Day 2: Dancing in the Rain at Hong Kong Disneyland (Part 4 of 8)

Part 4 of 8
April 5, 2013
Hong Kong Disneyland


After grabbing a quite lunch at McDonalds City Gate Outlet, we were bound for Hong Kong Disneyland - our main destination for the day. From Tung Chung line, we took the MTR to Sunny Bay station and transferred to Disneyland line. It was a quick ride, and the weather was still cloudy (and few drizzles here and there).

We looked like kids, as we were amazed of the Disneyland MTR - purple and with Mickey Mouse's ears as hand rails. Windows are of the famous ears' design too.

As we got off the train, we managed to get a good spot to take the ever famous pose among Disneyland visitors - below the arch. I was literally grining from ear to ear, since I have and always be a Disney baby (at my age, I am affected how they changed the programs at Disney channel). Cloudy skies never affected me, kebs kung naka-payong habang naglalakad sa Disneyland. The point is, I AM AT DISNEYLAND. My land. :)

Anyways, the whole afternoon was spent walking from one point to another at the park. My friends tried the Grizzly Bear coaster, I managed to skip it since I am not a fan of theme park rides. Masaya na akong sumakay sa Carousel. Yes, the duwag in me.

The Lands at Disneyland

The most awaited part of the day is the Disneyland Parade of Characters. We scampered to get a good spot at the road, so we can take pictures. Luckily we were able to find one and eventually loss our temper to some rude Disneyland visitors who pushed us and be our incidental subjects (their elbows, arms and bags).

Honestly, I was preventing my tears to fall as I watched Pinoys dancing at the parade. They would smile widely and waved back as we call them "Kuya" and "Ate". They would also ask "kamusta ang Pinas" when they stopped in front of us. The Pinoys really are the best and happiest peopple in the world.

After the parade, we watched the Golden Mickey's show. My male friend did not like the show at all, since he was more into the thrilling rides (na we don't like at all).

We were tired of walking around and while waiting for the 9:00pm fireworks, we took a rest by riding the Disneyland train (para-paraan). We did line up for photo-ops with the Disney characters.

After a child-like day at Disneyland, we were back to our home sweet hostel by 11pm, ready for another day at Macau! :)


Travel tips:

1. Prepare yourselves on long walks. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. For rainy days like ours, bring umbrellas or you may want to have scarves and hats.

2. Photo-op everywhere. You can see Disney characters all around, and you can take pictures with them, any time. Just make sure your cameras are user friendly, just in case you want a group picture. Disneyland employees are always ready to help.

3. For those who wanted some thrilling rides, there are only three at Disneyland - The Grizzly Mountain, Space Mountain and The Army Drop at Toy Story Land. Others are for kids and kids-at-heart (those who dont want adrenalin rush).

4. Photo-ops with the Disney characters are behind the Mad Hatter's ride, and near the Disneyland Express back station.

5. If you are tired of walking, take the Disneyland Express. You can rest for a while on the train.

6. Take a Disneyland map, begin at the far end of the land. Our route was: Toy Story Land --> Adventureland --> Parade of Characters at Main Street --> Golden Mickey's Theatre --> Tomorrow Land --> Disneyland Express --> Its a Small World --> Disneyland Characters Photo-ops --> Main Street for the Fireworks.

7. Do not miss the fireworks and parade. If you are not into rides, you can be there at 3pm on time for the 4pm Parade, walk at other Lands and wait for the 9pm fireworks. 6 hours will do to cover the park (and definitely tiring as it is 90% walkathon).

Day 2: Foggy Day at the High Land (Part 3 of 8)

Part 3 of 8
April 5, 2013
Ngong Ping 360 and The Giant Buddha


Sadly, the weather didn't improve on our second day. Despite this, we still decided to continue with our journey and be happy. After the lost of keys and missing octopus cards, we were bound for Ngong Ping 360 by 8 in the morning. We took the MTR from Mongkok to Lai King Station, transferred to Tung Chung line and arrived at the Tung Chung station as the last terminal.

On our way to Ngong Ping

Announcement was made at the MTR that the cable cars to and from Ngong Ping station are temporarily suspended due to strong winds and fog. We didn't panic though, since I read in one of the blogs that we can take a bus to and from Ngong Ping. So after exiting the station, we walked to the bus station right under the cable car terminal. Announcements on the PA system mentioned that the cable cars will resume shortly, but we didn't take it anymore since we didn't know how short the waiting time will be.

Tung Chung marker - seen from the bus

Bus no.23 - one that will take you to and from the Village

Directional Markers. Where every place is and how far they are.

The bus trip was more like a Baguio road trip - zigzag roads, cliff-hanging turns and trees all over. After about 30 minutes on the road, we finally arrived at Ngong Ping. To sadden us more, we can't see anything when we got off. We have to navigate around the area as blind mice. We got to see the views when we are two or three feet away from it.


Up at the Village

We still decided to go up the Giant Buddha despite the fog. We never got the chance to count how many steps are, since we are thinking of happy thoughts to keep our hopes high on seeing the Buddha. We got somehow lucky, we can still see the Buddha's outline despite the thick fog. We didn't stay for long, because we were bound for Disneyland after Ngong Ping. We got excited on this part of the day, and nothing will ruin it.

One of the many armies at the Park.

Large bowl at the center of the park.

For the Giant Buddha

We can see you - your hand and your pedestal.

We walked towards Ngong Ping Village, checked out the Chopsticks museum and store and headed out for the cable cars. Good thing we already purchased our tickets through CTS and there were no lines when we arrived at the terminal. Positive things kept on coming since the cable cars resumed their operations. And this is the dreaded part of this day.

Piazza marker

Lantau island map

Where to go next?

Chopsticks! (I didn't buy though kahit super tempted na ako)

My Confession

I never liked heights and I thought it was just a short ride down. The air didn't help either, nor the windows. We can hear the wind blowing since our windows are open, and the car is swinging since the winds are quite strong. I liked swings by the way, but swinging at about 10,000 feet above ground is a big no-no. My brain didn't cooperate either, I kept on thinking whether I'd survive when the cable car got detached on this line, where will they find my body. (Imaginations, where are you when I needed you the most? And why now?)

Cable cars. Some were empty, others have passengers.

Good thing it was foggy, we cannot see what's below us, or else, I won't be able to smile at our cameras and will just kept on holding at the railings. There were 6 or 7 stops before we finally reached the end. I managed to calm my nerves when I can finally see the City Gate Outlet Mall since it was a sign that we are finally leaving the harsh moments of my entire HK journey.

Museum near City Gate Outlet Mall

Nakakatuwa dahil may "Maligayang Pagdating". Taken when we were leaving the Cable Car terminal.

I still managed to smile when we got off the cable car, after about 30 minutes of ride of my life. One, we survived. Two, we kept on waving at other cable car passengers as they go up, and they waved back at us. Three, it simply means that we are bound for Disneyland after a quick lunch.



At the City Gate Outlet

For shopping, City Gate Outlets Mall is the place to be. Several shops - Nike, Gap, Adidas and many more outlet stores can be found here, thus the mall's name. Despite my itching hand to buy a new pair of shoes, I didn't since I don't want something on my hands as I leisurely walk at Disneyland.

We just grabbed a quick lunch at McDonalds and we head off to Disneyland.



Travel tips:

1. For a foggy day in Tung Chung, you may want to take the cable car as you go down from the Village. There is nothing to see on your way up (views will always be on your back, unlike when you are going down, you can snap photos as views get bigger).

2. Leave early when you want to take the bus. The Village is open early in the morning. And it is quite small, and store items around the Village can also be found at the flea markets down below.

3. For foggy days like our visit, bring a towel. You will really looked like "fresh-from-the-shower" because of the fog and dew. Wet hair, wet face and damp clothes. Make sure that you are wearing "ready-for-wet-lands" footwear. Or bring slippers, there's no dress code around the area.

4. Visit the Giant Buddha museum, entrance is free. Pictures are prohibited inside the museum, but you can take as many photos as you want outside.

5. City Gate Outlet Stores visit will definitely take a day and money out of you. So be prepared. However, limited sizes of shoes and clothes available.