My Hong Kong Escapade
Other than China, Hong Kong is a country I have visited more than once. I'm always in Hong Kong during short vacations and even if I keep doing the same things in the country, I actually never grow tired of it. It's probably because there is a tiny hole in my heart that only Hong Kong can fill.
As I grew older I realized how even the smallest details make you a little bit happier if you really are attached to it, and for that reason alone, I was set to return last October 30, 2016. Right after I landed with my sister and my dad, we headed straight to The Park Lane by Pullman hotel for check-in and meet up with my sister's godmother. As soon as we dropped our bags, we went right to the retail heart of Hong Kong, Causeway Bay, to shop our hearts out.
In order to make the most out of our first day in Hong Kong, we made sure our feet took us to Instagram-worthy tourist destinations, restaurants, and shopping districts after Causeway Bay. For the rest of the day, we sailed into Kowloon via Star Ferry just to explore and have dinner in Tsim Sha Tsui street as well as to catch sight of the magnificent Victoria Harbour at night. The Hong Kong skyline, in all honesty, is beautiful enough as it is and the modern city that was built into lush green hills and was surrounded by blue harbours is extremely difficult to put into words.
The next day, we had an extravagant breakfast spread at Cafe One. Since The Park Lane Hotel sits prominently in one of the most recognized places in all of Hong Kong, accessibility was never a problem for us. In fact, taxis plied the area nonstop. Later on that day, we hailed a taxi to take us to the highest peak of the Hong Kong island, the Victoria Peak. As soon as we alighted from the taxi, we spent a few hours shopping at The Peak Galleria which was located on top of The Peak.
Hong Kong is a beautifully unique country which must be seen from different viewpoints by day and night as its city shines in the Asian sun with the dramatic backdrop of green soaring mountains. Thankfully, we were able to catch a glimpse of the entire central city area from Sky Terrace 428. With an elevation of 1811 feet and all the tallest and most impressive skyscrapers in sight, the peak definitely has the best panoramic view of Hong Kong. I wanted to stay immovable at that spot until my eyes become weary of absorbing everything, but that did not happen. In fact, I could look at it for an hour and not budge.
From there, we boarded a ferry to take us across the harbour back to the Central so we could continue our shopping. Typically, we love to venture out for meals since Hong Kong, as everyone told us, is a culinary mecca. Then again, Hong Kong also expertise in luxurious and trendy designed hotels that offer a distinctively creative culinary and tantalising bar experience.
Therefore, my father's friend brought us to the SKYE restaurant located on the roof of the hotel we were staying at for our fine dining encounter. When we were brought to the table, we instantly found ourselves in an oasis of peace with the breathtaking view of the cityscape. SKYE dining served us contemporary French cuisine by Chef Lee Adams and it was indeed an incredibly decadent way to cap off the night! From the service of the food to the design scheme, our dinner was undoubtedly faultless.
After breakfast on our last day in the country, we packed our bags and set out to explore the iconic Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Even if I'm no Disneyland newbie, I was still as excited as ever! When we arrived in Disneyland, I felt as if I was transported to a different place far away from reality, a reality where sometimes the world seems anything but magic.
We had our lunch at the Royal Banquet Hall and departed the resort during sunset. From Hong Kong Disneyland, we hailed a taxi to take us to the airport for our flight back to Manila. Our Hong Kong Disneyland Resort experience was everything my childhood self envisioned it to be. Thrilling rides, magical parades, exhilarating performances, acclaimed restaurants, and thematic shops -- my list of why Hong Kong Disneyland should definitely be on people's visit list could go endlessly.
Rides and performances
No doubt about it, discovering other cities is an unbeatable experience. I was beyond blessed to be staying at The Park Lane Hotel for four days since it was the perfect definition of what luxury should be: the rooms are sophisticated in decor, the 27th floor restaurant & rooftop bar showcases the electrifying views of Hong Kong's skyline and Victoria Harbour, and the hotel is simply a stone's throw from the city's most compelling attractions. Set in the heart of Causeway Bay, staying at The Park Lane Hotel was a great way to see more areas of the city that we wouldn't have otherwise ventured into.
Speaking of New York City, my USA East Coast 2017 trip is up next! :)
The next day, we had an extravagant breakfast spread at Cafe One. Since The Park Lane Hotel sits prominently in one of the most recognized places in all of Hong Kong, accessibility was never a problem for us. In fact, taxis plied the area nonstop. Later on that day, we hailed a taxi to take us to the highest peak of the Hong Kong island, the Victoria Peak. As soon as we alighted from the taxi, we spent a few hours shopping at The Peak Galleria which was located on top of The Peak.
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| Cafe One |
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| View from Cafe One |
Hong Kong is a beautifully unique country which must be seen from different viewpoints by day and night as its city shines in the Asian sun with the dramatic backdrop of green soaring mountains. Thankfully, we were able to catch a glimpse of the entire central city area from Sky Terrace 428. With an elevation of 1811 feet and all the tallest and most impressive skyscrapers in sight, the peak definitely has the best panoramic view of Hong Kong. I wanted to stay immovable at that spot until my eyes become weary of absorbing everything, but that did not happen. In fact, I could look at it for an hour and not budge.
From there, we boarded a ferry to take us across the harbour back to the Central so we could continue our shopping. Typically, we love to venture out for meals since Hong Kong, as everyone told us, is a culinary mecca. Then again, Hong Kong also expertise in luxurious and trendy designed hotels that offer a distinctively creative culinary and tantalising bar experience.
  |
| View from Central |
After breakfast on our last day in the country, we packed our bags and set out to explore the iconic Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Even if I'm no Disneyland newbie, I was still as excited as ever! When we arrived in Disneyland, I felt as if I was transported to a different place far away from reality, a reality where sometimes the world seems anything but magic.
Rides and performances
No doubt about it, discovering other cities is an unbeatable experience. I was beyond blessed to be staying at The Park Lane Hotel for four days since it was the perfect definition of what luxury should be: the rooms are sophisticated in decor, the 27th floor restaurant & rooftop bar showcases the electrifying views of Hong Kong's skyline and Victoria Harbour, and the hotel is simply a stone's throw from the city's most compelling attractions. Set in the heart of Causeway Bay, staying at The Park Lane Hotel was a great way to see more areas of the city that we wouldn't have otherwise ventured into.
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| View from SKYE roofbar |
I love traveling to Hong Kong so much that I already know my way around it more than I know my way around Manila, and to think that this situation only happens whenever I'm there or in New York. In fact, Hong Kong's composition of traditional and contemporary buildings is so remarkable that sometimes I feel like it's New York, but only an Asian version. And just like that, the feeling of familiarity makes me want to keep coming back.
Speaking of New York City, my USA East Coast 2017 trip is up next! :)
1 comments
Great blog! Looking forward to the next one ��
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