DAY 1

7:40 am Arrived in Hong Kong rushing to head to City Gate outlet hoping to catch the early worm. We rode the S-1 bus to Citygate outlets cost us HKD3.00 and the trip was less than 7 mins. Citygate is right at the bus terminal and Tung Chung MTR station definitely you wont miss it.

TRAVEL TIP: Please prepare exact change bus drivers do not have change. You pay with the octopus card or exact change which you drop in a bin beside the driver

9:00am The stores were still closed although the entrances are open so you could walk around. Theres also a coffee shop on the top floor but we decided to eat at Delifrance which is right next to the main entrance. The set meal for sausages, omelettes, bread, and coffe/orange juice costs HKD 27.00 

9:45am started walking around the mall but to our DISMAY! only 20% of the stores were open most of the stores open at different times but mostly 1130am and 1230pm. Just made a quick walk around before deciding to head straight to Tsim Tsa Tsui for our hotel

Travel Tip: With the exception of shopping malls most shopping areas in Hong Kong specially Granville Road and Causeway bay open late at around lunch time others around 2pm. Although they close late at around 11-12am.

10:45am Went next door to MTR Tung Chung station tickets to Tsim Tsa Tsui is HKD18.00 the trip was around 40mins 

11:30 am At last! We were in real Hong Kong( lots of people in a hurry, shops everywhere, and numerous neon signs all over) It was a 10 minute walk from the MTR exit to the Park Hotel

Travel Tip: Hotel prices at Tsim Tsa Tsui depends on how near you are to the harbor. Intercon, Marco Polo, and Mandarin hotel has rooms in which you hav a stunning view of Victoria harbor but dont expect the prices to be less than HKD1200/night . Choose a hotel near an MTR exit and located within walking distance of Granville Road, Cameron Road, Nathan Road, Canarvon Road, Park Lane and Miramar shopping Center. 

This is in front of Park Hotel a very convenient location at the corner of Cameron road and Chatham road South. Downstairs you can find a money changer, 7-11, local diners, and Granville road which is full of shops is just a few steps away. very ideal for those with their girlfriends/wives who never gets tired shopping around. MTR station is nearby and taxi to ocean terminal/canton road would cost around HKD15.00 

130PM  MTR to Central was hoping to get to "Li Yuen Street" before the mad crowds arrive. Li Yuen street East and West is so talked about in the net and in some travel maps( ladies shopping and cheap luggage) so we decided to check it out.

We were surpised as we arrived at a small alley with stores on the sides and hawker type stalls at the center( almost missed it as we were expecting more of a closed street with hundreds of stalls). The two ladies standing at the corner are Filipinas offering "gupit" haircut and manicure. I even heard a someone singing her heart out to the tune of Aegis from a 3rd floor window. We were a little bit disappointed as all that was there were some cheap watches, bags, luggage bags, small accessories the only notable store was a costume shop. We also saw a couple of stores selling silk and other fabric. If your looking for these kind of items better go to Mong Kok they have a section for this kind of goods and also sports shoes, electronics, toys and hobbies,and branded botiques.

230pm We were getting hungry due to frustration and also its so past lunch time! Tried Cafe de Coral its a local fastfood chain. Chicken/ Duck set meals cost HKD 22-29.00.

Stay away from the Crispy Sausage as i thought it was something special case it was paired with an Egg tart in the Menu. Its Just plain old sausage!!! never really had the chance to rate the food as we were so hungry at that point and to us everything tasted nice :)

3:00 pm a quick stroll around Queens Road and checked out H&M( downside is winter clothing is already on the racks).  Shops in this area are H&M, Episode, Marks & Spencer, Watch retailers, Bape, Nike, and Bossini. 

Parallel to Queens Road is Stanley Street famous for its Photographic Equipment. Didnt really check out the shops. But to give you an idea they have everything bodies, lenses, filters, tripods, accessories im just not too sure about the pricing, warranty, and service.

Headed back towards MTR station which is located at the hi-end Land Mark Atrium which is the home of a Louis Vuitton store which is almost as big as their store at Canton Road.

5:15 pm arrived at Causeway Bay MTR ride costs HKD7.00 instantly reminds me of the Scene from Tokyo Drift wherein hundreds of commuters were crossing the street in a sea of neon lights. ( tsk tsk wasnt able to take a good pic though) We exited right inside Japanese department store giant SOGO. I was too tired at this point so i decided to just stay at Starbucks while Ella shopped around.( Iced Caramel Machiato small size was about HKD 35.00)

CauseWay Bay stores is more for trendy and street fashion. Ive read somewhere that its similar to Japan shopping districts and the locals mimic Japanese fashion. Three big street fashion centers Island Beverly, Causeway Place, and Fashion walk plus hundreds of stores along the streets. Ella was so mad at this point aside from being dead tired from all the walking shes having a hard time shopping due to the "wierd fashion" and almost all the stores were already selling winter clothing. Next stop would be Nathan road and Kowloon waterfront.

7:20PM MTR station TsimTsa Tsui. we headed towards the farthest exit which will take us to the Avenue of the Stars/Waterfront.We really had no plan to view the Symphony of Lights show but since we had a little time we just wanted to take a peek just so we could gauge how far would it be for our plans tomorrow night. From the MTR exit you have to walk about a 100 meters to New World shopping Center wherein you have to pass through to get to the Avenue of Stars. The view was mesmerizing all those lights and builidngs!!! We were just too exhausted at this point to still walk around and take photos. Ella was so tired but still wanted to have a taste of Mong Kok! we hailed a Cab in which we really were not sure if the driver was taking us for a ride and going the long route.



8:30PM HKD42.00 poorer we arrived at Mong Kok. Arguabley one of the busiest places on earth! People everywhere! Ella took a quick look at Ladies market while i just stayed in a corner and took Photos( i was too tired to walk around!) I saw some really yummy looking dimsum places but Ella found the place too messy...




9:30PM Headed back towards the Hotel.Took the MTR to Tsim tsa Tsui we were so wasted we just decided to take out whatever was available at 7-11 and eat at the hotel room. We got 10pcs. curry fish balls, 2 cup noodles, 1 big sausage, and 2 sodas for around HKD 50.00 pretty expensive for a 7-11 meal.

Phew after a very long day from the airport to Tsim Tsa Tsui, Central, CauseWay Bay, Avenue of Stars, and Mong Kok we already had "cement feet" (feels like your dragging cement blocks in your shoes). Good thing we bought an MTR Tourist one day pass unlimited MTR rides for a 24 hour period for only HKD55.00 which really saved us a lot.

TRAVEL TIP: If you want to go shopping please do your homework as Hong Kong shopping can be very segmented( designer, local designer, and trendy street fashion)