Hong Kong Christmas

It's the season to be jolly because I'll be away for Christmas. I have been  counting down the days since my colleague sets off for his 2.5 weeks holiday, because it'll be my turn when he's be back.

Initial plan was to go as a sibling trip until my first sister cancelled hence only  my second sister and myself confirmed. Both my sister and I have been to Hong Kong before hence we knew what to expect. We've been saving up for our return shopping trip. We also planned a day trip to both Shenzhen and Macau.

Flight was expensive due to the peak period of Christmas, and SQ was the next cheapest flight after JetStar by $100 difference. Of course, we picked SQ but I missed by a day for an earlier flight and a chance to ride the new A380. 

Hotels too were expensive but my sister told me to stick with her last accommodation, Apple Hostel in ChungKing Mansion. It was conveniently located at Tsim Sha Tsui where food and shopping are abundant. Getting around was easy too. Though it's only a hostel, the services available were sufficient and reliable, and of course cheap.

Since both of us never been to Shenzhen during our last visit, we wanted to explore a bit of China. Even with excessive research, the only interesting spot to visit was the Windows of the World. Tickets were about $30 but was is worth it? If u didn't have the chance to travel the world, this is the best place which features many destination location of the world. The whole place is huge and systematically constructed. You'll know you'll in India or America with the clusters of the country's monuments. We did ride up the makeshift Eiffel Tower and I had gittery legs even it's half the size of the original.

Apparently, we got bored after the Eiffel tower and went about with our shopping across the street and returned back to Hong Kong for more shopping.

The third day was a quick trip to Macau. It's time for me to bring my sister over but her intention of Macau were locating food after reading reviews from a magazine. We visited Margret's Cafe near Senado Square for the famous egg tarts and later to the Ruin's of St Paul Cathedral for a quick snap(location checked for my sister). Another of the food location that she wanted to visit was in between Senado Square and the ferry terminal. We didn't really get the transportation route hence decided to walk to the restaurant and then to the terminal. The restaurant Carlos was hyped with review but the food was so-so. 

All attractions have been covered hence the remaining days were spent on shopping. I was in heaven as the rates are approximately 1:6, previously at 1:5 on my last visit. Alas everything seems cheaper. Clothing are season based so there wasn't much Singapore climate-appropriate clothes but other stuffs were a steal. I got shoes, perfumes, bags (orders from others) and all other sorts and still wasn't satisfied. I could have gotten more if not for my budget restriction and luggage space. Shopping was so fun that it lasted till I board the plane home.

After all this shopping, I'm still yearning to return for more especially on the climate appropriate clothes. Due to my next trip, I had to budget my expenses. Now, I'll just have to save up for the next possible shopping break, probably during the spring/summer season.

Next up, Beijing in 3 days time.