蓮香居
2-3/F,
46-50 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
+852 2156 9328 | Opens daily from 6am to 9:30pm
+852 2156 9328 | Opens daily from 6am to 9:30pm