Happy Wanderers: March 1, 2019 - Hong Kong, Hong Kong

March 1, 2019 - Hong Kong, Hong Kong - Friday, Day 54

This marks our 4th visit to Hong Kong. We have always enjoyed it. We are docked at Kai Tank Terminal. This terminal is built on the runway of the old airport. It was completed in 2014. It is terrible. It is remote from city center, and it’s internal traffic pattern is horrible. When we return to the ship we have to go up to the 3rd floor to clear security, descend to the second floor to enter the gangway and then it is necessary to navigate 5 descending ramps to actually get to the ship. Very strange.

We knew we did not want to take a tour here. We were going to Disneyland. That’s right Hog Kong has a Disneyland.

I had researched the use of the subway, the MTR. The options were a 24 hour tourist pass that allowed unlimited travel for $65 Hong Kong, individual trip tickets that are priced based on distance or an Elder Octopus for Loan card. The latter required a $50 HK deposit and an initial load of $20 HK. The deposit and any unused portion of the amount loaded were fully refundable upon surrender less a $9 HK processing fee. All of this could be accomplished at any MTR station.

Our friends, Allan and Sharon, had alerted us to the senior day ticket for Disneyland. persons 65 and over pay just $100 HK to get in. That is just $12.50. The Mtr charged our cards $2 HK each for the ride to Disney land and again for the return. That $8 HK is just $1 US. The day cost us just $26 US. We had taken energy bars and water with us.

Our ride to the park via MTR required 3 train changes, but it only took 45 minutes for $.25 US each. This compares to a 30 minute taxi ride for $30 US. And the ride was fun. The MTR is remarkably efficient. Courtesy is shown to elders. Alice and i were given seats at least 3 time. And we don’t even think we are elder.

The park is very compact. The rides are somewhat different from ours. The Runaway Mine Cars was much more interesting than we remember at Disney World. Mystic Mansion replaces Haunted Mansion. The shows mix English with a little bit of Chinese. they are not difficult to understand. The crowd tends to be pushier than we are accustomed to at home. But this is true everywhere around here. The parades were great. The pop up bands were very entertaining. The character appearances drew large crowds.

It was all great fun.

We returned to the free shuttle pick up point at the MTR station near the pier at 7:55. The shuttle arrived at 8:30. We got to the ship at 8:55. By the time we washed up the dining room had closed. so had the Lido. We went to the Crows Nest for cocktails and peanuts. That was dinner. We had a great day!

Here are some of our memories of the day.