[Nortrav goes International] Hong Kong - Day 1
After 2 years of being inactive, thanks to never ending school projects and other personal issues. I'm finally back to travel again.
WELCOME to Hong Kong, and this is my very first International Travel (Also, this is my very first post in full English)
Before I share this, let me tell you that I went to the southern part of the Philippines and (of course) the Northern Part of Luzon last December 2017 before we travelled Hong Kong last January 2018. A great way to start the new year. But since I still have the hangover from visiting Hong Kong, let me post this first.
Departure
We departed Manila at 7am. It takes 2 hours of travel traversing the South China Sea.
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Travel tip
Book for the earliest flight to Hong Kong so you still have time to explore the city or look for hotel or guesthouse (if you haven't reserved one)
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We have arrived in Hong Kong. The most amazing part is the airport itself. Its huge, clean and lastly, the gate that we've disembark is at the Midfield Concourse. There's a train service going to the main airport arrival to claim the baggage. They called it Automated People Mover (APM). APM service is free by the way.
MTR Airport Express Train
You have so many options to leave the airport after you claim your bag. You may ride a taxi or a bus. But if you're so excited to see the Hong Kong once you step out of the airport, ride a train.
Tickets are available at the Arrival Lobby. Ticket is worth HK$250 for a 3-day train ride with Airport Express Access. For more details and other ticket prices, refer to the MTR brochure once you arrived at the airport. Also, remember to return the card to the Customer Service of any MTR stations for a HK$50 refund plus the remaining load value (if there's any value left).
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Travel tips
- MTR system map is also available at the MTR website or at their booth. Always keep them handy.
- Hong Kong map is also availabe at the Arrival Area of the Airport. It's very essential for first time travellers
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Hong Kong Central
After a long (but fast) train ride, we arrived at the very end of the line of Airport Express Train, the Hong Kong Central. But as soon as we exit the station (since the train is underneath the IFC mall), you will see the second tallest building of Hong Kong, the Two International Finance Center or 2IFC
Standing 1,364 feet tall and became the tallest building in Hong Kong until 2009 after the completion of International Commerce Center (ICC) in Kowloon. ICC is 1,588 feet.
Since it was holiday when we arrived in Hong Kong, Tamar Park is Jam-pack with people who want to see the Kowloon Skyline, or just roaming around. This is also the time to walk and explore the other skyscrapers in Hong Kong.
This is Bank of China Tower, 1,033.5 feet tall. But, if you want to include the mast, its 1,205.4 feet tall.
The HSBC building, which is I saw it in TV several times before, standing 586.6 feet which is located in the island of Hong Kong.
There's a lot of buildings by the way, which is I can't even recognized them. One thing is for sure, I would say that the designs are iconic.
Tsim Sha Tsui
Can't afford a hotel? Try a guest house. There's a lot of guest house in Tsim Sha Tsui area in Kowloon.
One of them is the Comfort Guest House, located in Flat C5 10/F Block C Chungking Mansion 36-44 Nathan Road. To get there, ride an MTR and alight at Tsim Sha Tsui Exit E/H.
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Travel Tip:
- Book online for convenience.
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But wait... There's more
Did I mention that there is a ferry boat traversing Tsim Sha Tsui to Central? Oh YES, there is. This is a must try and experience a (short) trip and see the Hong Kong and the Kowloon Skyline. You can use the MTR Octopus Card. But, in our case, if you are holding the 3-way ticket Ride with Airport Express Access, its not honored. But, you can pay HK$3.70 for the fare.
There is also this classic boat here in Hong Kong
Well, that's the Day 1 of our stay in Hong Kong. Stay tuned for the Day 2 to Day 5.
WELCOME to Hong Kong, and this is my very first International Travel (Also, this is my very first post in full English)
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| Hong Kong Skyline |
Before I share this, let me tell you that I went to the southern part of the Philippines and (of course) the Northern Part of Luzon last December 2017 before we travelled Hong Kong last January 2018. A great way to start the new year. But since I still have the hangover from visiting Hong Kong, let me post this first.
Departure
We departed Manila at 7am. It takes 2 hours of travel traversing the South China Sea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel tip
Book for the earliest flight to Hong Kong so you still have time to explore the city or look for hotel or guesthouse (if you haven't reserved one)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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| Midfield Concourse Arrival Area |
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| Airport Train |
You have so many options to leave the airport after you claim your bag. You may ride a taxi or a bus. But if you're so excited to see the Hong Kong once you step out of the airport, ride a train.
 |
| Inside the MTR Airport Express Train |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel tips
- MTR system map is also available at the MTR website or at their booth. Always keep them handy.
- Hong Kong map is also availabe at the Arrival Area of the Airport. It's very essential for first time travellers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
| Hong Kong Central Station - End of the Airport Express Line |
After a long (but fast) train ride, we arrived at the very end of the line of Airport Express Train, the Hong Kong Central. But as soon as we exit the station (since the train is underneath the IFC mall), you will see the second tallest building of Hong Kong, the Two International Finance Center or 2IFC
 |
| 2IFC Building in Hong Kong |
Standing 1,364 feet tall and became the tallest building in Hong Kong until 2009 after the completion of International Commerce Center (ICC) in Kowloon. ICC is 1,588 feet.
 |
| ICC Tower in Kowloon |
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| Bank of China Tower |
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| HSBC Building |
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| Hong Kong Convention Center |
Tsim Sha Tsui
Can't afford a hotel? Try a guest house. There's a lot of guest house in Tsim Sha Tsui area in Kowloon.
 |
| Tsim Sha Tsui |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Tip:
- Book online for convenience.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But wait... There's more
Did I mention that there is a ferry boat traversing Tsim Sha Tsui to Central? Oh YES, there is. This is a must try and experience a (short) trip and see the Hong Kong and the Kowloon Skyline. You can use the MTR Octopus Card. But, in our case, if you are holding the 3-way ticket Ride with Airport Express Access, its not honored. But, you can pay HK$3.70 for the fare.
 |
| Star Ferry |
Well, that's the Day 1 of our stay in Hong Kong. Stay tuned for the Day 2 to Day 5.
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