Stepping into a new continent a week in Hong Kong COMPLETED - Page 11 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
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Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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Sunday 17 February part four: how much to get back down again?
Fortunately, we got a seat on the tram and as we rode up, you could see how stunning the skyline looked at night.
The view on the way up
My goodness, the views up at the Peak are much better at night. I think part of that is because you cant see the pollution and you also cant see that some of the high rise buildings are actually flats. Thats quite disturbing during the day as you just cant imagine how people live in these things.
We headed outside first before dinner to get some photos and, although it was busy up there, we had no problems finding somewhere to get our photos from.
These were taken trying out a new setting on my camera
Then it was up to Pearl on the Peak to rescue our book from yesterday. That done, we headed upstairs to check into Bubba Gumps. We had gone for that, as we thought that it had the best views on the advertisements we had seen and the food was reasonably priced. Its just as well we booked the day before, as we got a great window table with a wonderful view over the Hong Kong skyline. Mark later heard them say something about these tables are saved for guests with reservations.
We have never been in there before, although there are a lot in the States, including at Universal Citywalk in Orlando. We were fascinated to find out that outside the States they have four or five branches in Japan, one in Mexico, one in Indonesia and one here, but none in Europe at all. Odd.
For appetiser, I went for the New England clam chowder and for main course, I had the crab stuffed shrimps. Oh my goodness, there was just way too much of that. I didnt even try the rice that went with it and just tried my best to finish the shrimp, which was a battle in itself.
Mark had the gumbo shrimp, which was a little on the spicy side and, for main course, he had the ribs and chicken. He ended up with half a chicken, seriously. Honestly, they dont skimp on their portions here.
With a beer for Mark and a cocktail for me, the bill came to HK$640, about £45 for the two of us. Not bad at all. We lingered over our food, giving us time to watch the Symphony of Lights for our table. It wasnt as great as I was hoping. Yes, you could see the lights on the buildings, but it was a bit of a shame that you couldnt see the lights on top of the buildings beaming up into the sky. That was what I expected to see from up there.
When it finished, we walked round for a bit, but it was getting cold, so we decided to head back down. However, the line for the tram was mad. We reckoned that we would be there at least half an hour, so we checked to see how much a taxi would be. The guy we spoke said HK$200, but more worrying was the fact that he didnt seem to know where our hotel was. I really didnt want to get in a cab where the driver doesnt know where hes going, so we went back to the tram line and waited for that taxi to move off. When he did, Mark went to ask the next guy how much it would cost. Imagine our surprise when he said HK$120 and he knew where we were talking about, so we jumped in.
It was the right decision, as we were back at the hotel in about 15 minutes. Money well spent methinks. After sorting out the photos and watching the final of Amazing Race Asia (very interesting, why dont we have this at home?), it was off to bed.
Today we walked 8.44 miles. The weather today was in the 50s and cloudy with some sun and some fog. The best thing today was seeing the Buddha. The worst thing today was how foggy it got while we were up there. Today we tried going up to the Peak at night And the result was its even more beautiful then. The most magical moment today was reaching the top of the steps to the Buddha.
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What stunning shots of the city at night And a yummy meal (with great view) as well Glad you found a cab driver that knew where he was going, for half the cost of the other one More please
Just getting caught up, Cheryl. Omg, your report is fascinating and the photos are STUNNING. I can't even believe those photos from The Peak, especially the nighttime ones. Fantastic.
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As usual great pictures...it really is such a difference when you see the skyline at night compared to the daytime. It really is scary to see some of those buildings and how many families must live in them...living all the way up top is not for me, I am very happy living on the 2nd floor and knowing if I had to jump there is a good likelyhood that I might break a leg but that I would live to tell the tale.
You dinner at Bubba Gump looked delicious, we have one in the city yet I have never been there....after looking at your shrimp I think I must take my daughter there (however I will stick to the chicken). A nice filling meal as you and Mark have been doing so much walking....those stairs to the Budda would have been enough for me....lol
It really amazes me how clean the subway looks....and the station - that was the real shocker. I don't think I have ever seen a subway station look like that.
I am so enjoying your trip report and can't wait to hear all about your Disney Day....
Monday 18 February part one: a real Disney train!
I really wasnt ready for the wake up call when it came today, but I couldnt be too miserable, as it was time to head off to Hong Kong Disneyland today. When we got up, again there was Tai Chi going on outside our window:
We had breakfast and caught the subway over to the Sunny Bay station, where there was a Hong Kong Disneyland line train waiting for us. I didnt realise that it would be so wonderfully themed. I knew that in Tokyo that had Mickey shaped windows, but it seems that was such a good plan that they brought it over here too. How magical and Im not ashamed to say that my eyes filled with tears when I saw it.
There was more when we got inside, with the statues of the Disney greats littered throughout the train and beautiful blue plush seating, along with Mickey handles in the ceiling to grab hold of. It really was like stepping into another world and its clear that the Imagineers had a lot of fun putting this together.
The rich theming continued when we got to the station. I love the sense of anticipation that they build us, as first you go up the stairs or escalator and then emerge from the station to be greeted with the welcome to Hong Kong Disneyland sign.
Then you walk to the main fountain of a whale, with Mickey surfing above it, that greets you with Disney characters dotted around it. I really wasnt expecting any of that. I genuinely thought that you would just come out of the station and almost be straight into the park. It was such a pleasant surprise.
There was no line to get tickets, so two tickets purchased, we got in line for the gates. The park had just opened and you go through security and then through the turnstiles.
The view from the fountain up towards the gates The detail above the entrance Chinese New Year celebrations
As soon as we were through, we got photos taken in front of the railway station and Mickey topiary by a Disney photographer who used our cameras as well as his. Here, they dont have Photopass. Its the old system of handing you a piece of paper that allows you to look at your photos at the photo place in Town Square later on in the day. You can choose which images to buy, but again, theres no way to buy all of your images on CD, which is a shame.
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Just catching up on your report. For our brief time in HK we stayed in Kowloon. I wish we had had more time there because it was really neat. That bamboo scaffolding is incredible.
Serenity is really enjoying your pictures too. She really liked the HK Disney pics. And we both want more!
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I really didnt want to get in a cab where the driver doesnt know where hes going, so we went back to the tram line and waited for that taxi to move off. When he did, Mark went to ask the next guy how much it would cost. Imagine our surprise when he said HK$120 and he knew where we were talking about, so we jumped in. 
And a yummy meal (with great view) as well 
Glad you found a cab driver that knew where he was going, for half the cost of the other one 
More please 
, I am very happy living on the 2nd floor and knowing if I had to jump there is a good likelyhood that I might break a leg but that I would live to tell the tale.
When we got up, again there was Tai Chi going on outside our window: 
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