Cafe Mickey @ the HKDL Hollywood Hotel

Day 2 in Hong Kong starts with a hefty buffet breakfast at HKDL Holly Hotel's Cafe Mikey.  We knew it is going to be a loaded day 2 at the Hong Kong Disneyland Park so we packed our bellies like soldiers going into battle.

My children just loved these specially piggy designed buns!
I think my 3 year old finished about 3 servings...

My little one, can't wait to finish so that we can head right away to the park. 

Yum, yum!!!

The Cafe Mickey fascade, no waiting needed for guests billeted in the hotel.

Hong Kong's The Peak

Riding the TRAM going to HK's the Peak is an adventure on its own!

It was crazy enough going up HK's famous the Peak at a 90 degrees angle, then imagine riding down at the same angle backward (yup backward).  

I was like, come on... REALLY?

  

On board, HK's famous Peak tram!

The Tram

Love the Peak!

Waiting for our turn on the binoculars.

Posing time! 

Waiting for the tram :D

 Going down the Peak backward was fun, but made me a bit dizzy!!!

Riding the Tram for us was more fun than reaching the actual destination.

 

I do not understand the hype, the apparently spectacular skyline, was just okay for me.  I have seen better skylines in Manila, Cebu and Antipolo.  

However, they do have  tram in HK.

The tram earned this experience a plus and at least a half day in your tourist's itinerary.

The Peak Tram Lower Terminus is a 10 minute up hill walk from Central. Although there are famous Hong Kong landmarks along the way, the walk is not leisurely if you are travelling with kids.  I suggest you take alternative means of transportation going there.

If you are walking from the MTR Central station, make your way to the J2 exit and walk up to the ground level. Turn right, through Chater Garden, cross Queen's Road Central, and make your way up Garden Road. You will pass the Bank of China Tower and Citibank Plaza on your left and St John's Cathedral on your right.

Kowloon Park Hong Kong

Kowloon Park Hong Kong is a good 10 minutes walk from our YMCA Salisbury HK home.  Parks are plenty in Hongkong, but sad to say are often overlooked in a tourist' itinerary.

If you are in TST, I recommend a half day commune with nature in this beautifully well-kept park.

The park has a total area of 13.3 hectares, with a full range of active and passive recreational facilities open to the public. It has indoor swimming pool and sports center, mini soccer pitch, fitness trail, two playgrounds, numerous garden (maze garden, sculpture garden, colour garden, chinese garden) a birds lake, an aviary, plus conservation center.

the sculpture walk - displays various sculptures from renowned local and international artist.  Kung Fu exhibitions are held here from 230 to 430, Sundays. 

One of the many scuptures on display.

Found the aviary - finally!

Those are flamingos at the background.

Wanted to do some birdwatching, but the boys wanted to find the playground.

It was such a huge park and took us a while to find the playground.  It was ofcourse the highlight of this itinerary.  My husband and I finally got to relax underneath a shaddy tree, while the kids run about the playground.  So happy to note that the ground is rubber, so bruises falling down is quite unlikely.

The getting to know stage

There were very few people around, the place almost seemed private!





You will surely love this place, the only downside is you'll probably have to beg and bribe your kids to leave!!!

There is Mc Donald's kiosk inside the park.  It accepts payment via Octopus Card. 

The boys got floats!  Yummy...

Tried the maze too... can't hardly see my youngest from where I am (do you see his cap?)

It was unfortunate there was no Kung Fu schedule when we went there!  My boys would surely enjoy seeing a live Kung Fu exhibition.  Maybe next time. 

Kowloon Park is located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Contact Number: +852 2724 3344

To get there via MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit A1 or MTR Jordan Station, Exit C1, walk along Nathon Road towards Tsim Sha Tsui to Austin Road.

 

Nan Lian Garden Hong Kong

One word - SERENE! 

You would never have guessed that it is located is a busy and harried metropolis.

Nan Lian Garden reminds me of a walled Chinese village in an old Chinese movie.  But per my 3 year old son's perspective, this is such a cool Kung Fu Panda's village!  He won't leave until he meets Po and his friends.  

The gate to the Nan Lian Garden

My son practices his smooth Kung Fu moves, while waiting for Po and friends :D

Picture perfect

Greens to feast your tired eyes!

The Garden is located amids tall buildings



Deep breaths!

The place is truly picturesque.  Drop the touristy Hong Kong itinerary and visit Nan Lian Garden, you will not regret it. 

HOW TO GO THERE:
To go there take the MTR and alight at Diamond Hills Station and exit at C2.  It is just a 2-5 minutes walk from there.

It is a relatively small park and depending on your free time, you can finish the entire park in an hour.

Stars Wannabe at Madame Tussaud, The Peak HK

The most difficult task in writing this blog is choosing just enough pictures for posting!  I think we took about 150 shots in the Madame Tussaud Wax Museum.

  My boys were so excited posing with super stars and yup even super heroes :)

Spideman with Spider Boy...

With Astroboy...

Paps with Ms Monroe.

007 and 001  side by side

Paps with Yao Ming

My eldest likes football and obliged to this picture with David Becham

All in a golf's day with Tiger Woods

Bruce Lee

Just hanging around with Robert Pattinson

Boxing with the Ali!

My boys trying their hands on Elvis' guitar

Never knew there were 7 Beatles members...

TIPS

To save a few bucks, suggest you get your tickets through China Travel Service (CTS) HK. Tickets at the CTS are 10-20 HKD cheaper.  They have an Counter at the airport - A04,A11,C2,C17, Meeters and Greeters Hall, Passenger Terminal Bldg, HK International Airport, Hong Kong. 

Charlie Brown Cafe HK

My family loves this Charlie Brown themed cafe, located at Tsim Sha Tsui HK.  It was just like stepping into a Peanut's comic book with all those Peanut's characters all over the place. 

It is semi-self service and one has to order food by the cashier.  Everything looked real good on the menu, I ended up getting 4 house specials, plus cappuccino for me and my husband and vanilla milk for the kids. 

I ordered Mini Burger Platter, Charlie Brown Sandwich, Traditional Fusilli Bolognaise and Jumbo Snoopy Hotdog.  Yummy...


Food was served about 10-15 minutes later and was shocked when I saw that servings were huge and enough for 2 hungry adults, and I wasn't even hungry!  Oh well...

My son goofing with Charlie Browns hot chocolate!!!

My Bolognaise

The Snoopy Hotdog was huge.  It was as big as my husbands arm  (see his arm at the back?)

The Kids love the Vanilla Milk

My hot capuccino!  So cute, I had a hard time finishing up...

The Snoopy Hotdog and half of my Bolognaise ended up to go :)

Bye Charlie

I really wanted to taste the adorable cakes and pastries, but the burgers, pasta and capuccino already occupied all of my tummy...  maybe next time :)

When in TST HK,  I would definitely recommend this quiet little cafe at 58-60 Cameron Street.  

Charlie Brown Cafe HK is a feast for both your taste buds and eyes.