At seventeen: #np: Vanilla Salt

Just got back after a short but memorable trip to Hong Kong with my family. This was my maiden voyage to HK but my parents and Bro got to visit the beautiful country last year. I couldn't join them cause I was in the midst of my preparation for my O's back then. But since I'm already halfway through my long semester break, my family decided to go to HK again and revisit some of the famous sights and of course, FOOD!

I got to take the A380 for the very first time! Come to think of it...I think it was also the very first time I've travelled with Singapore Airlines! It was a fun experience, even though it was a short flight of around 3-4 hours :)

I've always wondered why I'm always given the 'wing' seats whenever I travel overseas.

We're in Hong Kong! The weather was hot and warm but it was also pleasant and welcoming! Also, the high-rise apartments are freakishly tall, waaaaay taller than the ones here in Sing! In addition, Hong Kong is filled with wonderful foliage and breathtaking scenery! There are hills and mountains everywhere! It was after taking the cab ride to the hotel did I realise that the apartments are built in such a 'tall manner' because much of the land is filled with uneven ground and so whatever flat land available is quickly secured to build these wonderful giants.

Now THIS is the Hong Kong I know...based on all the HK dramas i've seen on TV...

We got checked into the L'Hotel and got a spacious room with a spectacular view overlooking the harbour!

Bro wanted to sleep in the tub because it was 'cozy' <--according to him XD

We went to grab some dinner, our first meal in HK :) Maybe it was because we were too hungry but the food was amazing!

Looking back at this picture...I wonder just how many bowls of Century Egg porridge have I stuffed myself back in HK.... XP

After dinner, we went to explore the area and were welcomed by the amazing sunset. Hong Kong truly is a beautiful place with a mix of both old and new buildings that somehow blend seamlessly to form the most tasteful sights.

Our hotel was just 5 minutes away from the Citywalk mall and the MTR( Hong Kong's version of Singapore's MRT) station :) Convenience? Checked! XD

The wonderful harbour view from out room. It's even more spectacular at night when the bridge lights up!

Day 2. We grabbed some breakfast at a restaurant near the hotel before heading off for some sightseeing! As usual, the food was great!

Citywalk seems to have some kind of affinity with pandas. They were literally EVERYWHERE in the mall!

I love pandas. I always have loved them. But....I WASN'T ALLOWED TO EVEN GO NEAR THESE FELLAS!

The only times we ever used the cab was on the first and last day of the trip, from the airport to the hotel and back from the hotel to the airport. We did most of our travelling on foot, train and bus. Economical and yet fun! The view of the city looks the best when you're on the upper deck of the buses and the MTR stations are so similar yet some different from the MRT stations in Singapore. You even get to shop in the stations because they're just so damn big and are filled with shops!

We went to take the peak tram which, according to mum, is a must-go for all tourists XD

While waiting for the tram to arrive, we got to walk past a little historical museum which was really interesting :)

Just chilling...and waiting for the tram to come down the hill...

Up we go~

When we got to the top...my jaw dropped.

We got to write little love letters to our beloved and this was Bro's... <3

HUG BOBO!

So we did~

The buses in HK are just awesome. You get to see the best sights of HK...

Mum insisted we check out this popular restaurant...We had to wait a while~

I STILL have no idea what this stuff is but it was soooo fragrant and it was sooooooo damn good!

Yeah...I can't read this is cantonese -_-

No matter where we go, my family is still connected with the number 18 XD

Welcome to the wet market!!!

We passed by this stand that sold cards that turned into wonderful creations when they're flipped open! I bought the merry-go-round card cause it was just sooooo intriguing and pretty!

Back to the train station~

WE'RE AT OCEAN PARK!!!!!

I'm a sucker for animals...who cares about the roller coaster rides when you've got an indoor aquarium with good air-conditioning to enjoy?

Still can't believe these 'sticks' are actually fishes~

STINGRAYS!!!

A cute shark just cruised by~

So this is what a starfish looks like from underneath...

JELLYFISHES~~~

Loved the fact that the tanks had multi-coloured lights that made these brainless creatures look like they were meant to be placed in a pub! XD

Cutest souvenirs ever! The seal's mine and the dolphin belongs to my bro~

They change colours too!

With a big-ass tank right behind us!

My very first time seeing red pandas and GOSH they are the cutest living fluff balls ever!!!! This little fella's called Tai Shan!

SOOOOOOOOOO CUTE!

On the other hand, my OTHER favourite animal didn't cared about my existence and stayed in this position throughout the entire 15 minutes I spent staring at him -_- Ouch man...

Z Z Z Z Z Z ...Maybe it's dreaming about me XD

It's feeding time!!!

LIE DOWN! Good boy! XD

Where can I get myself a red panda? They're just toooo adorable!

Enjoying his apple...

Ya got more apples?

nom nom nom~

all done with dessert!

time to go back~

Cya, humans~

I drew the panda~

OTTER!!!

The ocean express. Really, it was just a train that carried us from the bottom to the top of the hill...

PENGUIN!!!

Saw this adorable artic fox and OMG it was supremely cute! Like a pomeranian with snow white fur that's thick and dense like a plushie!

SEALIONS!!!

His head itches... XD

Probably the laziest walrus I've ever seen! Oh please! Don't go lying around and showing us your big belly!

According to our booklet, this is the most popular animal show in the entire park. With talented dolphins performing amazing leaps and sealions with the cutest personalities!

Have you ever tried a pigeon? Well....they taste just like chicken XD

I couldn't possibly finish an entire lobster myself... I gave the other half to Mum~

Dim Sum.... XD

PEKING DUCK!!! OMG It was simply sumptuous!

While walking around and exploring HK, I found this vintage-looking watch that was just perfect!!!! Of course I couldn't walk away without buying it! XD

HK's wonderful skyline~

Overall, the trip was fantastic and I had a great time just enjoying the sights and sounds of HK. HK is beautiful, clean, full of culture and just a great holiday destination! I hope I get to visit this lovely country again someday soon!