TOURIST TUESDAY: HONG KONG DAY SEVEN

Justin's cousin had planned a day for us, so we caught the train out to Diamond Hill to meet up with everyone. 

(Does this count as our family portrait for the day? Not sure who the random is to my left)

Before we left for our adventure, we walked (what felt like ages, carrying Jarvis) to an Italian restaurant for lunch.

Side note: add to the list of things I have learnt while travelling. Don't eat Chinese food in France. And do not eat Italian in Hong Kong.

After lunch we then drove to an area which is known for the wild monkeys, that wander willy nilly all over the roads. Golden Hill Country Park or Kam Shan Country Park was established in 1977, its a country park located in the ranges north of Kowloon. Kam Shan, or Monkey Hill is home to the macaques. I was told these monkeys are probably descendants of monkeys released by pet owners a hundred or so years ago.

Another car pulled up at the same time as we did, and they came with a box of fruit to feed the monkeys. This was fun and terrifying at the same time. After all they are wild monkeys. However, it is illegal to feed the monkeys. Which I found out when the other driver incurred a fine. Opps.

We then just drove around looking at the scenery, yes Hong Kong really is kinda smoggy. But the drive was great, as we stopped at a really tiny village.

Justin's cousin dropped us back off at the hotel for a rest. Getting stuck in peak hour on the way back to the hotel made me very aware why the air in Hong Kong is very smoggy.

We did our normal shower, and rest. Before heading our to meet up the entire family for a massive banquet dinner. Justin scoffed the first course, he thought that was it. But then they kept bringing out course after course after course! Ever needed a forklift to get you home after way too much food?

TOURIST TUESDAY: HONG KONG DAY SIX

There is a good reason why things makes it to lists with titles like "Top Ten things to do in Hong Kong". On the Friday we opted to hit a few of those top tens.

First up was Victoria Peak. Via the Peak Tram. The Peak shows off iconic views of the Hong Kong island and Kowloon skyline.  Most opt to take the Peak Tram, with its slow moving carriages that scale the hillside in a bumpy ole ride, offering increasingly better views of the Hong Kong skylines until passengers reach the top.  

Once at the top you exit via gift shops to a multi level shopping complex. We exit this and walk what is know as the Peak hike. It was refreshingly cool, so Justin and Jarvis thought running races were a great idea. 

I thought it was great just to enjoy the views and the cooler temp.

Stopping only for a little hillside graffiti. Which is kinda okay, as you are actually on writing on the moss that builds up on the rocks. So it is not a permanent graffiti. Not great to graffiti landmarks, but Jarvis loved it.

After the tram ride down we walked up (read I staggered up in the heat) to Hong Kong Park and Zoological and Botanical Gardens. The Hong Kong Park features several large ponds with turtles and fish as well as a very nice aviary, situated 10 meters above the ground, with a long elevated platform.  Many variety of exotic birds fly overhead and are fed here. This man made forest is a great example of how well Hong Kong does parks. 

After guzzling several bottles of water we walked down to the Hong Kong Park. The enclosed bird aviary thrilled me last time we were in Hong Kong. 

This time not so much. Nothing wrong with it. Just heat exhaustion had set in. So we trained it back to hotel for much needed showers and naps.

After waking very late in the afternoon, the first thing we did was buy a vintage camera. Okay, well Justin bought it. Jarvis and I watched while eating these yummy waffle/pancake things we got from a street vendor.

We then travelled to Mongkok it is one of the many interesting districts in Hong Kong.  It hosts a number of famous, interesting and tourist friendly street markets. We went to the Ladies night markets. Where Justin did amazing haggling to get huge bargains. We mostly purchased some tourist gifts and Jarvis got himself some Ironman toys.

Away from the markets I bought myself the same thing I got last time in Hong Kong...a new pair of glasses. He offered to do the script lens in them but I was worried about having enough time to go back and collect them. I wish I had done so, as they are still sitting on my desks waiting for lenses. The price of the lenes in Hong Kong is less than a quarter of what I pay here. I could almost pay for a return flight and lenses and still be better off financially then getting them in Australia. Next trip over I am going to do this on my first day in Hong Kong. 

TOURIST TUESDAY: HONG KONG DAY FOUR

What do you do when you are in Hong Kong and it is a really hot and humid day? Go to Ocean Park Hong Kong and spend the day in the sun.

We all came home with headaches and a bit of heat stroke, however, it was a really good day.

Ocean Park Hong Kong, commonly known as Ocean Park, 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.

I do not think anyone could 'do' all of Ocean Park in one day, so we just concentrated on the areas we thought Jarvis would enjoy.

The park is separated by a large mountain into two areas, The Summit (Headland) and The Waterfront (Lowland). These areas can be reached by a cable car system, I am such a wuss this was my favourite ride.

But, who knew Jarvis would turn out to enjoy all of the rides even the roller coaster for adults. I could hear his giggles the whole ride.

My tips for the park, you will save money, and avoid the longest lines when entering the park, if you buy your tickets online before going. We hired a stroller for Jarvis. Yes he is a bit big, however it had a sunshade which kept him out of the sun. Plus it was good to carry all our stuff. I actually saw lots of parent hiring wheelchairs for their older children. Last tip, take snacks and water. Lot of water.

We got stuck in a traffic jam on the bus ride home from the park, but it was nice just to sit in the aircon and look out the window.

That night we were still so tired we just wandered up the road from our hotel and ordered (Justin ate) the biggest pizza slices I have ever seen. 

TOURIST TUESDAY: HONG KONG DAY ONE

After our false start on Friday, Sunday morning Tamika picked Jarvis and I up, and drove us to the airport.

I have made the flippant comment "my children are amazing travellers", but it has taken a lot of trial, and error, to figure out what works and what doesn't. But, I can honestly say Jarvis was an incredible travel buddy.

He is responsible for his bag, for what goes in it and what doesn't. For the flight to Hong Kong he packed, two books, one bunny, a few cars, a mobile phone (it is an old phone, that was gifted to Jarvis), his camera, a change of clothes, a jumper, and food. Lots of food. Even though planes serves kids meals, they never come when needed, and are often not familiar. Which is import if trying to settle a toddler/child. I always buy one or two small gifts for him to open on the plane. Great in moments of need. He got a matchbox car, and a book of stickers.

I always give plenty of warning about how there are four really, really boring bits before we get on the plane. 1. the line up at the ticket counter. 2. Going through security and baggage checks. 3. Customs. 4. Waiting and boarding the plane. I find Jarvis is okay with these boring steps as we count them through. If he gets over it, then, yes, I am the Mum who uses the phone. Jarvis has a couple of games downloaded, and I will sit him on top of my carry on bag and wheel him through the steps while he plays.

Interestingly though, travelling alone with Jarvis, I got super speeded through every step. Line up at ticket counter, directed over to first class. Security and Baggage, through a side gate. Waiting and boarding, told to get on first with first class. Umm, okay. That was so easy.

Once on the plane, Jarvis is always fine. Chewy lolly as a treat for take off and landing, which helps pops the ears also helps.

A couple other things I always do are, 1. Ask for the window seat. I feel it give Jarvis and I, our small space that we do not have to share with people if we are in the middle seats. 2. After boarding, change Jarvis and I into super comfy clothes. It gives us more comfort, makes it easy to sleep and saves the 'other' outfit getting dirty, so when you get off the plane you are wearing relatively clean clothes.

So after a very long day on the plane, Jarvis and I landed in Hong Kong and got through customs at super speed. I am not sure who was more excited to see who, but it was a very happy reunion of the three Js at the airport.

Then onto the bus, to travel the hour ride into Hong Kong. Jarvis talked Justin's ear off non-stop the whole time. Dropped the bags off at the hotel and grabbed my firs of many wanton noodles. Then Jarvis and I were asleep before we could even blink.