Too busy at work and after work that my backlog on entries is piling up!
Day 2, we woke up at 8am all revved up for our planned trip to Ocean Park. We had to pack our luggage since we were transferring to Marco Polo come evening. We checked out YMCA (HKD 750) at 9am and deposited our things at the luggage counter. Off we went to the station to ride the MTR going to Admiral. I started to love HK’s MTR system. It was so easy to go about town!!! And so quick too. I also love YMCA’s strategic location. It is walking distance to the station, moneychanger, night market, to basically everything! YMCA upgrading us to a grand suite for the price of a standard room makes me remember them in my book! Thanks so much to Karen Z. for suggesting that we stay in YMCA.
While I have to keep inserting coins to get an ala carte card to Admiral, CW has this all access card. We rode the train enjoying being strangers in a foreign land. We got off at Admiral and looked for the bus that goes to Ocean Park. There was a moving line at the ticket booth. Package for roundtrip bus tour to Ocean Park and entrance fee is HKD 230, which is barely PHP1, 500. We rode the double-decker bus.
Ocean Park
Before the HK trip, I have been asking people which between Ocean Park and Disney is better to go to. I only had two and a half days in HK and didn’t have time for both. CW stayed three days longer but only because he has some family business to take care of. Since I’ve been to Disney in Japan, there was no incentive for me to go again –especially in a much smaller and populated version. I asked my family and they all said that I’m going to enjoy more in Ocean Park. I asked friends and got mixed recommendations. I discussed it with CW. If we want a nostalgic experience, then we’d hit Disneyland but if we want something new, then it’s Ocean Park.
Since we both love animals, you know where we headed. I missed the chance to go to Ocean Park and Disneyland when I didn’t go with my family to another trip to Hong Kong. I thought it was all going to be a shopping trip and city tours again.
We arrived Ocean Park around 11am. We had to take three long elevator rides to get to the top. Once on the top, we decided to grab brunch first since it was going to be a long day at the theme park. I ordered ribs, sausage and fries while CW got the fish, sausage and fries. He was served chicken though instead of fish. He didn’t mind since we were both excited to eat. I saw some Chinese eating with their hands. Upon closer inspection, I saw that they had plastic gloves on. I decided to try it, much to CW’s amusement. After 10 minutes, I gave up and ate with fork and knife.
In a nutshell, I really think Ocean Park was a good choice. I enjoyed the exhausting yet exciting day spent there watching the dolphin/sea lion show, seeing different animals like sharks, jellyfish, manta rays, and the rest of the 10,000 leagues under the sea. I totally adore the panda and can stand there for hours watching them eat leaves. For some reason, CW and I thought of Joyce. Haha. I still cannot believe I got talked into riding the Mine Train. I still remember CW’s voice, “Think of it as a prep for Bungee in Macau.” I know it was a kiddie ride for most but it was a whoop ass ride for me!!! Good thing I had an excuse not to ride the Abyss (dextroscoliosis) or I’d get cardiac arrest as I strap on the safety belt!!!
We went back to hotel after Ocean Park. It was 6pm on my watch and we had to freshen up before dinner and night market. We walked to the night market. It was already bustling by 8pm. Since I’ve shopped myself out the day before at Tung Chung, I only grabbed a few insignificant items. CW has got to be the only guy I know who can expire me with shopping. Aren’t boys supposed to hate shopping? I don’t know many boys who have the patience for it as much as he does. While shopping, we grabbed this street food, crispy and spicy squid. It was so yummy I had to buy another one before dinner! We had a late dinner at 930pm. By 10pm, we were in a cab (HKD 30) on our way to Marco Polo.
The second night found us sharing a room with Chris’ parents at Marco Polo (approx. HKD 1,400). While YMCA is conveniently situated in Yau Ma Tei, Marco Polo is appropriately located at the high-end district in Tsim Sha Tsui, where all the designer labels are. Marco Polo is 15-20 minutes walk to Jordan where the male night market is, while YMCA is a few blocks from the ladies market.
Well that is another way of looking at things. It is good to have ones views shaken up once in a while so you’re able to re-examine your personal bias and habits in thinking. I might not agree with everything, however I value your personal insight.