Saturday, April 28, 2007 Family escapade By Janette Huang-Teves Mom About Town
DURING our recent family vacation, it was our first time to try Cebu Pacific's flight to Hong Kong via Davao.
Although we traveled during Holy Week, which was considered a peak season, we spent a little over P32,000 for two adults and one five-year-old child for the airfare.
We had substantial savings compared to taking a Davao-Manila-Hong Kong flight using other airlines. Traveling via Cebu Pacific during seat sale can even go as low as P1,999 one-way (exclusive of taxes, insurance and fuel surcharge). (Check out the website: www.cebupacificair.com).
The travel tax for adults was P1,620. Prior to our travel, I visited the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) for my child's travel tax exemption so I only paid P810 plus P200 processing fee.
Airport terminal fee was at P500.
Leaving on a jet plane
Departure from Davao was at 6 p.m. and arrival in Cebu at 6:55 p.m. (Hey, this is budget travel after all.) There was a stopover at Mactan International Airport for over two hours before we boarded the plane again at 9:20 p.m. We did not have to retrieve our luggage in Cebu as it was checked through to Hong Kong.
We finally arrived in HK's Chek Lap Kok International Airport at 11:55 p.m.
After going through HK Immigration and getting our bags, we traveled to Hotel Miramar (Kowloon) and checked in at exactly 1:30 a.m.
Going home to Davao is another story. We left Hong Kong at 12:55 midnight and arrived in Cebu at 3:30 a.m. We then departed Cebu at 5:05 a.m. and touched down in Davao at 6 a.m.
This was not exactly a kid-friendly schedule but perhaps because of the excitement, the active children in our group did not seem to mind. There was plenty of time to catch up on their sleep after the trip anyway.
Moreover, the extra money saved from the discounted fare can be used for other purposes like theme park entrance fees, food and shopping.
Onboard eats
Since we traveled on a budget fare, we did not expect the same amenities as the other airlines. On board the plane, only a bottle of juice was served.
However, food items were for sale like cup noodles, sandwiches, potato chips and beer in can (P100 each); and mineral water, nuts, coffee, canned softdrinks and green tea (P50 each).
TIP: Since Mactan International Airport's pre-departure area is out-of-the- way and the food prices of the restaurants are quite expensive (e.g., mineral water at P100), it would be a wise idea to bring along individually packed easy-to-eat meals for your family.
Just remember that there is a restriction on bringing liquids inside the plane. Not more than 100 ml. is allowed per person. (Also, bring coloring books, crayons, etc. to keep your kids busy and happy while waiting.)
Mass Transit Railway (MTR)
As per our previous experiences when joining a tour group, we are pressed for time. So, another alternative would be to explore Hong Kong via public transport at one's personal leisure and pace. It's a guaranteed adventure on its own!
One of the fastest and efficient ways to travel all over Hong Kong is through the Mass Transit Railway (MTR). It is a modern underground railway system that serves both HK citizens and visitors.
Signs for the MTR can easily be found near stations at street level. Once inside, you may buy your ticket or the Octopus electronic fare card for the journey at the Ticket Issuing Machines or the Customer Service Center.
TIP: If you plan to explore HK by public transport, buy the Octopus card. Aside from saving time, Octopus card users will enjoy discounted fares on every journey to any destination on the MTR route. The card can also be used on other train lines, buses, ferry as well as convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Wellcome, Foto Me, among others.
Octopus cards are priced at HK$150 (adult), HK$70 (elder) and HK$70 (child).
Think of it as a pre-paid multi-purpose card. Add money to it when you need to and any unspent value is refundable along with the HK$50 deposit (minus HK$7 handling fee for cards returned within three months).
Hong Kong family escapade
In my last issue, I shared with you valuable tips in visiting Hong Kong Disneyland. Aside from Disneyland, here are some HK destinations, shops and activities, which I highly recommend for the family:
Ocean Park
Have you always wanted to see real life dolphins, sea lions, shark and other exotic underwater creatures? Then, Ocean Park is the perfect place for such close encounters.
Considered one of Southeast Asia's largest aquariums and theme parks, the 30-year old Ocean Park features the region's first sea jelly aquarium, atoll reef, dolphin shows, thrilling rides and much more.
In addition, you and your family will surely enjoy the amazing cable car ride between the lowland and headland sections of the park.
Ocean Park's admission fee for adult is priced at HK$185 and HK$93 for child (aged 3-11). The fee includes most of the facilities, except the Ocean Park Grand Prix, skill games and coin-operated games.
The park is quite accessible via public transport. Go to the Admiralty MTR Station Exit B and take the Citybus 629 (a double-decker bus).
The Peak Tower
The Peak Tower offers some of the finest views from its rooftop platform with its striking 360-degree vistas over HK. There is also a cornucopia of shops and restaurants, as well as Madame Tussauds Hong Kong featuring more than 100 wax likenesses of stars, world leaders and sports heroes in an interactive environment. It is described as "The World Famous Home of the Famous!"
You can reach the 552-meter altitude high Victoria Peak either through bus or the Peak Tram. Between the two, I suggest that you take the tram as it will definitely be a thrilling experience for the kids. Operating since 1888, the tram is a double reversible funicular railway pulled by steel cables and climbs 373 meters (about 1,200 feet). It is so steep that the buildings you pass look like they are leaning at a 45-degree angle. The ride to the top will only take seven minutes.
Adult fare is pegged at HK$33 while child is at HK$15.
To go there from Admiralty MTR Station, proceed to Tamar St. where Bus Terminal 12A is located. Alight from the bus during the first stop. Find the MTR Central Station J2 exit and follow the sign to Lower Peak Terminus along Garden Road.
Toys "R" Us
Want to give a special toy to your kids to remind them of their trip? Visit Toys "R" Us and let them discover each store's seven zones: Boy's Action and Adventure, Girl's Favorites, "Tween", Family Fun and Games, Universe of Imagination, Sports and Outdoors, and Babies "R" Us.
Interesting buys include a Hello Kitty 5-megapixel digital camera (HK$999) and a "Deal or No Deal" handy electronic game (HK$99).
There are presently eight Toys "R" Us outlets all over HongKong.
Book Buddy
If you want to buy good quality children's books, then don't forget to drop by Book Buddy. It is every bookworm-in-the-making's dream to step into this quaint children's bookstore filled with a variety of reading materials that range from educational to well-loved fictional stories.
Branches are located at Windsor House, Causeway Bay; New Town Plaza, Shatin, and Ocean Terminal, Harbour City.
Meterchildren (Puri Men-Gurumi) key chains
When in Harbour City, check out the Meterchildren (Puri Men-Gurumi) key chains. This is the latest craze in Japan and HongKong.
For HK$ 130, you can have a 3-D photo of your face on an adorable stuffed animal key chain. There are twelve designs to choose from like giraffe, lion, zebra, rabbit, chick, bear, etc.
Maybe next time...
Other sites that we would have wanted to visit but didn't get the chance are the Hong Kong Wetland Park, Snoopy's World, HongKong Science Museum, Hong Kong Space Museum, among others.
Side trip: Window of the World
Do you know that you can go around the world in just one day? At Window of the World (Shenzhen, China), yes, you can!
See Eiffel Tower, Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Pyramids and Sphinx of Egypt, Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Taj Mahal and other popular landmarks replicated in miniature versions. Its concept is similar to Manila's "Nayong Pilipino" but on a much grander scale, 118 of the world's most famous monuments to be exact.
The 480,000-sq.m. park is well divided into eight scenic areas: World Square, Areas of Asia; Area of Oceania, Area of Europe, Area of Africa, Area of America, Sculpture Park and International Street.
TIP: If you plan to take a side trip to Shenzhen, arrange your China visa application with your travel agent. Davao-based travel agents would normally charge P2,000 for such a visa. You can also apply for a visa with a Hong Kong-based travel agency. Just present a valid passport, one recent passport photo (37mm x 37mm) and the visa application form completed and signed by applicant.
In Hong Kong, processing would take 2 working days (normal), 1 working day (urgent) and 1/2 working day (express).
Shenzhen, China is easily accessible from HK. From Tsim Sha Tsui East, ride the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) until the end of the line to Lo Hu.
Upon arrival in Lo Hu, complete your HK departure formalities, walk across a bridge and enter Shenzhen.
After the arrival immigration procedures, take the Shenzhen Metro (similar to MTR) to the last stop which leads to Window of the World.
To have an overview of the vast Window of the World, you may either ride the monorail or ride on a golf cart-type transportation.
If you have a child who is starting to learn about world history and historical landmarks, this is the best place for them to experience the spectacular sights first-hand.
Admission price is RMB120 for adults and RMB 60 for children.
TIP: Make sure that you have a few Renminbi for the trip in advance. Only a few establishments accept Hong Kong dollars as the value of China's currency is around 10 cents higher than the former.
I hope that with these tips, you and your loved ones could create your own fun-filled Hong Kong family vacation!
For your comments and suggestions, you may e-mail me at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com.
