Day 1 - Hong Kong City

We checked out early. Right after our breakfast - instant cream soup dipped with bread from home. Planned to go to the city & right after that the place the girls had been dreaming to go, the DL.

The elder girls babysitting the younger girls whilst HB & were busy packing up our belongings.

Balqis & Yasmin at the airport hotel lobby.

We took the MTR to the city. The ticket prize was quite a bomb for our troop of 6. Only Nadeen need not require a ticket.

MTR route.

Yes Balqis... You need a ticket.

We headed to HK city. It was the only day we had to check out the city. It explained why we traveled light & the backpackers way ;-)

At Hong Kong City station, figuring our way to the Peak Tram.

Check that out... The Amazing Race Family Team

The city

Language was not a barrier but we sure did go in circle that day. The locals were helpful still we got lost. At a point it crossed my silly mind... "Have we eventually crossed the sea & landed on the Philippines?" Why? It was a Sunday & the city was full of the Pinoys on their off day. It looked like a feast but really an eye-sore.

The many of them picnicking on the pavement.

A close up.

After climbing up those steps & joined HB with Nadeen in the stroller at the top, we discovered it was another wrong attempt. Seriously, the city was not friendly at all with signboards! An Aussie guided us down the hill to the right direction.

How glad was I when I saw this... This out of focus photo proves my aching body.

A pose before the queue

Now, that was the long, long queue!

Madame Tussauds HK ticket counter. The entry ticket was too dear. We might as well save the cash for the one in London ;-) But the girls made do with JC.

Yes... that was the crowd on that unfortunate day...!

I was not sure how long was the wait. Close to an hour or perhaps more. The girls didn't complain though... We had some sandwiches, befriended a family from Scotland, observed the people around us & cursed in BM to such terrible attitude of those tourists who failed to graduate the etiquette in a queue. They even took their chance with small children!

It was really my luck when the tram was ready for us to board & one of the doors was right in front of me. I was carrying Nadeen & slowly took my step when suddenly came this one lady who sneaked in front of me & rushed inside. Bull her!! I knew her spouse was right behind her. I blocked his way. Stopped & made way for all my other girls. Too bad HB was far away handling our bags & didn't witness the incident.

The tram was pretty much like the one I rode long ago in Penang Hill ;-) But it was my girls 1st experience & they seemed to enjoy it.

Us with the tram in the background

We had our lunch at the Peak. Was too hungry to enjoy the panaromic view outside ;-)

Our lunch - a bucket of shrimps with fish & chips served in a boat ;-)

Now, the girls 1st pose with a character in HK

After we fueled up, we went up to the sky terrace to watch HK from high above. It would be way nicer at night with the colourful neons. Time was what we were poor at..

Metropolitan city of HK in the background

Sisters, having a wonderful time

Don't mess with my sisters!!

Their faces say it all...

A shot by Wardah of HB & yours truly.

In this trip my dslr was most of the time with HB. He seemed to have fallen in love with photography... :-) Perhaps because I was occupied with Nadeen most of the time. Still, this Ms Gadget made use of her handycam which could be controlled with a single hand ;-) Anyhow the vid she shot is not for public view. You'll get headache... Hahaha!

The Peak Tower was rather fascinating. We didn't get the chance to explore though. Running out of time... HB wanted to climb down & I almost agreed. He changed his mind though. Knew how unfit his little wife is ;-)

At the Peak Tower

We reached the bottom & started to recall the route we followed to get to the peak tram, I went blur :-) Good I noticed a police officer & asked for a reliable direction.

In search for the Central Station

A couple of buildings from down below

I was not sure how big was the MTR station there in HK but it took us quite some time (no we were not lost!) to reach Sunny Bay, the station to DL

The MTR to DL

In the MTR. Balqis & Nadeen were knocked out...

The minute we stepped out of the MTR, Yasmin uttered... "Finally I am at Disneyland!". I'm not sure . Was that due to the long journey of going in & out the MTR or the long wait. You see, she had been wanting to go to DL ever since she was 5 ;-)

Off to the hotel

We woke up the other 2 & they got all excited seeing Mickey & friends...

There free coaches were available to take us to the hotel. HB suggested for a walk. The girls were thrilled... I simply agreed despite my aching legs.

HB walked far in front with Balqis. The others were with me. It was supposed to look like we didn't know each other... The mission? We were smuggling Yasmin. Our platoon would fail for a single room check in. To get another room would be a big waste for I was positive they would end up in the same room with us. Plus, the room rate was a bomb!

Strolling together we chatted over the incidents happened that day. I elaborated on cultures. But what I really needed to explain over & over again was why the hotel management refused us in one room. Why we were sneaking. Aiyo...!!

No. Just a pose at this hotel entrance. Didn't book for this one.

In case you were wondering... the walk was more or less 1 & a half km. We took more than half an hour ;-) Chatting, snacking, posing.

Here it was...

I found HB with Balqis at the check in counter. The elder girls had been briefed to ignore them. We got busy at a nearby gift shop. HB saw us, passed the key & took Yasmin elsewhere. I together with the others headed to the elevator.

Our room

Nadeen once freed from her stroller, headed straight to the bed & pretended to be asleep. How cute ;-)

HB & Yasmin joined us not long after that. mission accomplished! :-)

*to be continued





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Hong Kong - The Journey

I'm back... Right, how shall I begin this? My recent trip to HK was without doubts full of enjoyments. However, we had to undergo quite a difficult time before departing...

If you have been a loyal reader to my travelogue, you would know my style. I will do this in daily basis so do spare me the time ;-)

This time around, we traveled without using our privilege tickets. Since, HK takes less than 4 hours to reach, HB decided to purchase our tickets. I agreed that EY should be ample.That was the mistake we made. We shouldn't have purchased EY tickets or better, we should have applied for another privilege tickets. The flight was fully booked.... & we were put as sub-loads.

We were supposed to go on the 7th since it was the day HB started his leave but on his Dec roster stated 5th & 6th were his off days as well. Hence, he changed the tickets to a day earlier. What more when I managed to bring forward the booking for the hotel room as well. Everything seemed to be as planned.

Our flight was at 1845. At 2pm HB felt like calling the ticketing & it was that moment he received the bad news. The plane that was supposed to take us to HK had some technical problems & failed to operate. The company decided to downgrade the plane to a smaller plane & due to that the buffer of 30 extra seats was down to 5 seats. We needed 6!

It was really a suspense waiting from 4pm at the airport until 630pm. If we failed to get seats on this flight, the day after & the day after flights were confirmed full!

What broke my heart was when I heard Balqis telling Nadeen that they would be in the plane to "Hong.... "& the little one continued "Kong". How was I to explain to them if we failed to get those tickets? I continuously prayed for their wish to come true...

Alhamdulillah, 5 minutes to 7pm we were informed that there were 6 seats available. My elder 2 girls looked grateful but Balqis & Nadeen had put on the same look ever since we left for the airport - "we're going for a holiday" look :-)

We reached HK safely. It was late & good that HB made a reservation at the airport hotel which was merely a walking distance. Yasmin had to pretend to be one of the crew's daughter. The number in our platoon obviously did not pass for a single room check-in ;-)

That night, we slept like a log.... dreaming of Disneyland :-)

Nadeen in the flight with her new toy papa bought in the flight

Balqis, all smiling for a holiday...

Ready for a nap

At the Hong Kong International Airport

Nadeen with mama

* to be continued

My Nadeen Is 2

My Nadeen turned 2 yesterday. Yup! Time sure flies... Feel like it was only yesterday I gave birth to our 4th princess. No doubt we were hoping for a boy then but the thought vanished when we saw her. I would never want to change her for anything even for a baby boy!

I have to say she is very grateful being the youngest of 4 girls. The things she learn from her sisters are impressively surprising. Her latest passion is dancing along with her sisters choreographed steps. I saw her once on the piano stool , seated but refused to play around with the keyboard. Her sister explained that she wanted the musical notes for her to play the piano. Very true. Once the book was in front of her she started to pretend playing while referring to the book... :-)

Since my oven is not working I decided to make non-baked mini cheese cakes. The girls including Wardah's friend helped except for Yasmin who was tired accompanying her mom shopping ;-) These are the photos...

My little chefs. Nadeen of course had no idea those were for her.

Pressing on the base

After I spooned in the cheese filling, they did their part with the strawberry jam

A close up

All done.. let's have the jam to ourselves!

The mini cheesecakes

Birthday girl with her sisters & Cicik

I huff & I puff & I blow it out

Failed... Check out the frustration look ;-)

A little help from Kak Yasmin did the trick

Enjoying it

Yummm....

Fatin

I want to eat in Peace!

Manja pose ;-)

Happy birthday Nadeen Busyuk Mama... We love you. Muah Muah Muah

Oh yes. We will be away. Once I'm back another travel journal shall begin ;-)

The Birthday Do

I mentioned that Balqis turned 5 recently & here's an update. On her birthday, HB had to work but he was not flying. He took his car & since mine was & still is at the service centre, we were carless. I'm not a hard core environmentalist to opt for my bicycle... & the day before I became a handicapped baker when my conventional/microwave oven suddenly refused to function. (sigh... last Ramadhan RM400 gone to repair its microwave function. The conventional oven was OK. This time it simply won't start! Grr..). So it was only in the evening we managed to have a cake for the birthday girl.

She woke up smiling knowing it was her birthday. We wished her, kissed & hugged. Told her that she could choose a toy from some of the things I normally keep aside for birthday gifts. She chose a set of Polly Pocket.

The night before HB asked her girls of the cake flavour to buy. We named several & he came home with all our favourites. Balqis was in the study playing an online game. Wardah distracted her attention. Yasmin helped me with the cake & this was what we presented her...

Everyone's favourite.. Tx to HB :-) He even surprised both girls with a gift each...

With her sisters. Look at Nadeen. Ms Trouble 2... :-)

We had a party at McD last weekend to celebrate both. Balqis turned 5 last Tuesday & tomorrow Nadeen will be exactly 2! Time sure flies.... Nadeen of course didn't really understand but Balqis was extremely excited. Made sure I had everything ready & even reminded she wanted a whole cake with Minnie Mouse picture, not cut cakes. Hahaha...

Balqis at 5

Part of the foods..

Both grandparents. I'm very sure the topic of discussion was "The Grandchildren" :-)

Kids had a wonderful time I could sense. They practically conquered the play room next door.

What surprised me was when Nadeen chose to join the fun voluntarily.

They were supposed to pass on the tiny ball & the one with the possession of the ball when the music stopped was asked to leave.

My Nadeen understood the concept of having a ball was to throw it far... She was going around trying to snatch away the ball! Hahaha... She later got the idea with the help of her bigger friends & played together.

Balqis was out but didn't fail to smile. Unlike....


the other birthday girl who wanted to protest!

The birthday cake

Happy birthday girls...

They cut the cake on Minnie & Minnie slipped inside the cake. Those small hands tried to be rescuers but was put to a stop on hearing my scream... Hahaha!

I'm not sharing mine!

Birthday girls ready to present the party packs & to bid farewell.

Thank you for coming... :-)

A family pic.

At home they straight away unwrapped their gifts. Thank you dear friends for making their day...