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Post by anshjain97 on Mar 11, 2013 6:39:04 GMT
We will have a layover in HK next month- I deliberately chose this time for some time in the city. The flight arrives at 11.30 am and leaves at 12 am (so we have around 12 hrs arrival-departure). Assuming flights are on time, I am hoping for 7 hours of city time.
We have already been to HK twice- so have some idea. I mostly want to re-do what we have before. My priorities are the Star Ferry, Peak and Causeway Bay.
Any tips welcome- this is the first time we'll be out on a layover! How can this be structured? Logistics? Transport shouldn't be a problem, though, just looking at how to overall structure this.
Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2013 6:56:03 GMT
Frankly, the train into the city is so efficient that it is scandalously easy to do all that. It's funny how we are all attracted to the Star Ferry when we could take the underground so much faster -- but of course the experience of being out in Hong Kong harbour is what we all want!  My biggest fear when I had a midnight flight to Sydney after spending all day in the city after a 13-hour flight from Paris was that I would fall asleep in the departure lounge and somehow miss my plane!  |
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Post by anshjain97 on Mar 11, 2013 7:24:50 GMT
Thanks for your answer. I missed this out but my dad wants to take the cable car from the airport to the Big Buddha. And then on, we'll mostly rely on taxis as well as the MTR. But since this is the first time we'll be out on a layover, it probably requires extra planning to ensure it works smoothly.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2013 8:21:24 GMT
I remember taking the streetcar from Victoria to Aberdeen once as well -- Abderdeen is (was?) where a lot of people still live on the traditional junks and there are also a lot of fancy floating restaurants.
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Post by anshjain97 on Mar 11, 2013 8:44:52 GMT
Ah...I have never taken the streetcar... surely something to try out.
But then, I am going to San Francisco so I guess I'll get my streetcar fix there.
Do you know any good Buddhist temples? (already seen the Big Buddha)
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Post by nautiker on Mar 11, 2013 9:24:04 GMT
I deliberately chose this time for some time in the city. I assume there's no longer any opposition in your family when it comes to travel arrangements, ansh, or is there? ;D sorry for going off-topic. |
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Post by anshjain97 on Mar 11, 2013 12:21:37 GMT
No problem on going off-topic!
There is always some opposition, as we are a family, 4 people. Although, my brother studies in the US and he doesn't have many holidays this time in Apr so he may/may not join us in San Francisco.
But yes, there's always some opposition, in primarily international, rather than domestic, travel- although I have influenced our now domestic trips to a great degree. It used to be just chilling out but I have now added an element of sightseeing to it.
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Post by tod2 on Mar 11, 2013 16:01:18 GMT
I remember taking the streetcar from Victoria to Aberdeen once as well -- Abderdeen is (was?) where a lot of people still live on the traditional junks and there are also a lot of fancy floating restaurants. I remember going there by bus and nearly fainting as we sped down the hilly twists and turns! I also remember an open air market where I bought 10 pairs of trousers that I have never worn... The other time we called in there was by boat at night and had dinner at JUMBO the floating restaurant. |
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 11, 2013 21:47:54 GMT
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Post by anshjain97 on Mar 12, 2013 1:03:31 GMT
tod- I remember the bus speeding down hilly turns as well! Scary.
Thanks, Bixa, helpful link. Am definitely not going to spend all that time in the transit lounge! We could've chosen a more expensive fare option for a far shorter transit time, but I've had it with layovers involving only duty-free shops!
Cheers.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 21, 2013 16:33:34 GMT
So, Ansh ~~ have you worked out an itinerary yet? It would be interesting to see what you've planned & then to hear from you about what actually happens.
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Post by anshjain97 on Mar 22, 2013 1:05:08 GMT
Hi, yes, I've made a plan- incorporating some of what I've seen before and some of what I missed.
If flights are on time, I should be able to leave the airport by around 12:15 PM...then I will go to Kowloon to take the Star Ferry across to Central. From there, walking around, seeing the famous Bank of China Tower, colonial Statue Sq, views from International Financial Centre and then to the famous Victoria Peak- which is my most vivid memory of my last trip. Then, to the bustling Causeway Bay and Times Sq Mall- then to the airport.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 22, 2013 4:03:14 GMT
Oh my goodness -- that's a lot! I assume that will cover two meals, plus lots of stopping for pictures, maybe a coffee or simply sitting & resting.
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Post by anshjain97 on Mar 22, 2013 11:35:20 GMT
Two meals for sure, and of course lots of pictures! But sitting...only if my parents want to...because I will certainly avoid it. I will be doing a lot of sitting on the flight- it's 7 hrs to HK and 13 hrs from HK to San Francisco...
Well, I seem to have missed some other sights on my plan- Man Mo Temple and Central Plaza.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2013 11:49:12 GMT
Will you still be in the city after dark? Seeing the illuminated Victoria skyline from Tsim Sha Tsui is absolutely breathtaking.
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Post by anshjain97 on Mar 22, 2013 13:25:13 GMT
I've done that- back in 2004- superb!!! But I will be taking a day ride from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central pier- not taken a day cruise before. However, I will be in Causeway Bay at evening and hope to have dinner at a place with a view.
Aiming to leave for the airport at around 8.30 pm.
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Post by anshjain97 on Apr 14, 2013 12:51:14 GMT
Thanks for your help! Went great!
However I changed plans a bit.
Flight arrived an hour late, but it really didn't matter, as immigration was quick. Went to International Financial Centre mall (IFC) and then went to Mid-Levels and ate at Habibi- a nice restaurant where we have had lunch last time also- 5.5 years ago. Roamed aroud there, went to Man Mo Temple, then to St John's Cathedral, around Bank of China Tower and Statue Sq. Then to Causeway Bay, Times Sq Mall, finally took the Star Ferry across to Tsim Sha Ysui, and after dinner watched the Laser Show, finally back to the airport.
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 14, 2013 14:43:38 GMT
Wow, you all did a lot, even with losing an hour! Did you feel you got back to the airport without feeling rushed?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2013 18:01:39 GMT
I find the IFC Mall soothing because it isn't nearly as crowded as the others.
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Post by anshjain97 on Apr 14, 2013 21:17:30 GMT
Actually Bixa- not really rushed. I had enough time to take photos, soak in the atmosphere- and enough time to get lost (not always intentionally...).
But I was tired- I slept more in the flight afterwards than I thought.
Even being a Saturday afternoon, IFC wasn't all that crowded- but Times Sq was a completely different ball game!
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