HK MTRs

Today's blog is probably a really significant one for those who are not familiar with Hong Kong and the train transport around the city.  It's something I get lots of questions about when my family and friends come to visit.  They are always wanting to know about Octopus Cards, riding the trains, and how to get around via riding the trains.

Firstly, the MTR (train) is my preferred way to travel because it's quick and convenient.  It's also nice and air conditioned in the summer months.  Whenever looking for an MTR station, you can usually follow the red signs (seen below--> the blue sign with a white arrow a red circle with a white MTR logo on it and the walking man next to it), which point to you towards the nearest stations.

The nearest MTR to the center of Yuen Long town is Long Ping MTR Station.

This is a smaller MTR Station, but, mainly, they look like this on the inside.  There are exits pointed out so you know which direction to take to your destination.

Every station is also equipped with a street map so you can figure out where things are.  There are also fare charts and maps of the actual station.

Every MTR Station has a ticket vending machine for those who do not want to purchase an Octopus Card (which I will talk about later).  You just input your destination and can purchase a one way ticket to that place.

The map of the entire MTR network is present on the touch screen, so it is easy to find which line you want to ride and also the place you want to go.

There are also Add Value machines for those who carry Octopus Cards and want to add more money to their accounts.  Increments are usually by 50 HKD, 100 HKD, and (in some places) 500 HKD.

Mostly, if you commute a lot 500 HKD is good for the week.

To actually enter to train platforms, you have to pass through the turnstiles.  You either insert your paper ticket or "doot" your Octopus Card on the turnstile and it will let you pass.

Again, at every MTR Station, there are signs that point you to major buildings/landmarks.  They also point you to taxi stands and transportation hubs.

There are also ads found everywhere in every Hong Kong MTR station, which are always fun to check out.  They are frequently switched out and advertise a bunch of things (shows, products, etc).

Some MTR Stations (this is the West Rail line, by the way) have Free Wi Fi Spots.  The connection isn't too bad too!

There are also public toilets available along some lines (like the West Rail line and the Tung Chung line).

***A view from the Long Ping MTR Station***

Every MTR Station also has a customer service kiosk, where you can purchase Octopus Cards.  The Octopus Card is a debit card that can be used for riding most public transportation.  You can use the Octopus Card on:

1.  MTR trains
2.  Ferries
3.  Double decker buses
4.  The Airport Express
5.  Mini Buses

***NOT TAXIs***

What else can you do at the customer service kiosk:

1.  Add value to your Octopus Card
2.  Buy monthly passes
3.  Ask for directions
4…that's all I know...

To exit the train platform, you have to also insert the temporary paper ticket (which will not be returned to you) or "doot" your Octopus Card.

The MTR Stations are pretty convenient places to find ATM machines (HSBC, Hang Seng, Bank of China, etc) and also convenience stores (like Circle K or 7-Eleven).

Hopefully, this was a helpful blog post!  I'll probably refer people here when they ask me next time!

ALSO, the MTR station is a great place to rest during the summer or winter months.  THOUGH THERE ARE SIGNS that say you cannot sit on the window sills, loads of people just sit there to rest, wait for people, or enjoy the air conditioning/heating.

The MTR stations map

Long Ping MTR Station Train Platform

Long Ping MTR Station Platform

Urban Hiking: Morning Trail

I've discovered another Urban Trail that gives a pretty good workout.  It's called Morning Trail and it goes from Conduit Road in the Midlevels up to the Peak.  I've done this trail a few times now:

1.  If you are looking for a longer workout, try walking up the stairs to Robinson Road instead of taking the escalators.  Then, take a RIGHT onto Robinson Road, past the Park N' Shop (about 10 - 15 minutes) until you hit Conduit Road.  From Conduit Road (about 10 - 15 minutes), look for Hatton Road on the left, which will take you up to Morning Trail. 

2.  If you are in for a more leisurely urban hike, this blog suggests taking BUS 13 to the Kotewall Road Bus Terminus and walking up the hill to Hatton Road.

Either way, Hatton Road marks the start of the Morning Trail.

NOTE:  I use this stone wall with the Conduit Road sign as my landmark to finding Hatton Road.

The Morning Trail is uphill all the way to the peak.

I think it took me a little under an hour each time I walked the trail.

There are several trails along the way.   One loops around the Peak.  One goes over to the Univresity of Hong Kong.   So, keep an eye out for the Morning Trail sign posts along the way.

There are rest stops along the way, as well as restrooms, for those who might find the incline a strain.

There was a good amount of lovely scenery all the way up.

The path is also paved all the way up.

Along the way, there was also a dog park, though I'm not sure if it is deemed legitimately a dog park, but there it was.

The higher up we trekked, the more of Hong Kong's cityscape could be seen.

Pretty much near the end of the Morning Trail is the Lugard Falls.  It's a great place to take a rest and also take some photos!

The Morning Trail comes out on the side of the Peak Galleria.

At this point, I have been catching my breath at the Starbucks, or having lunch at the Peak.  But, taking the Morning Trail back down the hill is always my option of choice.  Though, if the hike was enough for you, there are options of catching the PEAK TRAM or the bus back down into Central.

The benefit if walking down though is that it's all downhill!

I'm glad I was introduced to the Morning Trail.  It's a great way to show out-of-town guests another way to get up to the Peak.  It's also a great way to get in some exercise while visiting Hong Kong…though we always seem to be walking all over the city and every moment of our days!

Hello Kitty Chinese Cuisine

One of my favorite places that I've had the pleasure of waiting 3 hours in line for was the Hello Kitty Secret Garden Cafe in Tai Hang.  I've since tried to visit the other Hello Kitty pop-up restaurants around Hong Kong, but hadn't had the patience to wait in line.  I actually quelled my dissatisfaction with visiting the Charlie Brown Cafe.  I just need a bit of novelty in my life!!!  Don't you?

When I got wind of another Hello Kitty fetish restaurant opening up around Yau Ma Tei, I jumped at the opportunity to try my patience on the weekday.

Getting to Hello Kitty Chinese Cuisine:

1.  From Jordan Station Exit C1, you'll find yourself on Bowring Street

2.  Walk along Bowring Street in the direction of Austin Station

3.  Down about 7 blocks, you'll hit King George V Memorial Park's entrance

4.  Turn left and you'll be on Canton Road

5.  The Hello Kitty Chinese Cuisine will be on your left

Hello Kitty Chinese Cuisine Info:
Shop A - C Lee Loy Mansion
332 - 338 Canton Road
Yau Ma Tei

Open daily from 11 am - 11 pm

NOTE:  They didn't take reservations, but they might in the future…as their website has a link for reservations.

The wait wasn't that long.  I would say that I waited 10 minutes or so.  It wasn't that bad of a wait either because it was nice to just see all the Hello Kitty enthusiasts who were as excited as I was to try this restaurant.

The menu was all in Chinese, which was fine because we just got a bunch of the dim sums from the pictures.  The waitstaff were incredibly nice, though, because they took the time to go through the dim sum menu with us.

SUGGESTION:  If you have a desire to check out Hello Kitty Chinese Cuisine, I would suggest checking out the menu online.  Perhaps go through it with a friend who can translate.  Then you can go to the restaurant prepared with which dishes you'd like to order.

We got a pot of jasmine tea.

We ordered an apple chicken and rice entree.

We also got a bunch of dim sum dishes:  Shrimp dumplings also known as Har Gow (or 蝦餃 in Chinese)...

Steamed cake also known as Ma Lai Go (or 馬拉糕 in Chinese)...

Sorry for the GREAT BLURRRR

Steamed lotus seed paste buns also known as Lin Yung Bao (or 莲蓉包 in Chinese)...

And, lastly, steamed custard buns also known as Lau Sa Bao (or 流沙包 in Chinese)…

Though the food was quite mediocre, the experience was something that I could tick off on my bucket list.

I'm not sure that I'd return to eat dim sum here on my own.  I would, however, consider taking my sister or mother here if they felt up for a Hello Kitty novelty eatery the next time they visit!

Inspiration Lake

I'd heard about Inspiration Lake when I was looking up places for beginner skaters to skate in Hong Kong.  Inspiration Lake is a great little lake-side recreational spot that is right alongside the Hong Kong Disneyland theme park and hotels.

Inspiration Lake Info:
Open daily from 9 am - 7 pm
Free admission

7-Eleven opens from 9:30 am - 6:45 pm

Rentals opens from 10 am - 5 pm


How to get to Inspiration Lake:
1.  From Sunny Bay MTR Station, catch the Disneyland Resort Line to Disneyland

2.  From the Disneyland Station, walk towards the buses/parking lot

3.  You should see a sign that will point you in the direction of Inspiration Lake (pictured below)

4.  You can walk across the parking lot and onto Fantasy Road

5.  Walk along Fantasy Road

6.  You'll see a turnabout after a few minutes of walking

7.  Walk around the turnabout and you'll see the sign for Inspiration lake

NOTE:  It takes about 10 minutes to walk over there from the Disneyland Station

My first impression of the Inspiration Lake:  "Looks like the resort from Dirty Dancing."  I love how Disneyland makes you feel like you are somewhere else…it's really a great feeling.  It really makes me feel like I'm no longer in Hong Kong.

We got to the park at 9 am, so there were only a few people around.  Most of the few morning visitors were bikers who wanted to bike around the park.  At about 11 am is when a lot more people started entering the Lake area.  There were school kids taking graduation photos, families setting up picnic areas, and a lot of tourists who just wanted to relax around the park.

I would totally suggest being an early bird if you do want to avoid crowds.

We had a good hour of skating around before a handful of couples showed up for baby photo shoots.

Inspiration lake has a beautiful arboretum, a path into and around the arboretum, a playground area, a single pathway around the lake, paddle boats, bike rentals, lots of picnic hills to picnic upon, and also a 7-Eleven (for cold drinks, sun screen, and snacks).

This lake sort of reminds me of Greenlake, in Seattle…only much smaller.  It has that man-made feel about it, where the landscape is so perfectly perfect.  It's amazingly tranquil in the mornings and lovely to just stop and enjoy the view.

The actual path is not too long, but, a few times around, makes for good exercise.  The path is smooth and pretty flat.  There is a slight incline when heading over to the arboretum, but that's a great place to practice downhill breaking because it isn't too steep.  

***Around Inspiration Lake***

***Through the Arboretum***

***Back out to Inspiration Lake***

In the afternoon, we decided to test out the paddle boats, which I had never done before.  It's actually a shame that you cannot swim in this lake, but the next best thing is paddling out onto the lake and soaking in some lovely rays.

We had to pack our rollerblades away in the lockers in 7-Eleven.  The lockers, by the way, were small.  I think, next time, I would probably just leave our stuff on the dock before we headed out on the paddle boats.

We were only on the lake for an hour, so we took full opportunity to paddle around the perimeter of Inspiration Lake, try to greet all other paddle boaters, paddle as close to the little island in the center of the lake, and also get as close to the fountain that sits to the side of the lake. 

It's pretty darn hot in Hong Kong these days, so getting a little sprinkling from the fountain felt so amazing.

I'd definitely recommend paddle boating!  It's a good workout for the legs!

We spent most of our morning and part of the afternoon out at Inspiration Lake.  Instead of taking the MTR back to Yuen Long, we decided to catch bus R8, which sits right to the side of Inspiration Lake's entrance.

The ride to the Lantau Link was about 5 minutes.  From the Lantau Link, we caught our E34B back to Yuen Long.  The entire journey back took us about an hour…which is almost the same length of time it took us to catch the MTR from Yuen Long---> Nam Cheong --> Sunny Bay --> Disneyland.

Overall thoughts for Inspiration Lake:
1.  It's a great place for beginner skaters
2.  It's best to go early in the morning when there are no visitors
3.  Try the paddle boating
4.  It's a lovely place to just sit, read, and picnic
5.  It's a great place to take your dog and kids for a walk