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Oversea, Travel

Hong Kong Day 5 & 6: YMCA of HK, Symphony of Lights, Dessert Attack, Goodbye Hong Kong

Check these out (if you haven’t) before reading this last post of my Hong Kong 2011 trip:
Hong Kong Day 1: Airport Express, Thematic Lantern Exhibition & Heritage 1881
Hong Kong Day 2: Star Ferry, Man Mo Temple & Gage Street Market
Hong Kong Day 3: Ocean Park
Hong Kong Day 4: Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Citigate Outlets at Lantau Island & Esprit Outlet

If you noticed, I’ve yet to review our lodging of 5 nights at YMCA of Hong Kong. Read on then.

I wanted to stay at YMCA of Hong Kong (also dubbed The Salisbury) for the longest time. Tried to book ‘the cheapest dormitory room’ before my first trip here but it was fully booked. Tried to book it for my 2nd visit… still no luck. Finally I decided to book the ‘most expensive room’ in YMCA. The Salisbury is not the usual kind of YMCA accommodation (read: shabby). This is one of the very best lodging you can find in Hong Kong.

Let me give you a tour of our room before I tell you what I think of this place and their services.

Upon entering Harbour View Suite,


A sofa bed (not comfortable at all!), arm chair and desk.

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Oversea, Travel

Hong Kong Day 4: Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Citigate Outlets at Lantau Island & Esprit Outlet

Be sure to read these first:
Hong Kong Day 1: Airport Express, Thematic Lantern Exhibition & Heritage 1881
Hong Kong Day 2: Star Ferry, Man Mo Temple & Gage Street Market
Hong Kong Day 3: Ocean Park

We woke up the earliest on day 4, about 6.30am. Our plan for this day is to go to Lantau Island to see the Big Buddha (tai fatt). Of all the days we can choose it had to be on this day?? Well, it was the foggiest day of all!!! You’ll see what I mean later.

Since it was so early (7.30am), most restaurants has not open. Luckily we found one at Hankow Road. Our breakfast at San Yuen Restaurant wasn’t a pleasant one. We get a shock of our life just as we were walking out of that restaurant. Hence I’m not going to share it at Messy Witchen.


The ham fried rice was incredibly good (has wok hei). Couple with a cup of nai cha and chili oil… HEAVEN! Couldn’t say the same for the porridge. It was so yucky! Too salty. The waiter who took our order was quite rude.

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Oversea, Travel

Hong Kong Day 3: Ocean Park

Here’s my 2011 Hong Kong travelogue (so far):
Hong Kong Day 1: Airport Express, Thematic Lantern Exhibition & Heritage 1881
Hong Kong Day 2: Star Ferry, Man Mo Temple & Gage Street Market

We only have one main agenda on day 3 that is to visit Ocean Park (ζ΅·ζ΄‹ε…¬εœ’ Hoi Yong Kung Yuen). Ever since I was 12 years old I have wanted to visit this place. And on this day my dream was fulfilled. So happy!!! Wanted to go during my 1st visit but had to choose Disneyland over this. Disneyland was tempting but a disappointment.

So that morning we walked to Ashley Road at 10am. Had our breakfast in Hing Fat Restaurant. Ohh finally I have my ha kau! The food was good. Read my review of Hing Fat Restaurant here.


Then we took the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui to Admiralty. At exit B of Admiralty MTR is the Ocean Park bus stop. We bought bus tickets (Citybus No. 629) and also the Ocean Park admission tickets (HK$250; RM99.25) at the bus/Ocean Park counter. The counter is hard to miss due to long queues. Total journey to Ocean Park took 10 mins only. No jam baby!

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Oversea, Travel

A Ride On Hong Kong Star Ferry – How To & Tips

Star Ferry is the main ferry operator in Hong Kong that carry locals and tourists across Victoria Harbour between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.

Like eating dim sum, I missed riding the Star Ferry in my 1st visit there. So I make sure one of my top priority for my 2nd visit would be riding the 100-year old Hong Kong Star Ferry. πŸ™‚

The National Geographic Traveler named the ferry crossing as one of the ‘Must-Do’s’ in its ‘Place of a Lifetime’ series which featured 50 cities. The ferry ride is also well known as one of the world’s best value-for-money sightseeing trips. ~source from Star Ferry site

So how was the ride? It was lovely, exciting and pleasant! One ride is too short though! Everyone should ride the Hong Kong Star Ferry at least once in their visit there. But I bet ya you would like to ride the Star Ferry many times after that.

Let me share with you now my experience riding on the Star Ferry including how to and tips.


I stayed in Kowloon side at YMCA, Tsim Sha Tsui. So it’s just a short walk to Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier.

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Oversea, Travel

Hong Kong Day 2: Star Ferry, Man Mo Temple & Gage Street Market

Do check out Hong Kong Day 1: Airport Express, Thematic Lantern Exhibition & Heritage 1881 before reading my day 2 adventure.

On day 2, the fog continue to smoother Victoria Harbour. I have expected it. This is the kind of ‘weather’ you get during January/February in Hong Kong. At 10am, we walked to Star Ferry pier, Tsim Sha Tsui which is just few minutes from YMCA.


Boarding Star Ferry.
This is my first time on board the famous Star Ferry.

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