THINGS WE HAVE DONE

Tips for families visiting Hong Kong with baby or toddlerNovember to December is good time to visit HK (Nov. average 19 -24C), generally sunny and pleasant to walk around. Here are a few tips for families with baby/toddlers visiting HK. I hope the tips will help mommies enjoy their trip to HK! Just so you know- I am currently living in HK Island, so I tend to focus more on things to do around HK Island than in Kowloon side. So, here you go!

Ge n e ra l T ip s: 1) Taxi from A to B Once you take Airport Express train into HK island (only 25mins journey), it is fairly easy to navigate around HK. Most of the places are accessible by MTR/Bus, and taxis are everywhere. For a family with baby/ toddler, I will strongly suggest you take taxis to go around HK Island, fairly stress-free and cheap. (Disclaimer: Stress-free if you can ignore the grumpy taxi driver. Do not take it personally!) Baby carrier or backpack carrier HK is crowded and its landscape is fairly hilly/with stairs, so it will be easier for you to go around with your baby in baby carrier or a backpack style carrier. You wouldnt need to worry about pushing the stroller in a narrow street or struggling to push the stroller up and down the steep stairs. I still carry my 23months toddler in Ergo baby carrier up and down the stairs and in-out taxi around HK Prepare a belt or easy-to-carry seat Most of the local restaurants, especially HK style caf, do not have high-chair. The Dim-sum places might have booster seat to tie to the chair, but there is no strap to ensure your baby/toddler is seated safely on the booster seat. We normally use my husbands belt to strap our son to the booster seat at his waist level, so at least he wouldnt slip down the booster seat. I bought a fabric-type Tot-seat, handy but rarely use it, since my toddler doesnt like it! Baby diapers and other essential You can get baby diapers and baby skincare items from any established grocery shops like ParknShop, Wellcome, Mannings and Watson. For other items like swim diapers, organic food/ crackers, PawPaw cream, etc- my go-to place at Central is Pedder Street- Bumps to Babes at Pedder Building (right across Landmark and Marks & Spencer, cant get anymore central than that!)

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Pla c es t o go : 1) Star-ferry from Wan Chai to TsimShaTsui(TST): http://www.starferry.com.hk/tour.html

Start from Wanchai HK Convention and Exhibition center, take photos around waterfront at the Golden Bauhinia Square, then walk across the road to ferry terminal. Take ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui, and walk along HK Star-Walk to enjoy the Victoria Harbour view. You can then head to Harbour city for shopping on your way back to ferry terminal (see shopping #1 below) 2) Stanley (south-side of HK island): Market , Promenade, Pier and Plaza http://www.littlestepsasia.com/hong-kong/articles/shop/stanley-guide

About 30mins taxi ride from Central to Stanley, the Stanley market is a well-hidden gem. You will be surprised by the childrens clothes on offer in the market stalls! Locals like to bring children for a walk along the promenade area, the Plaza square with playground is favourite place for the little scooters whizzing around. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, and international grocery shops in the Plaza where you can stock up baby food and diaper supplies 3) Ocean Park (south-side of HK island) http://www.oceanpark.com.hk TIPS: Pre-buy entrance tickets at any 7-11shop to avoid queue! I prefer Ocean Park to Disney Land for a simple reason shorter distance. It only takes about 1015mins taxi ride from Central to Ocean Park, while it takes about an hour door to door for me to get to Disney land. I like to arrive at Ocean Park after 3pm to avoid crazy long queue in the morning. For family with baby or young toddler, you can easily spend 3hours walking around the Aquarium, Panda world and Whiskers Harbour ()- which is cater for younger children. After Aquarium and Panda world, take a break at the caf/ restaurant near Whiskers Harbour entrance before continuing to Whiskers Harbour. My son loves the little train ride and driving remote controlled boats! There is also a game zone for adults to win cute soft toys. Dancing fountain- Aqua City show starts at 7pm, a nice way to end the day.

4) Victoria Peak and Circle walk http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/great-outdoors/hikes/peak-circle-walk.jsp Take Peak tram from Garden Road up to the peak, and walk along the Circle walk (~1hr) to enjoy the 360 view of Hong Kong. After the walk, reward yourself with HK style milk tea at Tsui Wa Restaurant at the Plaza, or posh it at The Peak Lookout restaurant TIPS: To avoid long queue getting back by tram- take mini-bus at the bus terminal behind the Peak Galleria. It will bring you back to central station within 30mins; Taxi costs around HKD 100, takes ~ 20mins to central. Well-worth it with a tired and cranky baby!

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5) Sheung Wan / SOHO and Mid-Level Escalator http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/tours-walks/self-guided-walks/hong-kongwalks/central-and-sheung-wan.jsp

Travel through time in HK with breakfast dim sum at Lin Heung Kui, walk along the shark fin, birds nest wholesale shops towards Antique street/Hollywood Road, and continue down Holloway Road. The well-know mid-level escalator cuts through Hollywood Road closer to Central. You should have by now discovered all the little steep staircase lanes resemblance the neighbourhood in the movie In the mood for Love.

Ea ti n g: Note: Please check directly with the restaurant website on latest opening hours and operating status. Turnover of restaurant in HK is fairly high since the rental market is crazy, the restaurant can be closed before you know it!

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Tsui Wah at the Peak Galleria must try HK Milk Tea Champagne style! : , 1 A

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Maxim Dim Sum Palace at Hong Kong City Hall, Central Good View, Good food, Good service! :, 3

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Din Tai Fung at Causeway Bay comfort dumpling and noodle, no introduction needed! :, 68

4) Lin Heung Kui Dim Sum, Sheung Wan nostalgic dim sum restaurant with tea serves in bowl. Hot water next to some tables, so not really baby friendly. : , 46-50 5) Ole Tapas(Spanish) at Central Been there once for dinner, saw couples with young children, and family celebrating birthday. Good vibe with old school Spanish food. Pricey. : 24-30 1 6) Casa Lisboa(Portuguese) at Lan Kwai Fong Tower, Central Set Lunch is good value (for central HK standard), excellent food and service. Booking is advisable. : 55 LKF Tower 8 7) HK style breakfast/ dinner and sweet drinks place at Tai Hang, off Tung Lo Wan Road Go to www.operice.com to get full list of restaurants search near Tai Hang area. My favourites are: , , U N A R C O F F E E C O M P A N Y ,

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Ritz Carlton- The lounge and bar afternoon tea at 1 Austin Road, Kowloon ICC forget about The Peninsular, Ritz Carlton has upped the gameby 102nd floor! Comfy lounge for a relaxing afternoon

9) Malacca caf at Traders Hotel HK West district Best Malaysian food in HK I tried so far! : 508

Sh op pi n g 1) Harbour City, TST Kowloon : http://www.harbourcity.com.hk/shopping Huge shopping mall at the side of TsimShaTsui ferry terminal. The ground floor is known as KidsX and is home to the largest Toys R Us in Asia. Go to their main side and select the kidswear/maternity/toy drop-down and you will see 3 pages of children and mummies stores! 2) Horizon Plaza, Aberdeen http://www.littlestepsasia.com/hong-kong/articles/shop/horizon-plazaguide Go wild for baby items at Bumps to Babes and learning material at ELC warehouse. There are also branded fashion outlets in the building. Jumbo restaurant is not far away, you deserve a good dinner after the shopping spree! TIPS: Take a break at Top floor - Tree caf for relaxing tea/coffee. There is nursing/changing facility at the caf. 3) IFC Mall, Central HK free stroller to hire..but not much children stuff.. Tip: get sandwiches from Classified cafe and go to IFC rooftop for picnic and enjoy scenery. Walk to Ferry Pier 3 to get ferry to Discovery Bay if you want to experience Captain Tongs lifestyle ;)

4) Lee Gardens/ Times Square/ Hysan Place/ Sogo/ Windsor House at Causeway Bay Mother care, and branded children fashion items at Lee Gardens Two (eg: Gucci Children, Baby Dior). Times Square basement- CitySuper for organice fruit and vegetable and other imported groceries. Food court and Apple store at Hysan Place. Sogo and Windsor House for wide range of children wear. Tip: Victoria Park entrance is right across Windsor House, there are a few playgrounds and a big field for your little one to burn their energy. 5) CityPlaza shopping mall at Tai Koo Shing Bit out of the way, but family friendly with good food court TIPS: kids can be entertained in Quarry Bay Park playground 5mins walk towards City Plaza Phase 4, with adult companion see related Quarry Bay Park Playground info here: http://sassymamahk.com/sassy-mama-family-field-trips-day-out-to-fireboat-alexander-granthamquarry-bay-park/

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