HK & Macau Day X - Kick start 2009 at Golden Bauhinia Square

We arrived at our Hostel at 1am after the countdown in Disneyland. Got an late supper at 7-eleven...yummy! Slept at close to 3am after a hot shower and packing up our luggage.

I woke up at about 6am. Refreshed up and left for Wan Chai. As according to the weather forecast, it was extremely cold today. The forecast said that it would be average of 12C for the day but might be 8~9 in the morning. So the forecast was absolutely correct. Even with the jacket, I felt so cold.

Wan Chai Station

Street of HK can be very different within minutes of walk

Wan Chai...this sky rises is just back to back to the rows in the photo before and after

another street of Wan Chai

I took the MTR on the Tsuen Wan line and have an interchange at Admiralty. I arrived at the Wan Chai station at about 7.15am but the Golden Bauhinia Square was a little distance away. However it was very convenient to walk to the square. There were proper pedestrian connecting buildings making it hassle free to move about...no problem with the sun and rain.Golden Bauhinia Square

another perspective of Golden Bauhinia

Tsim Sha Tsui from Golden Bauhinia Square

It was still very early when I arrived at the square but it was already crowded. Many enthusiast photographers were waiting long with their gadgets. Got some great shots of me with the golden bauhinia on the background. Quickly reserved a corner and mark my territory...quite a good spot to capture the whole Enhanced Flag Raising Ceremony. This enhanced ceremony only took place on the 1st of every month. So even I was tired, I didn't want to miss this.

at the Golden Bauhinia Square at 7 in the morning...吃西北風...冷非常冷

The ceremony started exactly at 7.45am. It started with the flag-raising party of 15 Hong Kong police officers accompanied by a 10-man rifle unit all in ceremonial dress marched out. Following next was the playing of the national anthem by the Police Band together with the national flag and the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) hoisting. The ceremony continued with a 10-minute musical performance by the Police Pipe Band.

Police Band of Hong Kong

playing National Anthem

flag raising party

Flag of China and Hong Kong

After the ceremony, I took the MTR to Central. I wanted to see the city under the broad daylight...especially the Legislative Council. On my way there, I got a quick instant breakfast. This time it was a macaroni soup with sausage and egg at the famous Maxim's Express with a smooth hot milk tea...a complete breakfast to kick start the day.

Central MTR station

Legislative Council

After the visit around the area, I went back to the hostel for a hot shower and left for the airport.
And at the airport, I could not resist but to have another serving of 許流山...yummy yummy yummy...finally manage to get the signature dish...

my last 許流山 serving...mango and pomelo...best combination...excellent dessert

Rushed to get the Yuen Long Lou Po Pheng and board the flight back to KLIA on MH73...another drink onboard to celebrate the end of my trip and for a good nap...transited at KLIA and managed to arrive in Penang at 11pm.

As a whole this was a pretty good trip...lots of walking and lots to see and eat in HK...I love the food, the culture, the pace but less the people.

HK & Macau Day IX - Countdown at Disneyland, Hong Kong

My last day of year 2008....

It was a very long day. The day started at 8am.

First I went to the Watson on the opposite road. I bought 1 more Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean. It was only HKD199 where else in Malaysia this toothbrush will cost me more than RM120.

After an instant breakfast at 7-eleven, we left Tsim Sha Tsui for Disneyland on MTR with an interchange at Lai King and Sunny Bay. I was really excited the moment I boarded the train at Sunny Bay. The train to Disneyland was so nice and different. It has special Mickey shape window panels and many Disney related decorations in the cabin.

the Disney MTR...connecting Sunny Bay to Disneyland station

First we queued to get our ticket...it was really very expensive...HKD350 for a day... :-( We were given a special hologram goggle for firework watching at the entrance. At the entrance, there was a Mickey face shape plant arrangement. Really fantastic...felt like I was living in my childhood. How lucky children today?

at the main entrance...so excited...

the Main Station of Disneyland Hong Kong and Mickey plant at entrance

We walk into the Main Street, USA. First we walked into the Main Terminal and boarded the steam train. The train took us round the whole park, passing through the mysterious Adventureland, the children dream park of Fantasyland and the futuristic Tomorrowland.
Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad. After the train ride, we went on another ride on the Main Street Vehicles. It was a double-decker bus. It went round the Main Street of USA passing through those old shops of USA and the beautiful Sleeping beauty Castle on the back.

double-decker...dont look at the double decker only...see the 'yeng chai' ...he was the operator of the vehicles

Next, I managed to join in the Animation Academy. Believe me, I would surely be one of the best student of the day...everyone were admiring my drawing...my Santa Mickey was perfect. Well I did thought of being an artist. Did dream of living as an artist, living leisure and no stress life but another side of me was too realistic...telling me that this world was very realistic...money is something, though not everything. Next to the academy was the Art of Animation Gallery. There were lots of hand-drawings...they were perfect drawings from those animations...I will need to brush up my drawing skills to be able to join their team :-)

very nice isn't it? original piece of....

Lim Sze Wan...i have my signature there...no kidding :P

the Mickey and friends...they are older than you and me

another great piece...and it was not mine...haha

Xmas tree at Main Stree, USA

with Santa and great gals

We walked around the Main Street, USA. We took photos at the UPS delivery van, the grand Christmas tree and a big happy family photo with Mr Santa Clause. We enjoyed window shopping along the main street. Then we quickly reserved our set in front of the stage for the Royal Christmas Ball. It was a dance ball by Mickey and friends with the Disney Prices and Princesses. Glad to be able to catch the show. We visited the Mickey's Christmas House too...such a happening Christmas! I was so happy to get a big hug from Mickey Mouse...and we bumped into Mulan...

Princes and Princesses of Disney appearing in Royal Chrostmas Ball

at Mickey's fire place and with the X'mas socks

trying on Minnie's shoes...almost fell off

with Mickey...say cheezzzzzz

typical Mulan look...guess only available at Disneyland Hong Kong

Then we rushed to Adventureland to catch the 3pm Festival of the Lion King show at the Theater in the Wild. This was the best show of the day. The performers sang and dance very well...and with the fire and drum, they made the Lion King and all the animals of the kingdom alive.




After the show, we took our late lunch at the Tahitian Terrace. I got myself a hot dumpling noodle soap to warmth myself in this cold day. The dumplings were good but surely didn't worth the price. :S

We continued our excitement on the Raft to Tarzan's House. The raft was the only way we could go over without getting ourselves wet. The Tarzan's House was situated in the middle of the lake on a huge tree. We met Tarzan and his lady as well as King Kong at their home.

Tarzan's house on the other side

Then we took the Jungle River Cruise. We were accompanied by our Canto speaking guide. They did have English and Mandarin speaking guide service but the queue for Canto was the shortest. I was glad that I could understand and speak Cantonese fluently. The cruise took us through the man made tropical forest..passing through the fire cave, the naughty baby Elephant which water us. Before leaving the Adventureland, we manage to catch the Liki Tikis...

Jungle River Cruise Pier from Tarzan's House

Then we moved on to Fantasyland...this was where all our childhood dream situated in...all princesses and castles here. First, we walked into the Sleeping Beauty Castle with high towers and cone roof and bridge leading to the entrance of the castle. Upon walking into the castle, we came to the Pooh Corner. Lot's of Pooh items on sale here...

the Sleeping Beauty's Castle

me and the Sleeping Beauty Castle

my dream castle...don't mind sleeping long

at the gate of the castle

Pooh Corner

Pooh for sale...

We watched the Mickey's Philharmagic to catch the 3D show. This was one of the best 3D show I have ever watched. Mickey and Donald came alive...with all the water splash and wind, it was so real and at times, I tried to catch it with my bare hands...The whole show has been planned and projected perfectly.

Siew Hoon and me in our 3D syok sendiri goggle

After the show, we turned to one of the most kiddy game around. We were on the Dumbo the Flying Elephant. I thought we were the only 2 adults there besides parents who were accompanying the young...really childish but we just love to dwell in childhood. Half way through the long Q, we remembered about another highlight of the day. The last round of Let It Snow Christmas Parade was on. But we just could not give up our places after queuing for such a long time.

By the time we finished the elephant ride, we rushed to the Main Street of USA and we were glad to be able to catch the last few minutes of the show. So at least we didn't missed anything major :D

Let It Snow Christmas Parade

Then we went back into the Fantasyland. Again we were in long queue at Fantasy Garden to catch some close up shots with Mickeys and friends. However it was very disappointing that we were unable to meet Mickey and Minnie. We only managed to take photographs with Donal, Pluto, Pooh and Goofy.

with Donald...and it's a she there

Pooh pooh doesn't seem to be photogenic and active enough

with Goofy...

we love Pluto

Next was the visit to "It's A Small World"...yes the world was so small...within minutes, we passed through all 5 continents, listened to hundreds of languages of 1 song. Then it was the dizzy mizzy Mad Hatter Tea Cups and followed by the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

at the It's A Small World

from Scotland....with the lucky cloves

in Europe...so many countries at one go

Pooh greeting us at 'Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh'

I stopped for a short while for a few hot and spicy fish balls. Though it tasted not as good as those in Mong Kok, it was still very satisfying. A hot snacks to warm my body. Then we visited the last park of the day, the Tomorrowland. Space Mountain at Tomorrowland was the best ride of the day. It was a indoor all dark roller coaster. It was not that steep but the roller coaster was fast and in the dark, you just didn't know what to expect...when it would rise and when would it fall. And the track just seem to be right on top of your head....honestly my body just curled up...so scared that I might knocked them.

the angle...effect from the Hologram Goggle

Then it was time for the "Disney in the Stars" Fireworks...very beautiful with the Sleeping Beauty's Castle on the foreground. Oh yes...with the special hologram goggle...it was like angles flying in the sky. Love it very much but it would be better if it could last longer...5 minutes were just too short.

fireworks on the background

fireworks with angel flying effects

Next up was "The Golden Mickeys" at Story Theater. This was another highlighted show in Disney. The show included scenes from my favourite cartoon, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Hunchback of the Notre Dame, Tarzan, Lilo and Stich and Mulan. Those performers have gifted voices. They could really sing and dance very well.

at the Golden Mickey Award

now u see...Beauty and the Beast

now u don't...it's Beauty and the Handsome

Then we have a chance of Encounter with Stich. This place was way beyond my expectation. First he could speak fluent Cantonese. Secondly he knew what was happening on ground. We really had some impromptu interactions with him. Technology ahead my narrow mind...just wondering how could this be done. All seemed to happen so fast. I wonder how complicated the processing got to be for such an effect.

Next was another round of flying elephant like or Orbiton. Then it was the Autopia, a much better generation of gold cart in Genting. We got on another ride of Space Mountain before we gathered in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle for the Club Disney's New Year Eve Countdown Party. It was really happening there...a lot of crowds and with live band performance.

crowds overlooking the lighted up Sleeping Beauty Castle

Another round of fireworks marked the end of year 2008 and the beginning of health and prosperous new year 2009. I was glad to be at there to share that moment with my friends and all visitors there.

Happy 2009!

crowds ruching home after the countdown...but great transportation and planning in HK...not such a hassle even on such a day