We have always sworn by packaged tours. So when the little one said that he wanted to take the aeroplane for vacation, we automatically searched for the most kid-friendly package.

 

And there was only one in the market - Chan Brothers Little Tots Can Fly which featured family-friendly attractions and late set offs etc.

 

So despite a disappointing Chan Brothers tour to Hong Kong 9 years ago, we went ahead with the booking. This time round, Chan Brothers did one better; they managed to disappoint us even before the tour.

 

A few weeks after the booking, I made a call to check for updates. Turned out, till then we were the only ones to signed up. And the person-in-charge confirmed that the tour is unlikely to take place. He even blurted that nobody else signed up probably because the package is overpriced!

 

So with the last minute cancellation, we had no choice but to do the unprecedented: plan our own trip!

 

We spent the next 2 days scrambling to do research on trip advisor and travel blogs, plan the itinerary and book price-inflated aeroplane/ accommodation/ attraction tickets (thank you very much Chan Bros!)

 

And... we assembled our very own travel lenses 6D5N Hong Kong – little Coven can fly package, which boasts of flying Singapore Airlines, 2-day visit to Disneyland, 2-night stay in Disneyland Hollywood Hotel, visit to Victoria Peak, Ngong Ping 360 and tram, cable car and boat cruises.

 

If you interested in ‘signing up’ for our package, here is the itinerary + admin instructions. 

 

With our flight at 7.30 am, we set the alarm for 4 am but the little one had other ideas, waking up at 2.30 am asking for scrambled eggs!

 

 

All cleaned up and ready to go!

 

 

Other than waking up 1.5 h prematurely, everything went according to plan: we reached Changi Airport Terminal 3 at 5.30 am, retrieved our boarding passes from the automated kiosks, checked in our luggage and collected the Changi Recommends Wifi Router for internet connectivity throughout the 6 days.

 

 

It was the little one’s maiden flight so in preparation, we went to the library to search for books on aeroplanes and stumbled upon the perfect book: I explore the airport.

 

With his excellent memory, he knew exactly what to expect from collecting our boarding passes, checking in luggage, going through metal detectors and walking on the air bridge to the aircraft!

 

 

The aeroplane took off punctually as scheduled.

 

 

Having been awake for the threshold of 5 hours, the little one fell asleep quickly after take off and we had the luxury of sneaking in some in-flight entertainment with 'The Big Bang Theory' and 'Friends'.

 

 

 

 

Note: If (1) you want a kids meals for your child and (2) your flight tickets were booked using a third party platform (e.g. expedia), you must log into the SIA booking management to reserve a kids meals. Adhoc requests will be rejected as the crew would prepare the exact number of kids meal. If the booking system do not have the option of a kids meal (like in our case), you will need to email them to reserve.

 

We touched down in Hong Kong at quarter to noon!

 

 

 

Right after clearing immigration, we bought our Airport Express tickets (HK$150 for Group of 2 to Kowloon Station) and collected the pre-booked Octopus Card (like our EZlink card) with HK$50 credit at Booth A13. The little one had a whale of a time wheeling our suitcase while waiting.

 

 

 

Our first meal in Hong Kong is McDonalds! –_-

 

 

After filling up on nuggets and fries, we got on the Airport Express train to Kowloon Station.

 

 

At Kowloon Station, we transferred to the free complimentary shuttle bus K1. It is really convenient and the directional signs are idiot-proof. Although the MTR website stated that passengers will need to show proof in the form boarding pass and airport express tickets, we were simply whisked up the bus.

 

In Hong Kong, the bus drivers drive fast and furious so hang on tight to your seat. We alighted at the 1st stop just round the corner to our lodging – Shamrock Hotel.

 

Reasons for choosing Shamrock Hotel: (1) right next to Jordan MTR Station (Exit C1), (2) walking distance to temple street/ ladies street/ Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, (3) good breakfast buffet, (4) reasonable price.

 

 

Hit a little hiccup while checking in. The staff requested for the actual credit card used for the booking and payment and I had brought along another card instead. Thankfully I had in my email the electronic bill statement for the card so I had to email them a screenshot as proof.

 

Otherwise, they would have required me to make another payment after which they will proceed to refund the earlier payment. Bear in mind that there will be additional foreign transaction fees incurred for the additional payment.

 

Note: (1) Bring along the credit card that you had used for booking and payment for the hotel would require proof of ownership and (2) Shamrock Hotel requires a HK$300 deposit which will be refunded when you check out.

 

 

 

As the hotel was packed, we were allegedly given a room upgrade! Views of the precinct from our 9th floor room.

 

 

It seems like the hotel had undergone a recent renovation with the scent of newly installed furniture lingering in the air.

 

Mama was full of praise for the hotel. While there were no elaborate attention to style, the rooms and utilities were simple, thoughtful and functional. There were the usual mini-bar (green tea and bottled water), toiletries and towels.

 

 

Check out the usb wall socket! However, for reasons unknown, it didn’t work with the cables that we brought along so we stuck to our original chargers.

 

 

Time out for an extended nap to compensate for the early morning.

 

 

Acclimatising through watching Hong Kong movies (Infernal Affairs) on TV. Lau Tuck Wah!

 

 

After the little one woke up, we walked down the road to Tsim Sha Tsui in search for food. Along the way, our little bus fanatic shrieked with excitement whenever a golden double-decker buses zip by.

 

 

We finally settled on a seemingly local restaurant – The Sweet Dynasty and had our first local meal of shrimp wanton noodles and har gow!

 

 

 

Spotted this interesting menu board which bears the brunt of blatant Google translation: ‘She cut the chicken rice’ anyone?

 

 

After dinner, we strolled down to the promenade, soaking in the charms of the night-time panoramic views and vibrant skyline of Hong Kong island.

 

 

 

We endured the cold winds and waited a good 1 hour for the light show at 8 pm even though we remembered it to be unimpressive from our last visit. And yeah, not much has changed.

 

 

After the show, we walked back to our hotel (~20 mins), washed up and turned in for the night.