Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Arrival at Hong Kong

This is the second part of our 4-days-3-nights Hong Kong-Macau Adventure.

Our flight to Hong Kong is at 5:40 am so we had to arrive at NAIA at around 3:00 am. Checking in was not that long, after which we went to the Travel Tax section to pay 1,620php/person (ouch!). Once you have paid for this, return back to the counter to get your tickets. Before entering to the immigration counter, we again paid 550php/person for the International Terminal Fee. Once inside, get the Immigration Counter form and fill it up. After doing so, just fall in line at the immigration counter and wait your turn. Ours took just around less than 30 minutes, we had a bit of a questioning moment from the immigration officer, probably because we look like young kids on our own haha but when they saw our ID, they let us in without a hassle.

NAIA Airport

Immigration Counter Form

Things to remember before going through Immigration:

1. Bring your own ballpen for filling up the form
2. Prepare all the necessary documents: ID, flight itinerary, hotel itinerary/letter just to be sure
3. Of course, prepare your passport
4. NO PICTURE TAKING at the Immigration line!

Don't Forget Your Passport!

We had breakfast at the Hungry Juan counter which costs 100php + per meal. It was a bit steep but we had no choice because all the other stores are still closed. So a bit of an advice, if your flight is as early as this, better buy food at the 2nd floor of NAIA terminal before checking in as they have more food choices there.

Hungry Juan with a Minion

Our airplane arrived promptly and we were able to depart NAIA at exactly 5:40 am. The flight was smooth and uneventful though the leg room of the plane was not that comfortable. During the flight, the stewardess gave out Immigration Forms for HK that we had to fill up again.

Now boarding!

We arrived at Hong Kong International Airport at around 7:30 am. There was a shuttle van waiting to take us to the airport itself. When we got there, a lot of HK personnel are at the entrance and you have to go through them (take note, this is not the immigration counter). Again, a bit of a bad luck for us, we were stopped by one of them and were told to be seated for awhile. Imagine our anxiety while we were waiting for them haha! It was actually kind of irritating because the personnel did not even explain why he held us up and made us wait for around 10 minutes before talking to us. It was a bit rude truth be told. Anyway, after all the passengers have gone through, finally, the man talked to us and just asked us for IDs and stuffs. We were able to provide everything and then he let us went through, at last! And since we were the last one already, the line at the immigration was a bit long but it took us around 20-30 minutes in line. Again, the personnels there are really rude, they would suddenly shout at you in Chinese, nonetheless, and when you tell them to speak to you in English, they won’t do so and just continue shouting and gesturing. (parang nakikinita na namin ang ugali ng mga intsik na to dun pa lang haha). Anyway, we were able to pass through immigration without any questions, we just showed them our ID.

Now, the fun part begins! Hong Kong International Airport is huge! And very, very clean and white! Although I prefer Singapore airport, still HKIA is very nice. There were a lot of signs in English and Chinese pointing you to the exit or to the public transportations so there’s no chance you’d get lost.

A Glimpse of HKIA

English/Chinese Signs All Over

We headed first to the Customer Service Counter to buy the popular Octopus Cards. By the way, there is a small counter before the exit where you could find various maps of HK. It’s for free so don’t forget to get one (or in our case, we got all!). Anyway, the Customer Service Counter is huge and is in the middle of the airport so it’s not a problem looking for it. The Octopus Card costs 150hkd/card but the 50hkd is a deposit wherein you could refund it before leaving HK. After that, we headed off to the CTS Counter to buy various tickets. We had a bit of a problem locating the CTS counter because it was so small and it’s a bit hidden but you just have to go straight and look for it on the right side, you would eventually see it. We bought the Ocean Park Tickets here which costs only 240hkd/person (250 if you buy it at Ocean Park itself).

Straight Ahead is the CTS Counter

After that, we headed back to the exit going to the Bus Stations. This is located near Hall B. Again, just look at the signs above and you won’t get lost. We boarded Citybus A21 going to Tsim Sha Tsui where Mirador Mansion is. The fare was 33hkd/person. We were so amazed with the Octopus Card haha, it was so convenient, just place it and there you go. Why in the world can’t the Philippines adapt this for our public transportations? The bus was very clean and there is a shelf for your bags. Also, near the driver, there is a small screen there which flashes the next exit that the bus would stop to which is very nice especially if you’re a tourist and it is your first time there.

The Way to the Bus Terminal

Citybus A21 Terminal

Citybus A21

This is the buzzer to press if you want to go down

So, we had our first glimpse of Hong Kong and it was amazing! Hong Kong is a very urban city but what is amazing about it is they still maintain a bit of a rural side in it. All around the city, you would see trees and mountains and islands untouched by the modern world. In the middle of the highway, there would suddenly be a bunch of trees in the middle which adds to the beauty of the place. Suffice it to say, we were open-mouthed all the way.

First Glimpse of Hong Kong

Buildings All Around

Nathan Road Area

We were supposed to depart at the 13th stop (Tsim Sha Tsui stop) but we weren’t able to go down the bus so we just went down at the 14th stop which was just very near. From the bus stop, just walk a bit and you would eventually see Mirador Mansion (you won’t miss it as there is a sign). And there we are, at Mirador Mansion in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Mirador Mansion

Cosmic Guesthouse Reception Area

Summary of how to go to Mirador Mansion from the Airport:

1. Exit at the area where the bus stations are
2. Ride the Citybus A21
3. Depart at the 13th bus stop (start counting from the airport). Landmarks are a huge white mosque on the right
4. Walk a few miles going towards Mirador Mansion.

Anyway, we reserved a room at Cosmic Guesthouse which is at the 12th floor of Mirador Mansion. The person at the counter was very nice and very accommodating. We were not able to check in yet since our check in time was at 2:00 pm but they allowed us to leave our luggage and just return after. Anyway, we paid our balance, fixed our stuffs, and then left our baggages. Our next thing to do is to change currency. We exchanged money at the Standard Money Changer which is located just inside Mirador Mansion. After that, we headed to the Golden Crown Court Guesthouse right besides Mirador Mansion to buy some more tickets. We got our Disneyland Tickets there for only 400hkd/person (originally at 450hkd) and the Ngong Ping Cable Car at 105hkd/person roundtrip. Yehey for discounted tickets! After all of that, we are finally ready to embark on our adventure, first stop, the Star Ferry!

Standard Money Changer

Golden Crown Court Guesthouse

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES:
Travel tax: 1,620php/person
International Terminal Fee: 550php/person
Octopus Cards: 150hkd/person
Ocean Park Tickets at CTS: 240hkd/person
Bus ride to Tsim Sha Tsui: 33hkd/person
Pay balance at Cosmic Guesthouse: 600hkd
Disneyland Tickets at Golden Crown Court: 400hkd/person
Ngong Ping Cable Car Tickets (roundtrip): 105hkd/person


Read more:
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Preparation Phase
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Star Ferry Ride & Central Station
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Getting to Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Summit Station at Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Waterfront Station at Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Peak Tram and Victoria Peak
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car & Ngong Ping Village
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: HK Disneyland & Main Street USA
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Adventureland in Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Mickey's Waterworks Parade in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Tomorrowland in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Golden Mickeys Show
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Fantasyland in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Toy Story Land in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Grizzly Gulch in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Mystic Point in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Disney in the Stars Fireworks and Souvenir Shopping
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: How to go to Macau
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Macau Fisherman's Wharf
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Senado Square (Largo De Senado)
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Ruins of St. Paul's
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Grand Lisboa Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Wynn Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: City of Dreams Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Venetian Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: IFC Mall and Harbor Times Square
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Tsim Sha Tsui Area and Avenue of the Stars
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Summary