Lost In The City: Hong Kong... for the 5th Time, A Symphony of Lights & Tsim Sha Tsui (Day 1)

Hong Kong by heart...

I have been here before, it's all too familiar to me. The lights, the sounds, the smell, the pace and the attitude all conjure an unmistakable identity. I know this place more than I know most of the cities back home. This is the first country I ever visited, the most I have visited and yet somehow the feeling of excitement over doing the same things and going to the same places remain. Maybe it's because we were celebrating our parent's wedding anniversary or that this was my first time traveling with my grandparents or just the fact that it's Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Island seen from Kowloon

It was the last week of July 2011, the temperature was really hot to coincide with HK's major SALE season and we had 3 days (plus 2 in Macau) to experience the hustle & bustle of of it all. We arrived in the afternoon via Philippine Airlines to Chek Lap Kok Airport. Massive, idiot proofed, and a worthwhile time killer for long stopovers. There are plenty dinning & shopping options, a gaming center, numerous exhibits, and everything a tourist needs. Visa is not required for Philippine passport holders staying 14 days or less. Transportation to the city is easy either via Airport Express Train (HK$ 140, fastest), Cityflyer bus (HK$ 40, cheapest) <Cityflyer Hotel Stops> or taxi (HK$ 500, convenient). Taxis in Hong Kong are metered, economical (for 3 or more persons) and comfortable. Drivers are honest and speak very little English.

The improved meal from PAL

Always a nice, strange feeling

The Lantau Link from the taxi

We took a taxi to the YMCA Salisbury Hotel which is located very close to all the shopping at Nathan Road and rests on the foot of an MTR exit. We were able to avail a promo offered three months in advance in the hotel's official website and paid HK$ 935 per room per night. The rooms were big compared to Hong Kong standards and we also got upgraded during our first night.

I don't like searching for hotels in Hong Kong. Most are expensive, offer small rooms, give bad service, and offer no perks (like free breakfast, or airport pick-up). The airfare may be cheap, but the cost of living is high.

Here is a list of hotels that I recommend in Hong Kong (and I've wasted a lot of hours):

- YMCA Salisbury (Tsim Sha Tsui)

- Marco Polo / Gateway / Prince (Tsim Sha Tsui)

- Hotel Panorama by Rhombus (Tsim Sha Tsui)

- Citadines Ashley (Tsim Sha Tsui)

- Butterfly on Prat (Tsim Sha Tsui)

- Holiday Inn Golden Mile (Tsim Sha Tsui)

- Metropark (Causeway Bay)

- Park Lane (Causeway Bay)

- Holiday Inn Express (Causeway Bay)

YMCA Hotel

Buti siya sa sofa, ako sa sahig!

Separate Office Area, upgrade's perks

After check-in, we decided to watch the Symphony of Lights at the Avenue of Stars which is just across our hotel. It's a 15-minute lights show emanating from the tall skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island every 8 pm. The buildings are fascinating to look at, with the standouts being the IFC Building, the Bank of China Tower and the HSBC Building. The show itself felt dull and unimpressive and I got bored halfway through the spectacle. The real experience here is admiring the beautiful architecture of Central's buildings and watching as old ferry boats cross the harbor.

View of the Central Skyline

After the show, we had dinner at Food Republic inside the Silvercord Mall across the street from Harbour City. Every time we are in Hong Kong we always end up eating here. Food Republic is a food court offering mostly Chinese food, with a mix of Japanese, Thai, Singaporean and Indian stalls. The food is simple, affordable, clean and taste alright.

Entrance to Harbour City

"Our" Food Court

After dinner, my dad and grandparents decided to return to the hotel. Me, my brother and mom went for a late night stroll around Nathan Road, plus the side streets of Haiphong, Ashley, Hankow, Lock, Peking, Cameron and Granville road. This is the main tourist area in Hong Kong where first timers are recommended to stay because of it's numerous shopping, dining, sightseeing and transportation options. Almost everyone who goes to Hong Kong has been here, especially for the late night sale shopping. To get here, take the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui Station. As my companions spent hours searching for hidden treasures at the Bossinis, Giordanos, and G2000 stores, I tried out the street food. I had some dumplings, sausage, mango juice, and milk tea. Buying food is difficult with the language barrier and the rudeness of some locals but the ability to speak a little Mandarin helped me a lot.