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.


A mini bar (equipped with glass, kettle, teapot), a mini fridge (hidden in the cupboard below mini bar) and a TV.

A closet complete with hangers, large mirror, a luggage area and electronic safe. Funny they don’t provide disposable slippers.

Our bed. It was damn comfy!

An arm chair and TV. This TV was our favorite. Watched Korean drama all night long. Hahaha

The bathroom and bath tub (not in picture). They were clean alright.

Victoria Harbour view.

BUT

Over the right side of the room, our view was blocked by HK Cultural Centre. Argghh!!! SHITE!!!!!!

We immediately phoned reception and asked for a change of room. Their reply: All fully occupied. (betul ke ni?)

Our room was in 9th floor. I really didn’t expect to pay so much only to have the view blocked by a large building. It was stupid of me not to inquire properly during booking. But then that’s because I didn’t expect the most expensive suite to have blocked view ma. Would you? That was a big damper man.

Reception area.

Lobby. Lower area is the restaurant.
How do you pronounce the Chinese characters in Cantonese?

I love this lobby area the most. Superbly decorated.

They also have swimming pool and gym but I wasn’t really interested after getting ‘conned’ by the room view matter.

As for the service, well right from the moment we arrived we were spoken to using Mandarin. In my head I was thinking “Arggh f*cked, they thought we’re China people”. At least speak to us in Cantonese first ma. They weren’t all smiley at the reception. But the room preparation was real fast. Kudos to that.

On the day we checked out, well guess what? Another bad encounter with the reception. We were already there waiting to pay our bill but the officer processes another guest’s check out first. So we’re like ok no problem. Once finished, we wanted to hand our keys to him but hor… isshhh he wanted to handle the next guest who’s standing behind us. Wei!!! Are you blind or what? We’ve been standing there for like 5 minutes and the guest behind us only arrived just a few moments ago. The difference? The man behind was wearing a coat and we’re like umhh China people? Hahaha

Another thing I almost forget. I realized the doorman only open door for Westerners. Never once has the doorman open the lobby door for us. Sad case. Hai!!!

All in all the room is really big and I like the bed and TV. Hahaha To those who wanted to book this similar suite remember to ask for level 16 (that’s the highest level). It was an enjoyable stay except (yes again) the VIEW!!! and the services shown to us. All I wish is for them to be more courtesy towards their guests no matter what their backgrounds are and please SMILE! They looked so serious man. Hahahaha

Ok, let’s continue with day 5 and day 6.

We woke up quite late on day 5 as the roads in many parts of Hong Kong were closed to traffic due to Hong Kong Marathon event (including Nathan road). Watched the marathon a little from the comfort of our room. By the time we head out for breakfast at Nathan Road vicinity, there were no rubbish in sight. I’m amazed man.

I promised (in Day 1 post) that I will show you the view of Heritage 1881 from our room… here it is:

Heritage 1881. On the far left is Star Ferry pier and bus stand.

Isn’t this lovely? Huge tree on top of a tower.

For breakfast, we had noodles at Yuen Kee Noodles Restaurant. Then we went for a shopping spree at Cameron Road, Granville Road, Kimberly Road and so on…

Just the sight of the famous red taxi will make me excited. Coz it tells me I’m in Hong Kong! Haha

Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre at Nathan Road.

We shopped until we could walk no more. Lunch was McD (yeah I know of all things! too malas I guess). By then it was near evening and we head back and rest. One of the reason I wanted to stay in a harbour view room is because I wanted to watch the Symphony of Lights right from the comfort of my bed.

So at 8pm for 15 minutes long, we were thrilled by the dancing lasers and lights from buildings across Victoria Harbour. You can also watch this lovely treats at Avenue of Stars, at Hong Kong Island and on board Star Ferry! I heard the ferry will stop in the middle of the harbour to let you enjoy the lovely view.

Unfortunately as you already know, part of our room view were blocked by Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

It was breathtaking alright… but the blocking is really isshh!! Hahaha It’s like I can only watch half of the screen. LOL

Entertaining until the end. 🙂

After that we took a taxi to Temple Street (Miu Kai). Wanted to try Mido Cafe and yet again I was too late. They were closing for the day. Isshhh! Twice in 2 visits to Hong Kong. What a record! Hahaha

So we went to our favorite eatery which is Wai Kee Restaurant for the claypot rice. Read my review at Messy Witchen. Since this was our last night in Hong Kong, we tapau-ed some of the desserts we enjoyed so much during our first visit here.

Behold…

Deep-fried oyster cake from Hing Kee. Since we were not satisfied with Wai Kee’s deep-fried oyster cake, we decided to tapau from Hing Kee. Hmm it’s better by a bit only.

Mango drinks from Hui Lau Shan, milk custards from Yee Shun Milk Company and tong shui from Wo Kee. All bought from Nathan Road and Temple Street area.

The next day, we woke up at 5am. It was time to go back home. Took the K2 bus to Kowloon Station and then Airport Express to HKIA. Ohh we returned back our Octopus card at Kowloon Station.

Checked-in our luggage in terminal 2 then walk a long way to terminal 1. Tired!

Spent about RM370 for the return Hong Kong Air Asia flights (including meals, pick-a-seat, tax). Not bad eh?

I am already thinking what I’ll eat next in my 3rd trip there. Hahaha
Hong Kong is intoxicating!!! Wohoooooo