"The Quetz travel to Hongkong " - First timer

It was my first daughter's 7th birthday, I asked her what she wants to  do on her special day, a party or a travel package. She gave it a lot of thought for a few months and finally said that she wants a travel package.  We called it " 7 ways to celebrate Jan Hannah's 7th birthday (but that's another story to tell at another time)." 
This trip was a part of that.So, in April 2013, the closest place we could go abroad to was Hongkong, plus the fact that hubby's cousin resides there. Accommodation wise,we have a place to stay,we can use the spare money for shopping (winks). 
As a traveler,if you have somebody on that country to stay with during your visit is really great.  As most of the tourist use their accommodation only to sleep because the whole day they are out and about.That's why some tourist,they prefer hostels, as it comes cheap and you get to socialize with other travelers. As for me, I've gotten used to hotels because I want to really feel I'm on vacation whenever I travel. I believe your choice should be as per your need.

We (Hubby, me and munchkins) took  Cathay Pacific Airways, while granny and Aunt Kaye went by Cebu Pacific. We just wait at each other parties at Chek Lap Kok Airport. Reason is, I can only get tickets for my immediate family if I'm travelling other Airline. We find the cheapest fair there is. Anyways,is no big deal it's just 2 hours flight. 


We landed at the airport and hubby's cousin is there to fetch us. Another good thing,that you have somebody in the place that you're going to visit because  they can be your guide.

Passengers have plenty of choices how to go and from the airport. There are Airport Express,Public Buses,Taxis,Hotel coaches and limousines. For us,we took the bus as per cousin's suggestion so we can enjoy the view. And she is right. It is economical and entertaining.

Less crowd , went to sit at the upper deck.

Siblings happy face look

Granny and Munchkin Memes

Front view

Seaside View

Mommy and birthday Celebrant " Happy 7th ".

Happy pose

Another great view

Port Side view

Hong kong

Hong kong in Chinese means "Fragrant harbour or Incense Harbour" also known to be "The Land of the Orient" in Asia. As of 2013, they have 7.188 population. It makes them one of the densely populated region in the world. 
Because of it's inhabitants, it is hosting one of the biggest hub airports in the World.
It is a crowded place however lots of things to do, see and will not make  you bored at all. It can be overwhelming sometimes especially to those who are not used to the buzz, sounds, shopping and lots of people around.

When we reached the city proper, we then took a taxi to save time. Taxi's are right hand drive here.Hubby was trying to open the driver's side to enter the taxi. Taxi driver saying "NO" was a good scene to look at. We took two taxi as we can't fit in one.

Hubby got confused where to enter the taxi ;-)

Happy face

Our neighborhood for now

Noticed that people works here day and night, regardless of age which  is somewhat admirable. Everybody is hardworking,that you feel ashamed that you will not do so (if your a resident).

Old building yet standing and with lots of markets beneath it. I don't even know what they are selling however the presentation will really makes you look around.

 Food Shop

Shop 

Tram (another way to go and from the city).

Hong kong Trams also known to the locals as "ding-ding" trams, have been around since 1904 and been providing passengers an enjoyable experience of street life and moving scenes as like you are watching in the theatre.They are eye catching  because of it's colorful advertisement.There two ways to pay for the fare through Octopus card and by coins (has to be exact as no change will be given back).

Tram full

Aunt Kaye enjoying the clear space

Feeling cold while waiting for our tourist guide (hubby cousins :-)).

Let's just hug

I don't want to hug any more.. Let me go now!!

The Peak Tram

Yes, on our first day we can't get enough of the tram (hahahaha). Cousin's suggested we have dinner at the peak.We queue for maybe almost one hour but we didn't mind as we want to see the spectacular view on the way up.The tram will take you to the peak of the largest mountain in Hong kong Island. It is a funicular railway, where you enjoyed the 180 degree views of their skyscrapers. 

The whole gang is here

Behind us is some of the memorabilia exhibited.

Waiting for our turn patiently.

Killing time here

When the tram opens " Happy face look".

Cousin (tourist guide for the night) checking if everybody got on.

Space for hubby

Are you ready?

On place the ride will start "OMG" for me another great heights.

I'm looking at you " Ate Jaja".

They say to enjoy the ride you have to sit on the right side of the tram. Because of the spectacular visual illusion, when going up the hill, the high rises of the right ride of the tram appear to fall toward the hill. And yes,felt that. The view though we didn't see as it was drizzling and cloud is dark.

Yes, we are at the peak now, our happy face look.

 Shops at the Peak

View from the top

Easter Bunnies are everywhere 

Holding their Easter Panda. Munchkins loves Panda when we came here.

All the restaurant we went is full so we ended up in a Vietnamese restaurant.
Less crowd here,so we got full customer service. Food was sumptuous. I can say that we enjoyed it.

With their Auntie

Cousins love

Well, although the weather is not so lovely when we arrived,we had a good time,good meal,tram Peak ride,saw a bit of this beautiful city and catch up with the relatives, the day was spent nicely. There are other things to see at the Peak the famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe or Not auditorium. However due to limited time unable to go there.

Actually, been to Hong kong before with my bestie  however this time I feel like seeing this city again for the first time. As for the rest of "The Quetz" they are overwhelmed with joy.

That's the end of our first day here. Next blog will be Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean park.

Photos by : HAQ  a.k.a Mr. Quetz

Meet me up At Singapore 2014 - The Quetz travel- Day three - Gardens by the bay " All about conquering fear of heights" Part 2

Hello from Singapore again! Today it's just a half day tour  for " The Quetz" as we needed to catch our flight in the afternoon. Agenda for the day, going to another tourist site of the city " The Gardens by the Bay". Located  next to the famous Marina Bay Sands.

Getting There

Due to limited time our only means of transportation is by a taxi, we used this for the last two days we are here. We just hailed, right in front of our hotel , we tried booking last minute through the hotel however it was a rush hours and we couldn't wait that long.  We just grab who comes first  and got ourselves the luxurious one (hubby said what the heck, we got to go).Actually for normal taxi it is cheap and Limousine Taxi it's just right.  So don't be afraid to hailed one (wink).

Limousine Taxi

Super Tree grove

Unfortunately ,we  didn't go there as we didn't have time in our next visit probably in Singapore.There are around 18 Super trees ,12 were located in the grove. The giant trees height ranging from 25-50 metres.The vertical gardens that perform multitudes of functions like planting, shades and working as environmental equipments for the garden. 

Super trees mimic the ecological function of a tree.It has also the air functions like intake and exhausts as part of the the conservatories cooling systems. Amazing!

Rest time before going inside

The garden is huge, there is drop off point for the taxi or cars, we had to walk a little bit and climb up a hill, it's like telling us,we are going to have a exercise for today. 
We had to rest a little bit before going to the entrance as the children already tired. 

Flower Dome Conservatory

As we walked towards the dome, we enjoyed the smells and sights of the different kinds of flowers.Flowers feature from Mediterranean, semi-arid tropical regions. It maintains a temperature between 23 and 25 Celsius , slightly lower at night. It is also made of  seven different gardens and olive grove  bistro.

The Cloud Forest

It is higher but slightly smaller in hectares from the flower dome.It replicates the cool and moist condition of the mountains above sea level of Southeast-Asia, Middle- and South Africa. We descend the mountain through circular path and later on we found that there is an elevator. We used elevator to go down the mountain. The waterfall gives us a refreshing cool air in spite of the hot weather outside the dome.

As we climbed up, me and the children only reached the  lower Lost world and take rest there, while hubby continue to climb the peak of the mountain. And through his good photos we are able to see how amazing this man-made mountain is.  Yes, it is man-made the mountain walls are a mixture of fascinating orchids, ferns,colorful bromeliads, dazzling begonias, and pitcher plants that are epiphytic in nature.

amazing view

Guy outside the dome, selfie

View from down

Crystal Mountain
It features different crystal body, stalactites,limestone's,etc. that are usually found in underground caves mountains. Here you can see how continent are formed,importance of fossils in understanding our past.

Secret Garden

Located at the foot of the Mountain,where also we ended our tour of this conservatory,

The Cloud Forest. Walking through this garden it seems that your are in Enchanted Forest.

Too tired.. let the lion carry us..

This where our tour end in this amazing conservatories. Climbing up the mountain through spiral walkways is an experience that I will never forget. As I was not expecting I can do it, in addition to that is quite high, an achievement for me, that it helps me somewhat reduce my fear of heights. The Cloud forest is a masterpiece of architecture that you should not missed.

And although you don't  have liking for flowers is a must that you visit this Cloud forest at the Gardens by the bay. The cool and moist atmosphere refreshes you from the heat of Singapore. Secondly, all the conservatories are amazing , how it was build, how they maintained it, and the concept is a must to see.

Actually, seen nice photo of the gardens by the bay at night time however due to limited time we aren't able to wait. So I suggest come by 4pm onwards to enjoy the light show and the night view of the Super trees. We are definitely coming back here.

The Quetz , sending some virtual hugs to you. Till next blog!

Photos credit to : HAQ aka Mr. Quetz