HONGKONG FREE AND EASY : Dragon's back

Hongkong is not just about shopping and eating. For this trip, it was more of an excursion for my niece so there is very little time allocated to shopping. There are ample places for trekking. For people who want to take a break from city, do some exercise (burn off the fats) and also get some fresh air. There is a great view of Shek  and Big Wave Bay

To get there, take the From MTR Shau Kei Wan Station Exit A3, take bus 9 at Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus to To Tei Wan, Shek O Road

It was quite easy to reach there as this is the stop where most people get off.

It was my first trek. Will not say is a difficult trek. There are some some dirt treks and some are proper stairs but with no railings.  The trek is usually spacious enough for both direction of the traffic. My brother keep pestering me to go at a faster pace as my 7-year old niece is so full of energy. She has no problem conquering all the slopes and stairs. We finish reach the peak and came down in around 3-4 hours.

There are no convenience stores and much toilets. Bring your own water and snacks. There is a market and some shops at Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus

The weather was a bit gloomy when I was there. The photos turn out a bit dull. On the other hand, it was not sunny but windy so the trek was enjoyable.

It is a good place to go to burn off some of the fats from all the eating, get some fresh air and see a different part of hongkong. 

For more information:

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/seasia/see-do/great-outdoors/hikes/dragons-back-hiking-tour.jsp

There is supposed to be an ending point and a nice village. The ending point is near to Wan Chai But we just walked back after reaching the peak, as my parents will waiting at base. It was too tough for them.

Hongkong free and easy : The Cityview HOngkong Review

My second time staying at cityview. 

Location

1.It is just a minute walk away from Yau Ma Tei MTR station

2. There are eateries, supermarket around the area.

3. It is not super crowded like Mongkok or Tsim Sha Tsui, walking from MTR station to the hotel is slow down by human traffic.

4. It is 5 to 10 minutes walk to Mongkong. Just walk out from the hotel entrance. There is an alley opposite OK shop. It is an alley but not dark or quiet. Just walk through it and you are at Mongkok.

Rooms

I choose to stay in the Premier Room. It is newly renovated so everything is clean and nice. The room  is quite spacious for Hongkong standard. It is impossible to get this room size and location at Mongkong or Tsim Sha Tsui. My room has a nice view of Hongkong island. However, it depends on where the room. Photo below Can put a request for it if you want a nice view. There is free wifi too.

The Premier room comes with free breakfast. Selection of food at breakfast is not a lot. There are cereals, salads, breads, fruits and 3-4 chinese cuisine. The food run out quite fast so be early or there is not much left. The Cafe is very pretty. Photos beloewThe Premier room also comes with a free phone. The phone has free wifi and map so you can use it to do your research.  It can also be used to make phone calls, however, the procedure to make a call can be quite troublesome.

And connecting rooms are available. Good for family trips.

The only problem I have is that they do not have a check out counter. Therefore, if everyone in front of you is checking in. It will take quite some time for you to hand over the keys and leave. We ask if we can just pass the key and leave. Hence, we queue half an hour to pass the keys and walk off.

View from my room

A nice newly renovated place to have breakfast. Selection was not a lot but the place was clean and everything looks fresh and good

Hong Kong free and easy : Disneyland AND Tips to a better trip

 Tickets:

You can queue and get the tickets at Hongkong disneyland or buy the tickets there.
The advantages of getting tickets online is no long queue and cheaper rates are available at times.
The disadvantages is the security and you may change your itinerary due to the weather.

I have been to disneyland in other countries. HongKong disneyland is definitely smaller but is still a fun and magical place for both adults and kids to have fun.

To get cheap tickets, there are forums recommending hongkong tour agency. However, is not really worth it unless you getting tickets for more than 5 people as you have to make a trip down to the agency or incur credit card charges.
I got my tickets from klook. Tried it and it work.
Can use my recommendation code.
http://www.klook.com/invite/7I3H6

or disneyland site sometimes have its own offer
https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/offers-discounts/

Tips for a more enjoyable trip.


1. Bring along plain water, sweets and small snacks. It is going to a long long day with lots of walking.Hongkong disneyland's food are not really that nice unless you are going to the expensive restaurant. And while you are queuing, Some snacks and water will make queuing less frustrating.  Disneyland do not allow food so either hide it well or bring small items.

2. Reach early. No queues for rides. Do your shopping later part of the day when it gets too hot. And photo taking while waiting for the fast pass timing

3. Sunscreen, hat and umbrella. Say no to sunburns.

4. Lots of ways you can get cheaper tickets. Read and research if you are going in a big group. Please only go to those with good reviews.

5. Disneyland is situated at not populated and near the sea. It's temperature will be slightly lower than Hongkong and maybe more windy. May not be true for summer but definitely true for winter. I went in December, it was much colder at disneyland. Especially at night.

6. Plan your rides. We went through our first few rides with minimal queuing. We did 7 rides by lunch. In around 3 hours. Start from the one that is furthest. Then get a fast pass for one of the rides and in between the waiting time, catch a show or queue for another ride. For more fast pass information, https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/faq/fastpass/

7. Food at Hongkong disneyland are not really nice. Just a good place to rest and fill up your tummy. Maybe is because I go to the cheaper eateries. The only good thing is the Korean cuttlefish snack. The information and photo is right at the bottom of this post. For the money conscious,  don't snack. the snacks are priced quite high.

8. To get a good place to watch parade and fireworks, have to reach there around 20 minutes earlier.

9. Relax, have fun.

1.  We took a photo with Snow white near fantasyland as the queue was quite short. The fantasyland is not near the entrance. The waiting time was around 5 to 10 minutes

2. Cinderalla Carousel. Fear factor 0. Just sitting on a stationary houses and spinning at slow pace. They also have carriages. Suitable for very young and very old. Unless one gets dizzy very easily. The queue was quite fast, around 10 minutes as it was still early and fantasyland location.

 3. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Waiting time was also around 5- 10 minutes. This is slow moving ride where we just view the graphics and display, Suitable for the very young and very old.

4. Dumbo the flying elephant.
The waiting time for this is slightly longer. Around 20 minutes. It was a bit scary as the elephant will elevate from the ground. Dumbo's flying height can be adjusted with the joystick inside.
It is not really scary. Just not for anyone with a fear of height.

 5.   Toy soldier parachute drop. The name sound scary enough. The parachute will drop slowly from a few storey high. Not for someone with fear of height and falling. I skip this as I definitely will end up crying. My 7 year old niece enjoy the ride a lot. waiting time is slightly longer for this, around 20 minutes.

6. Slinky dog spin
It is a medium speed roller coaster with minor ups and downs. I can only say my niece had fun watching the timid me scream at every little thing. Waiting time was around 15 minutes.

 We skip this RC RAcer. Too scary for me.

7. Jungle River Cruise.
They have it in different languages to suit everyone. Just a very relaxing ride to see some man made animals. Quite a relaxing ride. Waiting time was around 10 minutes.

We had our lunch at TAhitian Terrace. We bought our tickets with meal coupons. It was slightly cheaper. Maybe around HK$20. The laksa was good. the rest was taste around the same. It was just average.

 8. Lion Dance show.

9. Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine cars
   Only 2 person in my family went. Rest of us are not really the brave ones. You will be able to see how the ride goes as it is outdoor, I heard it is fun. Waiting time is around 20-30 minutes. There are a lot of nice spots for photo takings so we don't mind waiting for them.


After this, the waiting time was around 30 minutes to an hour

10. Autopia
Driving a car. This is no height limit. Quite a relaxing ride. Except for my mum. She was too slow and cause a bit of the jam.

11. Space Mountain
I skip this. I heard is very very scary as it was not just ups and downs but very fast.
My 70 year old dad chose to be his first roller coaster ride of his life. A very bad life decision. It will be his last too.

12. Buzz lightyear Astro Blasters
A relaxing game where we take the blaster and shot. Quite fun as it was interactive and not scary.

13. Obrition
This is bit like Dumbo the flying elephant except it has the sci-fi and not the cute image.

14. Mickey's PhilharMagic.
A fun 3D show for all ages. My parents had fun and so did my niece.

15. Frozen Christmas

16. Disney in the stars firework

Star War 

 The unique snack available near the lion king Theatre. Freshly roasted Korean style Cuttlefish. The only food I enjoyed at disneyland. There was a long queue for it as there was a strong yummy aroma surrounding the place.

 Dinner at star liner diner.
Fast food. Fried chicken,fries and etc. The food was average. Just eat not to feel hungry.

Good bye!