Still groggy from the lack of sleep, I looked at my watch.....it was 5.00 am IST. I lifted the shutter of the window and for few seconds was blinded by the sunlight. A quick look at the TV told me that we were somewhere between China and Vietnam and it was already 7.30 am for them. Sagi, my husband was still sleeping. By 8.15 am, the flight captain commenced the landing procedures. We were now flying above waters. As we started loosing altitute we could clearly make out the ships and boats below us. At 9.10 am we made a smooth landing at Hong Kong International Airport.
I know understood why Sagi and the rest of them told me that Mumbai airport has a long way to go before it is compared with other airports across the world. We must have walked at least a kilometer to reach the immigration. But it was made a breeze thanks to the walking escalators. After taking a intra - airport express (yup, a high speed train within the airport!!!), we reached the immigration services. Queue was quite long but it was really amazing to see people from different nationalities. Around me I could make out at least 6 different languages being spoken. The immigration proceeded smoothly and I finally got my passport stamped for the first time. Hooray!!! I finally arrived at Hong Kong!!!!!!!!!
By the time we claimed our baggage and came out of the airport it was almost 11.30 am. From outside the airport we took A11 bus that would take us to Causeway Bay. It was a double decker bus, with comfortable seating and wifi connectivity. Mom raced ahead of us and secured the front seats that offered the best view. The bus is not really the fastest way to reach Causeway Bay. The MTR offers the quickest option but the bus ride definitely gives you the opportunity to soak in the first sights of the island country. (From the airport take a MTR (Green Line) to and changeover to Blue Line towards and get down at . Causeway Bay is two stop ahead and exit from Fashion Walk exit.)
It was around 12.30 pm when we alighted at our destination (stop no.13). We had to walk a little backwards towards Paterson Street. Wang Fat Hostel reception is on the 3rd floor of 47, Paterson Street. We were allotted rooms on the 2nd floor. As I had considerably lowered my expectations, I was quite happy with the rooms allocated. It was really small (as expected), with a bed and small dressing table. The bathroom was basic, with sliding door, but no lock???? Any which ways, my holiday mood definetly got a shot in the arm :-)
We went for a quick brunch at a Thai Restaurant close-by and then retired for a much needed nap. In the evening we went to the Causeway Bay Metro station and collected our Olympus card. Olympus card is a kind of a pre-paid credit card cum railway pass cum bus pass cum sodexo coupon cum etc.etc. You can get these cards from the customer service of any MTR and are returnable. They levy a charge 7 HKG $, if you return them in less than 3 months. Nevertheless, a very useful thing. We took the Blue Line and got down at Admiralty and then took the Red Line to Tsim Sha Sui. We got out of exit J and walked towards the Avenue of Stars (5 min walk).
Avenue of Stars is similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame (not that I have been there ;-), but I doubt whether the Hollywood counterpart offers such a panoramic view. The avenue features foot prints and handprints of HKG cine stars. We knew only Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Chow Yun Fat. The sound and light show commenced at 8.00 pm and we took a vantage position to enjoy the same. The commentary for our show was, unfortunately, in Cantonese or Mandrin, and hence we could not understand anything. A google search after I came back from my trip mentions that it is the "The World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show" and that it follows a theme. We couldn't make out the theme as it was in Cantonese/ Mandrin. It was fun to see search beams and laser beams dancing to melody. And icing on the cake, the whole thing was FREE!!!!
After a quick dinner at a local restaurant, we called it a day.
By the time we claimed our baggage and came out of the airport it was almost 11.30 am. From outside the airport we took A11 bus that would take us to Causeway Bay. It was a double decker bus, with comfortable seating and wifi connectivity. Mom raced ahead of us and secured the front seats that offered the best view. The bus is not really the fastest way to reach Causeway Bay. The MTR offers the quickest option but the bus ride definitely gives you the opportunity to soak in the first sights of the island country. (From the airport take a MTR (Green Line) to and changeover to Blue Line towards and get down at . Causeway Bay is two stop ahead and exit from Fashion Walk exit.)
It was around 12.30 pm when we alighted at our destination (stop no.13). We had to walk a little backwards towards Paterson Street. Wang Fat Hostel reception is on the 3rd floor of 47, Paterson Street. We were allotted rooms on the 2nd floor. As I had considerably lowered my expectations, I was quite happy with the rooms allocated. It was really small (as expected), with a bed and small dressing table. The bathroom was basic, with sliding door, but no lock???? Any which ways, my holiday mood definetly got a shot in the arm :-)
We went for a quick brunch at a Thai Restaurant close-by and then retired for a much needed nap. In the evening we went to the Causeway Bay Metro station and collected our Olympus card. Olympus card is a kind of a pre-paid credit card cum railway pass cum bus pass cum sodexo coupon cum etc.etc. You can get these cards from the customer service of any MTR and are returnable. They levy a charge 7 HKG $, if you return them in less than 3 months. Nevertheless, a very useful thing. We took the Blue Line and got down at Admiralty and then took the Red Line to Tsim Sha Sui. We got out of exit J and walked towards the Avenue of Stars (5 min walk).
 |
| Me @ The Avenue of Stars |
Avenue of Stars is similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame (not that I have been there ;-), but I doubt whether the Hollywood counterpart offers such a panoramic view. The avenue features foot prints and handprints of HKG cine stars. We knew only Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Chow Yun Fat. The sound and light show commenced at 8.00 pm and we took a vantage position to enjoy the same. The commentary for our show was, unfortunately, in Cantonese or Mandrin, and hence we could not understand anything. A google search after I came back from my trip mentions that it is the "The World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show" and that it follows a theme. We couldn't make out the theme as it was in Cantonese/ Mandrin. It was fun to see search beams and laser beams dancing to melody. And icing on the cake, the whole thing was FREE!!!!
 |
| Mom, Dad and Sagi @ The Avenue of Stars |
After a quick dinner at a local restaurant, we called it a day.
Comments
Post a Comment
Kindly leave your comments, feedback and suggestions.....