Wirte up on HK and Taiwan Trip.

A friend is asking me on my self cater trip to HK and Taiwan, so I had written it down and send to her via email. I decide to post it here because just incase I forget in future, or someone need it again.

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For HK,

Stay:-
You may search Hostel through this weblink
http://www.hkhostels.com/
http://www.hostelworld.com
I stay in 京华槟馆，Tel : +852 2395 0577. (don't know still there).
Is located in Sincere Buliding, Mongkok, Kowloon.
I feel Mongkok is really a very good location for shopping and going anywhere.
MTR is just nearby.

But I don't recommend Hostel to you. It can be very horrible for you (to me, I am used to it).
It is quite clam, dirty and some rooms are dark. They don't change their bed liner often during peak seasons.
If you die die must stay in Hostel, I recommend Dragon House which is in the same building. (heard from my friend they are better, but dont expect high).
Or you search yourself.

Transportation:-
HK is like singapore, very convenience in transportation.
Once you step out of the Airport Glass door..... I think just walk across, there is Airport Express straight to the town.
There is a ticketing counter nearby. Take the train towards Kowloon, if you stay there.
At Kowloon station, transfer to their MTR. You may see the link here:
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_express/intro_index.html
You can purchase their concession tickets if you want, just read through their MTR website.

Then from there I always take their MTR to anywhere, everywhere.
Only when I visit their big buddha, I take MTR and transfer about an hour bus.
Highly recommend to use their MTR than their road transport, because they always have heavy traffic.
But one bad point is their MTR is they don't have lift, so is very heavy to carry your barang around.
They have more staircase then escalator.

Place of interest:-
1) Big Buddha + Disney = 1 Day (Love most in this 2 places)
We wake up very early morning and take MTR to Tung Chung to transfer bus to Lantau island. (you may try their cable car too. I didn't because during that time their cable car still not very stable).
Stay and take photos for about 1/2 a day.
After Lunch (at the temple - FOC and nice), then we travel back to Tung Chung and head to Disney.
Although we did not manage to finish the whole disney, but I think 1/2 day is still enough.
Unless you wanted to play every games, then I have nothing to say.
Stay there for fireworks...... until the gate close.
Although this is the smallest Disney, but I still feel fun over there especially when we saw the characters..... crazy to take photos with them.

2) Ocean Park + Victoria Street = 1 day
Day time we transfer from MTR to some place to take the bus to Ocean Park.
Hum...... Not very recommended so so only. But their animal shows is nice.
Around late evening, then we head to Victoria street.
Is highly recommended to watch the lighting there..... very beautiful.

3) Peak - Worth to go.
I went during night time, I like it. Very nice and cool. I dont know about day time.

http://photoflame.blogspot.com/2006/05/hong-kong-trip-13th-to-18th-apr-2006.html
I went Shenzhen, Macau and HK during that trip.



For Taiwan - Hualien,

Stay and transport:-
The train station is quite near to the outer of the town. (not really a very big town).
Because we are backpackers, so normally we walk from one end to the other.
We stay very near to the train station, if walking is about 15-20mins.
If by taxi, is about 5-10 mins only.

I don't recommend this 1-2 star 民宿 to you. I don't think u can make it.
Can see crocoaches running around..... haha.
But the price is dirt cheap.
One thing good about them is you can walk in and request to take a look at their rooms.
If not good, just walk away and find the next one.

I know there is better 民宿 and hotel nearby.
When u reach the train station, there will be alot of taxi driver approach you.
They will hard sell their package, but not too worry first.
There is a tourist information booth next to the train station.
Just walk in and get some info.

From there, then u decide which hotel / driver / place you want to go.
Anyway, most of the driver are polite.
Just book one of the driver for your one / two days tour.
They will pick and drop you from your hostel / Hotel.
They have timing one, like what time to what time.
Just bargain with them.

Oh one more thing, try to book your rtn train ticket a day in advance. Play safe, sometime too crowded no seats.

Place of interest:-
Must go Taroko National park. The driver will know where to bring u too and explain some of the natural and histroy.
http://www.taroko.gov.tw/tarokoportaleng/0_0_0/Default.aspx

Hualien very big, if one day only, I think u can only go Taroko.
Other than that, they have nice beach 七星谭 and some other place.

Ok, that's all.
Enjoy your trip.

Regards,
Shulian
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Some people is wondering how can I survive through those dirt, clam and dark Hostel during my oversea trip..... haha.... Below is a tips for you:

1) Bring along a big sarong / big towel and a face towel. Big Sarong / towel is to lay it on top of the bed liner. Sarong / towel can act as a blanket as well. And face towel is to lay it on your pillow. (now become a habbit, even 3 or 4 star hotel, I will also bring at least a face towel for the pillow.)

2) When u see cockroaches, just pretend you did not see it and walk away. Haha! Same as other insects...... hahahaha.......

3) Bring an indoor slipper with you, so that even the floor is very dirty, you still able to walk with it.

4) If you don't like the odour smell in the room. Buy a air refresher locally, and spray it.

Maybe I should write a blog on all the hostels which I have stayed before...... actually, is a very good experienece to me.