What a Wonderful World: Hong Kong & Shenzhen Stories

it's been a while since i was so busy travelling to Langkawi, Hatyai (Thailand), USS (Singapore)...

and also at the end of February, i flew to ...

HONG KONG!

"ley ho" "mm goi" "toh che" "momantai" "comeng ah" hehehe just a few Cantonese Words i ever learn from watching those Hong Kong movies/dramas. i don't even sure the correct spelling and pronunciation cause i've never really join any Cantonese Classes. last time during my Diploma, Mandarin is a compulsory subject for all Tourism Students. but trust me, Mandarin and Cantonese are huge different. looking forward to meet all my favorite stars like Andy Lau, Aaron Kwok, Nicholas Tse, Leon Lai, Stephen Chow and of course Jackie Chan in Hong Kong!

even though Hong Kong (HK) has been returned to China 16years ago, but HK is nothing like China; i can say from the development, country management, cost of living, lifestyle, people, currency to the language. most of HK people can speak English; and HK is using their own HKDolar, while China is using Remimbi (RMB) or Yuen.

HKDolar~different bank different notes

even the HK currency a bit lower than RMB (RMB 100 = RM50, HKD 100 = RM 40); HOWEVER goods in HK is damn expensive. have you ever heard anything like "made in Hong Kong"?? never, right?... there's always be "made in China" cause there's no factories in HK. most of goods in HK are imported, even the mineral water. that is why they have a plenty of ports & harbors. make it most likely Singapore - small land but vast development, full with skyscraper buildings and such a modern city. however, HK has more untouched lands and most surrounded by hills. when Singapore has an Universal Studio, Hong Kong has ... DISNEYLAND!!!

UPDATE : Disneyland Shanghai now opens! (June 2016)

long story short (after a looong introduction)....
my trip last time is to cover Shenzhen first. once i arrived HKG airport, i took MTR (same like LRT) from Hung Hom station to Luo Hu station, Shenzhen. the fare is HKD35 (RM14) per person per way for 45mins journey.

the train ticket

wonder why i didn't take a direct flight to Shenzhen? obviously because of the ridiculous airfare. in-out HKG is the best solution that time. i only need to apply a SINGLE entry of China Visa.

Shenzhen... what is so special about Shenzhen?
how about shopping?! you may shop till drop at Luo Hu Commercial City & Dongmen Shopping Street. surprising they are also sells gadget, but not as cheaper as in Guangzhou. fake brands like Long Champ is easily find here.

a must-visit-attraction in Shenzhen is... Window of the World! feels like you already been to most places in the world once you step-in at this place. in order to cover this huge area (48 hectares), i finally decided to top-up RMB20 (RM10) for the tram services; then i managed to see Pyramid, London Bridge, Niagara Falls, and Taj Mahal.. ehem ehem, just a miniature. except for the Eiffel Tower! i added RMB20 for the entrance/elevator cost; for me to get to the peak of the 108metre tower where i can see the whole view of the park and some parts of Shenzhen. i was so excited, brave, satisfied, a lil bit nervous, chill (windy up there) and lonely -.-" the staff-on-duty left me on the peak for 10minutes. and, i was 'enjoyed' myself with the speed of the elevator and the height during the went down moment.

don't forget to visit the Splendid China as well. its a bit smaller than Window of the World with only 30 hectares. when Window of the World is all about places in the World, this Splendid China is all about places in China. a simple example is.. a Great Wall. and there's a live performance show at Impression China Theater. the 1 hour of Acrobatic Show was so impressive and entertaining.

In Shenzhen, i was stayed at FX Hotel (3*) a.k.a Furama Xpress, Taining Road. the hotel's location is very strategic, where it is opposite to the Vicity Mall, nearby Aeon Jusco, next to a hair salon, a walking distance to 7-eleven and also the 8-eleven (?)

For Halal restaurants in Shenzhen, please do try Zhongfayuan Restaurant & Muslim Hotel's restaurant. (sorry, i was totally forgot to take pictures)

My point of view about Shenzhen; this city is a very nice place to visit. it has plenty of attractions, shopping places (and cheap), restaurants etc. however, it it not a place for older people, when to much stairs to climb and lack of facilities. last but not least, i heard that the Xiaomeisha Sea World is not bad and worth to visit; but if you have an extra day in Shenzhen cause the rate is about USD 20.

Hong Kong...

The Lantau Island is part of Hong Kong, and an access to Macau. It is an island where you can find the Hong Kong International Airport, 360' Ngong Ping Cable Car and also the Hong Kong Disneyland. the former airport is Kai Tak Airport at Kowloon Bay, it has been closed due to the location is too close to the buildings in the city. the Cable Car is glass-bottom, around USD30 for return. for Muslim, there's Halal Restaurant available and for non-Muslim, you can visit the Giant Buddha there.

The Hong Kong Mainland is quite big, parallel to Shenzhen; but the busiest and favorite areas are at the southern part such as Mongkok, Kowloon and Tsim Sha Tsui. The Avenue of Stars or the Walk of Fame is located nearby Tsim Sha Tsui area, exactly at the Waterfront/Victoria Harbor. this is the place where you may find the hand print of the famous Hong Kong Stars; including the statue of Bruce Lee. during the night time, you may join the crowds to see the Symphony of Lights - colorful lights from the Hong Kong Island's buildings.

but most of Malaysian are fastinated with shopping compared to the light show. the Ladies Street is not only the best place to find souvenirs, clothes, toys etc. but also for massage and Indian Halal Restaurants. the name of "Ladies Street" is not the street's actual name. it is Tung Choi Street. and it's located nearby Stanford Hotel; the hotel i stayed last time. such a luxury 4 star hotel, with cozy bedroom, nice breakfast with spicy Nasi Lemak although they also have a Pork Section, and good services.

Let's go to the other amazing island in Hong Kong called Hong Kong Island. it is connected by tunnels, from Tsim Sha Tsui.

imagine yourself are viewing the whole city of Hong Kong. isn't it great? here at Victoria Peak, you are not only can imagine. you are truly seen it. unfortunately, during my visit - it was end of winter with 16'c only and it was badly fogged. i was decided to go half-way to the 'mid-level'. means, i only viewed the half of Hong Kong. next time, i'll surely try the tram, visit the Madame Tussauds and shopping at the Hard Rock Shop at the peak.

in the Hong Kong Island, there's a Aberdeen Fishing Village/Jumbo Kingdom nearby Victoria Peak. where you can ride a boat steering around the fishing village. cost me @HKD50=RM20 for the boat ride. it wasn't a good experience actually.

the local tour guide shows us the Police Academy at the roadside during the journey to Aberdeen. if you are one of the Hong Kong dramas/movies fan like me, you must be noticed that most of it will have at least one police officer character. people in Hong Kong are so admire and respect their police officer. it's not easy to be one, cause the candidate must be well educated. and their government is offering good salary with lots of benefits; in order to stop corruption as well as bribery. thumps up!

further up, there's Repulse Bay after the Ocean Park. seriously, it's not a place to visit during winter. totally ice cold! i heard that the beach is quite steep, so it can be very dangerous. but there are few convenience shops and shower rooms available.

ever heard about Feng Shui? it's a Chinese Philosophical; and Hong Kong people are too fanatic with it. there's one luxury apartment in Repulse Bay where there's one big hole at the centre of the building. they believe that there's a dragon who lives at the hill right behind the apartment will fly through the building everyday. there's another office building at the downhill area at Victoria Peak with a coffin-shape of windows. they put some believe that the 'ghost' from the nearby cemetery won't come close to the coffin and disturbing people. and from the peak of Victoria's, i can see a cigarette's look-like building. the feng shui expert told them to build a swimming pool at the rooftop just to ensure the building won't get fire.

looking for dimsum and wanton? yeap you can find the delicious and Halal one at Islamic Centre Canteen. yes, it is a canteen, the originally was catered for the staff from the Islamic Centre as well as for the prayer who prays at Ammar Mosque. now it's commercialized for tourist. located at the 5th floor, and at the Wan Chai area, Hong Kong Island. highly recommended!

You may also try Wai Kee Restaurant (famous with the Halal roasted duck) or Casanova Pizzeria; both are also at Wan Chai area. Or maybe Aladin Mess (for Indian Cuisine) at Russel Street, Causeway Bay. or... Ma's Restaurant at Sham Shui Po.

for tourist, you cannot run from visiting their compulsory shopping stop. as usual, there are Jade Centre (in Hong Kong its owned by Jackie Chan), Ginseng, Burning Cream, Jewelry etc. and in Shenzhen, there's a Bamboo and Charcoal shop! hmmm it's interesting

only Air Asia fly directs from Malaysia to Shenzhen. hence, i took Malaysia Airlines to/fro Hong Kong. the return flight was a codeshare to Cathay Pacific (CX). the flight is quite nice but not the meals onboard especially for Moslem Meals. i was on the same flight with Khadijah Ibrahim, a Malaysian Singer. she's so soft spoken, friendly and quite tall (or maybe i'm too shorty).