Into the Monastery of 10,000 Buddha's

4-days winter budget family tour in Hongkong-Macau

saturday to wednesday february 02-06, 2013

family at last in disneyland hongkong

how to go here;

Sha Tin subway station (aqua line) then walk outside around 500 meters away. No admission fee. This is a temple/monastery so doing a picnic is prohibited.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is a Buddhist temple in Sha Tin, Hong Kong. It is located at 220 Pai Tau Village, Sha Tin. It is not an actual monastery as there are no resident monks and is managed by laypersons. It was built by Yuet Kai, a devout Buddhist layman who dedicated the last years of his life to constructing an elaborate temple containing nearly 13,000 statues of Buddha.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Thousand_Buddhas_Monastery

into the monastery of 10,000 buddha

Family at Last in Disneyland Hongkong

4-days winter budget family tour in Hongkong-Macau

saturday to wednesday february 02-06, 2013

nanlian garden and chi lin nunnery photo-ops

Finally, the highlight/main event of this trip. My aim is to bring my family on this wonderful themepark and experience the never-before-seen fun and fame of disneyland. Admission fee costs 388 HKD ($55.5) for adults and 278 HKD ($40) for children age 11 below. This rate was a voucher bought from China Travel Services (CTS).

Hong Kong Disneyland is located on reclaimed land in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island. The park opened to visitors on 12 September 2005. The park consists of six themed areas: Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Grizzly Gulch and Toy Story Land. The theme park's cast members speak in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin. Guide maps are printed in traditional and simplified Chinese as well as English, French, and Japanese.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Disneyland
  

family at last in disneyland hongkong

Nanlian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery Photo-ops

4-days winter budget family tour in Hongkong-Macau

saturday to wednesday february 02-06, 2013

until evening in the peak tram to sky terrace 428

How to go here;
Diamond hill station (green line) and walk around 100 meters outside the subway. Chi lin monastery is just bridge away (connected) from Nanlian garden. No admission fees on both parks but tripod is prohibited to use.

The Nan Lian Garden is a Chinese Classical Garden in Diamond Hill, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The garden has an area of 3.5 hectares. It garden is designed in the Tang Dynasty-style with hills, water features, trees, rocks and wooden structures. The garden was a joint project of the Chi Lin Nunnery and the Hong Kong Government.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nan_Lian_Garden

nanlian garden and chi lin nunnery photo-ops

Until Evening in the Peak Tram to Sky Terrace 428

4-days winter budget family tour in Hongkong-Macau

saturday to wednesday february 02-06, 2013

12 divine zodiac generals, a ngong ping specials

peak tram at night (2011)
peak tower sky terrace 428 night shots (2011)
 

After finishing the Avenue of the Stars in the morning and Ngong ping 360 in the afternoon, amazing skyscrapers nightscapes was the trip for the night. We went here via central subway station from tung chung station. Around 200meters away is the distance of The Tram main entrance to the subway.

 peak tram to sky terrace 428

12 Divine Zodiac Generals, Ngong Ping Specials

4-days winter budget family tour in Hongkong-Macau

saturday to wednesday february 02-06, 2013

cable car experience in ngong ping 360

Out of curiosity, that's all! This is the reason why I have special post for this 12 new statues along the hallway  in the main entrance before Po lim Monastery, Lotus pond temple and the Big Buddha. I was just amazed how the Chinese zodiacs affect the basic lives of a typical people in dealing with astrology as guidance in future action. And for that, I was surprised there were army leaders based on this cultural principle.

The 12 Heavenly Generals protect and serve the Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha). The twelve are Hindu Yasha who were later incorporated into Buddhism as protective warriors. Many say they represent the twelve vows of Yakushi; others say the 12 were present when the Historical Buddha introduced the "Healing Sutra;" yet others that they offer protection during the 12 daylight hours, or that they represent the 12 months and 12 cosmic directions, or the 12 animals of the 12-year Chinese zodiac. 
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/12-generals.shtml 
 

General Catura (Ox)

Cable Car Experience in Ngong Ping 360

4-days winter budget family tour in Hongkong-Macau

saturday to wednesday february 02-06, 2013

morning at the avenue of the stars

ngong ping 360 in the afternoon (2011)

After purchasing all vouchers I needed in CTS TST branch for my family tour, we immediately went to Tunh Chung to maximize the day. I just bought ordinary one-way cable car because I want them to experience the countryside bus window sightseeing of the island in the afternoon. I went here last 2011 via bus roundtrip only. We spent around 3 hours before heading back to the mainland.

en route to ngong ping 360

Morning at the Avenue of the Stars

4-days winter budget family tour in Hongkong-Macau

saturday to wednesday february 02-06, 2013

hongkong airport arrival at night

night at the avenue of the stars (2011)

This is the 1st tourist spot to visit for the day. While waiting for the China Travel Service (CTS) to be opened at 0900H, I decided to bring them first along the bay. Since my last visit was at night, ambiance will be changed this morning especially with family. Anyways, we just went there via walk from Chunking Mansion in Tsim sha Tsui estimated 300meters away with no admission fee. At most 1 hour is enough to to stroll and create cheerful photo-ops on this place.

morning at the avenue of the stars

4-days Winter Budget Family Tour in Hongkong - Macau

1st family trip abroad in budget DIY tour on my vacation

saturday to wednesday february 02-06, 2013

touring hongkong - macau in 3.5 winter days (2011) 

"Without a family, man, alone in the world, trembles with the cold." - Andre Maurois

My 11th family outing initiated, their 1st international trip, their 1st winter getaway and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

After three (3) attempts of planning for holiday backpacking, finally I made it this January 2013. The first plan was on a flight date last Dec. 01 - Dec. 05, 2012 via Halong, Vietnam. Due to one of the colleagues sudden health problem, I forgot the ticket was rebookeable. I decided to used the free one-way ticket going to Boracay on December 22 for all of us granted by Cebu Pacific last August 2012 in Palawan trip due to change of aircraft. But then again not pursued due to unapproved vacation leave. I moved again my plan to bring them abroad but this  time I purchased regular tickets on a travel date as mentioned above via Manila-Hongkong-Macau-Manila for a post-birthday celebration with them.

 budget family tour in Hongkong-Macau

2nd OFW Vacation; Pinoy Backpacker China Invasion

a winter vacation alongside with my birthday celebration

January 25 to February 09, 2013
16 glorious days

1st OFW vacation; a come back to my homeland

After attempting to file my 2nd OFW vacation leave twice last December 2012, finally and thankfully,  it has been approved. Wasting the purchased plane tickets bought last promo fare from Cebu Pacific Airlines for Vietnam and Mainland China was indeed worthy.

The image below shows the converted jpeg from pdf of calendar of events on my entire 16-days vacation journey. Most of this was in Republic of China with Philippines, my hometown, as my airport of origin.

my 16-days vacation plan mostly in Republic of China

Hongkong - Macau 3.5 Days Tour Summary

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

day 1: hongkong at night

day 2: macau day tour

day 3: macau to hongkong shift tripping

day 4: hongkong solo day tour and departure

here are the some observations and advices  that would be helpful just in case you like to do the same.

1. i estimated to have all the expenses by php20,000. but since i did not pursue skywalk x (php4,132.80) at macau tower, free of 1st night accommodation on my 1st night in hk courtesy of my friends (in exchange of affordable dinner) and having discounted admissions to the peak and ocean park, i saved budget converted hkd to php7,+++. this means the outflow totals only to around php12,+++.

view at the peak tower sky terrace 428

Hongkong Departure at Night

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

day 4: hongkong solo day tour and departure

ocean park thrill rides

ngong ping 360 in the afternoon

estimated to have a very reliable and dependent minimum 1 hour travel time from ngong ping. riding bus #23, then to mtr tung chung station then alight to tsing yi station. finally, on level 4 of this station to airport express. so much for the night and another remarkable adventure on this autonomous part of china. i forgot to refund the load of my octopus card, i guess there will be next time to use it here.

going to hongkong airport

Ngong Ping 360 in the Afternoon

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

day 4: hongkong solo day tour and departure

ocean park thrill rides

Ngong Ping  is a highland in the western part of Lantau Island, Hong Kong. It hosts Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha amidst the hills which is about 34 m tall. There are many hills nearby which are also an attraction to tourists. It is now the terminus of the cable car ride Ngong Ping Cable Car which travels to Tung Chung. New facilities and tourist attractions have opened including the Ngong Ping Village, Walking with the Buddha, A tale of monkey's theatre and Ngong Ping tea house. A youth hostel is located near the monastery.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngong_Ping

ngong ping

Ocean Park Thrill Rides

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

day 4: hongkong solo day tour and departure

Ocean Park Hong Kong is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme park and amusement park, situated in Wong Chuk Hang and Nam Long Shan in the Southern District of Hong Kong. Founded in 1977 by the then Governor of Hong Kong Sir Murray MacLehose, Ocean Park has grown to about 35 attractions and rides. The park has won several awards, including The World's Seventh Most Popular Amusement Park and 33rd Most Visited Tourist Attractions in the World by Forbes.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_Park_Hong_Kong

ocean park main entrance

Hongkong Solo Day Tour and Departure

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

day 1: hongkong at night

day 2: macau day tour
day 3: macau to hongkong shift tripping

day four: HONGKONG, CHINA

with 1 hkd = php5.6

this day includes the transportation to/from ocean park, to ngong ping and airport express.

ocean park cable car

Victoria Peak Tower Sky Terrace 428 Night Shots

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

day 3: macau to hongkong shift tripping

main observation deck of macau tower

macau tower's outdoor observation deck

ferry from macau to hongkong

peak tram at night

madame tussaud celebrity wax figures 

The Peak Tower is located at an elevation of 396 m, 156 m below the summit of Victoria Peak. Because the architects sought a design which would be prominent on the skyline but would not interrupt the natural line of the hills, they chose a site in a dip along the line of the hills, and restricted the tower's height to 428 m above sea level.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_Tower

peak tower sky terrace 428 night shots

Madame Tussaud Celebrity Wax Figures

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

day 3: macau to hongkong shift tripping

main observation deck of macau tower

macau tower's outdoor observation deck

ferry from macau to hongkong

peak tram at night

Anna Maria Tussaud was an artist known for her wax sculptures and Madame Tussaud's, the wax museum she founded in London. Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is located at the Peak Tower. It is the first and one of the only two permanent Madame Tussauds museums in Asia, the other being the Shanghai branch, which opened in 2006. The Hong Kong branch houses nearly 100 wax figures of internationally-known personalities, with Asian figures taking up more than a third of the total, of which sixteen were Hong Kongers. The wax figures are featured in a range of themed settings such as Hong Kong Glamour, Music Icons, Historical and National Heroes, The Champions and World Premiere.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_Tussauds_Hong_Kong

madame tussaud

Victoria Peak Tram at Night

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011
sunday to wednesday

day 3: macau to hongkong shift tripping

main observation deck of macau tower

macau tower's outdoor observation deck

ferry from macau to hongkong 

Victoria Peak also known as Mount Austin, and locally as The Peak. The mountain is located in the western half of Hong Kong Island. With an altitude of 552 m (1,811 ft), it is the highest mountain on the island proper, but not in the entirety of Hong Kong, an honour which belongs to Tai Mo Shan. The actual summit of Victoria Peak is occupied by a radio telecommunications facility and is closed to the public. However, the surrounding area of public parks and high-value residential land is the area that is normally meant by the name The Peak.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Peak

 

peak tram at night

Ferry from Macau to Hongkong

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

day 3: macau to hongkong shift tripping

main observation deck of macau tower
macau tower's outdoor observation deck

going back to hongkong after having a quality time touring the fame of macau. from macau tower, we rode a free shuttle provided by city of dreams hotel. this shuttle runs every 30 minutes. afterwards, i rode again free shuttle from city of dreams to macau ferry terminal.

for latest ferry timetable and fare, please see this link.
http://www.turbojetseaexpress.com.hk/eng/schedule/prd6.asp

macau ferry terminal

Macau to Hongkong Shift Tripping

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

day 1: hongkong at night

day 2: macau day tour

day three: MACAU AND HONGKONG, CHINA

with 1 mop = 1 hkd = php5.6

this day includes the transportation from macau to hongkong ferry, admission to macau observation decks and vouchers for peak package tour and ocean park admission.

macau tower main viewing deck

Ferry Ride from Hongkong to Macau

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days
december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday 

day 2: macau day tour

since we spent the night in kowloon area, the nearest port going to macau is china ferry terminal located along the canton road. walking distance to our guesthouse, estimated time of departure we availed was 0800H, economy class at 151hkd (php846). please take note that the day fare is much cheaper than night fare that starts at 1700H. the average travel time from hk to macau terminal is 1.5 hour.

boarding in china ferry terminal