For most Filipinos, Hong Kong is the top destination when you want to experience your first out-of-the country tour. I’m a prime example for that as I chose a Hong Kong trip from my parents as my graduation gift. And with the opening of the “happiest place” on earth, Hong Kong Disneyland, it gave us more reasons to visit this island.
Hong Kong is located in eastern Asia. It borders the South China Sea to the south, west, and east, and shares a land border with mainland China to the north. It consists of 4 main areas: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and the Outlying Islands. Kowloon and the New Territories are on a peninsula, accounting for the bulk of Hong Kong’s land. The New Territories link Hong Kong to mainland China. The Outlying Islands are made up of 234 islands in the proximity of Hong Kong, excluding Hong Kong Island where the capital city (Hong Kong) is located; the island is in the southern part of the territory. Lantau Island and Hong Kong Island are the largest islands. The entire territory, including its islands, has an area of 1,092 square kilometers (421 square miles), which makes it 6 times larger than Washington, D.C. The length of its land border and coastline are 30 kilometers (18 miles) and 733 kilometers (455 miles), respectively.
Now to put it in layman’s term, why do we love visiting Hong Kong. Well, we Filipinos love to travel, eat and shot. And this countryhas all of these essentials that makes not just us, but even other tourists visiting and coming back for more. That is why when my daughter turned 4, Lhara and I planned for a Hong Kong trip, particularly to Hong Kong Disneyland to make her 4th birthday extra special.’
MANDATORY PHOTO OPT. Mother and daughter doing their trademark pose before boarding the plane.
Before this year, I already visited Hong Kong twice. Back in 2000 (for my graduation gift) and in 2005, for work. At that time, Hong Kong Disneyland has just opened and I told the kid in me that I have to make that visit. But for this year, it is extra special as I am visiting Hong Kong with my family. This is a vacation that is truly worth enjoying and remembering. When we arrived, we rested for a while and then we decided to tour the city where our hotel is located. Our mission is not to eat at Mc Donald’s and instead eat at the restaurants that offers authentic Hong Kong or Chinese dishes. It was more like an adventure of sorts since we are with Adrielle who can be very picky at times when it comes to food. Luckily, she liked what Hong Kong has to offer.
WE LOVE TO EAT. What is travelling without experiencing the food.
A LOT TO OFFER. Hong Kong has a lot of in store to tourists visiting, including delicious Chinese foods which you can see in almost all of the streets.
ADRIELLE’S KIND OF WINDOW SHOPPING. My four year-old daughter had a grand time looking at the window of Chinese restaurants and bakeshops.
With the digital age, comes the easy access to information as to where are the nice place that we can visit in Hong Kong. You see, the wonderful country has a lot of in-store for tourists like us. Whether you want delicious food, city adventures, shopping, sight seeing and more, Hong Kong has it.
HONG KONG CITY TOUR. You can see a lot of interesting places in Hong Kong. From famous Chinese actors, the fishing village, factories and more.
We had a lot of fun visiting tourist spots. But when it was time for our Hong Kong Disneyland tour, the joy in the eyes of Adrielle is all worth it.
There’s a reason why Disneyland, wherever it is located is dubbed as “The Happiest Place on Earth”. The backdrop of the enchanted castle will make you feel that you have been transported to a different place, in a world of magic featuring Disney characters you only get to see on TV. Despite being the smallest Disneyland in the world, Hong Kong Disneyland has a unique Chinese Culture inspired charm that will give you a more than the usual Disneyland experience.
HAPPIEST PLACE THIS SIDE OF ASIA. With the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland last September 2005, Hong Kong added another reason why Filipinos love to travel to their country.
Outside our tour schedule, me and Lhara decided to be more adventurous and decided to go to Tung Chung. At first we were a bit hesitant but with the advanced train system, we knew that it will be easy and worth the risk.
When we arrived in Tung Chung, we immediately bought tickets to the cable car. We tep into the glass-bottomed crystal cabin of Ngong Ping 360 for the most spectacular views of the area. The 25-minute cable car ride boasts scenes over Lantau Island, the airport, the seascape and Ngong Ping Village. We forgot all our verbal tussle on our way to this magnificent area. You see, we were arguing if we will still go because we have with us our 4-year old daughter who might have tantrums. But thankfully, everything was a breeze and all of us had a grand time visiting the tourist spots located in the north western coast in Lantau Island.
BIG BUDDHA IN TUNG CHUNG. After our City and Hong Kong Disneyland Tour, we decided to visit the Tian Tan Buddha where we get to experience the Ngo Ping 360 Cable Car, see the Po Lin Monastery where the Big Buddha is located, and we also encounter interesting products made by the monks such as colorful fans, toys and souvenir items.
A day is not enough in Hong Kong Disneyland. 4 days and 3 nights is not enough in Hong Kong. After so many years, Hong Kong is still the top-of-mind and the perfect getaway that makes us Filipinos want to visit and experience what it has to offer. Whether its a city, island or a visit to their theme parks, it never grows old. It gives tourists from all over the world reasons to visit this quaint and wonderful country. And that is why I am most certain, that in the coming years, I will not be surprised if me and my family will be back again, to discover what Hong Kong has in store for us.
REFERENCE: encyclopedia.com
