This trip is just with another girlfriend of mine, just the 2 of us. We have both been to Hong Kong before (though my first trip was some time back in 2010 and I didn't really visited alot of places) so we're skipping some tourist attractions.
If you're travelling to Hong Kong for the first time, you might want to check out all their tourist attractions like The Peak Tram, Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, Outlet at City Gate, Disneyland, Ocean Park and so on.
I'm totally skipping everything on the list except Ocean Park. I've not been there before so between Disneyland and Ocean Park, I decided to drop Disneyland because I've heard so much about it being not worth going. So I'm keeping my Disney experience at another country.
We had a hard time trying to get the best air ticket prices and eventually we settled on Cathay Pacific. It's definitely not the cheapest around but it was acceptable for us. We wanted to keep our flight and accommodation within $500 and we managed to!
FLIGHT
I was searching from Zuji, Scoot, Jetstar and Cathay Pacific via their websites directly for the cheapest flight tickets. I even explored the option of Groupons and deals but they were either over my budget or the travelling period was blocked.
I randomly chanced upon UOB Travel when I got my monthly statement for my debit card and went to check it out. I've never heard of it until I saw the brochures.
The website was relatively easy to navigate and I started searching for my flight. It took me a couple of days of checking and suddenly the prices dipped.
When I saw that the air tickets were $368, I quickly went back to Cathay Pacific direct web to check if they had any on-going promotion. There wasn't any and the prices where still about $500 plus. So I decided to wait no more and went ahead with booking with UOB Travel.
I took some screen shots below.
I was pretty happy to have booked my air ticket at $368 even though the next day I saw another $299 nett promotion from Cathay on those deals website..... (so when you have booked something, just ignore the rest of the advertisement to avoid seeing cheaper tickets hahaha!)
UOB would then send you several emails and your e-itinerary via the email you stated. Then that's all done, you're ready for your trip!
ACCOMMODATION
Keeping out budget $500 in check, we had only about $132 each for our hotel. Of course it's almost impossible to get a decent hotel at that price for 5 days. So we went ahead with exploring our options with Airbnb!
I've tried Airbnb for my trip to Korea and it was an awesome experience. The only bad thing is that you don't have breakfast and room service. Other then that, it's really good.
I stayed in Korea for 10 days without any room service nor breakfast but it was totally fine. Besides you get to eat out every morning! Hong Kong has so much delicious food to eat, it's a plus point if you ask me.
I seek advices from friends about Hong Kong (since my person first experience was pretty bad) I don't really know the routes and places in Hong Kong well. You can actually say that I'm travelling there for the first time. The last time I went in 2010, it was a family trip and I basically didn't get to wander off myself.
After much consideration between staying in Mongkok or Yau Ma Tei, we picked Yau Ma Tei.
Yes, I know it looks freaking small. But Hong Kong houses are pretty small in general. (I visited my relative's place in 2010, and man it's really small but I guess because their houses are crazily expensive). I'd share with you my experience when I come back. Maybe I'd take a video of the entire place to share. Then you can decide if you want to book this place.
There was a DBS discount that time when I booked Airbnb so I had SGD51 off my entire bill. There's a Security Deposit you have to pay but after you've checked out they will return it back to you.
So basically, we paid $254 for the guest house. Which means each of us only have to pay $127! Happy me managed to keep our budget of SGD500 checked!
Several emails will be sent to you again for confirmation. From the mobile app from Airbnb you can communicate with the guest house owner and let him know where to meet and etc. So below is a screenshot of our conversation.
So there, you're done with your accommodation too!
ITINERARY
Since I've not experienced my itinerary personally, I'm just gonna give a vague itinerary schedule. The detailed one with all my comments and opinions will be posted when I get back from my trip! I can't wait to share my adventure when I come back!
Day 1:
The One Mall
Miramar Shopping Centre
Habourcity
H&M Flagship Store (inside Silvercord)
Day 2:
Mido Cafe
Chueng Sha Wan Wholesale Plaza
Lai Sun Commercial Centre
Hong Kong Industrial Centre
Tim Ho Wan (Mongkok)
Hong Kong Museum of Art
Take 5 Store
K11 Mall
Avenue of Stars
Tsui Wah Restaurant (Tsim Sha Tsui)
Hui Lau Shan
We're intending to just crash a random pub, so.. we're just gonna explore for one when we get there.
Day 3:
Australian Daily Company
Kwun Tong Factory Outlet
18 Grams Cafe
Argyly Centre
Langham Centre
Fa Yuen Street
Hing Kee Restaurant
Day 4:
Ocean Park
Causeway Bay (random walking)
Day 5:
Ocean Empire Food Store
Tai Cheong Bakey/Lord's Stow
I might change the itinerary though. When I'm back, I'd share if what I initially planned was workable.
Something to share while I was planning for my trip to Hong Kong, I downloaded this MTR Mobile application on my phone. This application is free and comes with really alot of information.
From the journey needed, the stations and also what shops are there in those shops. It's really useful if you ask me. If you need help to map out your journey, download this app, it'd definitely come in handy!
I am intending to bring with me SGD500 to spend. So that will make a SGD1000 5D4N trip for me. Of course I have no intention of major shopping and buying of luxuries. If I do get any of those they are probably gifts. So I am not including that expenses in.
Another week to my adventure!
Till then!
No comments:
Post a Comment