Rejoice Disney Magic with best views for FREE! - Celebrating 100 Years of Disney!

This summer has got some good news for Disney fans! Come over in heart of Hong Kong - Tsim Sha Tsui to celebrate Disney 100: Travel together at  Harbour city & LCX. 

The Mickey fan in me started jumping with joy when I heard about this amazing opportunity to get closer to Disney characters so close to city in Harbour city mall. Its called Disney adventure trip. There are more than 8 check-in scenes all over the Harbour city and LCX. Also there are more than 30 different series of popular Disney character installations which gives beautiful photo opportunity.

On 3rd floor ocean terminal there are beautiful installation of balloons and it looks mesmerizing to view sun set from there. So plan accordingly around sun set hours. However you might want to reach bit early as Duffy and friends are waiting for you to click magical pictures in the garden.

Surrounded by best harbour views from ocean terminal deck

P.S. We visited impromptu on Sunday afternoon and we had to wait Approx. 15 mins in most of photo taking booths. 

This is 25 meter long sea adventurer moored at the main entrance of Ocean terminal, Mickey and Minnie are waiting for everyone to set sail.     

 When: From 14th July to 3rd September - Day and Night

Time Taken: Depends on your choice but we were done within 1.5 hours including queue and enjoying some Starbucks time.

Where: Harbour City, LCX. Level 3, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

How Much: Its absolutely FREE! 

Suitable Age group: From babies to oldies whoever loves to bring some fun \in their life with this majestic disney characters :)

Is it stroller friendly? Yes Absolutely you can take your strollers here.

p.s. just if you want to play few games with elder kids then you have to buy Disney pass of HKD 120 an you get to step into that ship and play few games.    

Have Fun time visiting here and do let me know on comments if you like this blog :) 

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Worried about kids food while travelling? Check out options here!

Lot of my dear readers have been asking about food to carry for jain food options and toddler food we manage while travelling. So here is the exhaustive list of all. If you have any additions, do let me know in comments sections! Thanks

Apart from all these options, there are always lot of fresh fruits available which will keep kids lighter and happier while travelling. 

Thanks!

Have you booked this hidden gem in HK ? Thanks to Li Ka Shing!

There is lot to do in Hong Kong which will take you closer to nature but very few moments might feel divine, serene and absolutely blissful. Experience this bliss right in corner of Hong Kong in Taipo. We recently visited Tsz Shan Monastery (Chinese Buddhist Temple) and were in complete awe of this divine place. Lying in between lush green mountains and reservoir this place is absolute visual delight. It trumpets the serenity and the divinity together. Guan Yin statue (they call Lady Buddha) is magnificent and Centre of attraction. 

In this fast paced city life, if you wish to find some tranquility, find some peace or want to just stop the pendulum of mind which has tendency to go between past and future... this is the place for you. You will be in the present moment here. You will be in state of meditation throughout the time you will spend here. There is so much to do to help you to be in present moment. From water offering activity to zen calligraphy to walking meditations. It has all that you need right now to pause and just relax. 

The Buddha statues and prayers offered to Buddha during specific prayer time is soooo melodius. It transmits one to different zone. Its must attend during visit there.

How to make reservations: 

You have to book the visit 30 days in advance through their website -

 https://www.tszshan.org/home/new/en/visit.php

Pro tip: one person can book only 6 tickets and the window for booking opens at 8.00 am and it is completely booked out within couple of minutes. But one trick is if you select 3 or 4 people at a time then chances of getting some slots are higher. 

Do not forget to carry your HK ID card with which you might have registered the slot. 

How to reach Tsz Shan monastery:  

Easiest way to reach there is to reach Tai Po MTR and take a cab from there. It costs around 70HKD by cab. Do not reach too early or late - they are quite strict about booking timings

Where to eat?

The inhouse restaurant serves most amazing coffee and cheese cake absolutely free. So do not miss it. It is situated in remote location so you wont find many options around the monastery. Better carry you food. Couple of kms away there is beach and neighboring food joints so best to my understanding they are closest restaurants. 

What to wear?

Since its a monastery, respect their culture and tradition and dress appropriately.  

How much time is needed to visit the monastery?

So. you will get booking in slot and once you enter the monastery as per your slot given, you can spend as much time as you like there. There is so much to do and i bet you wont feel like leaving that place anyway :) 

Is it kid friendly?

It certainly is kid friendly but since we visited with our toddlers I can say that there is not much to do for them and they may not let you spend quiet moment anyway :p However you must not miss this visit for sure!

Lastly, if its raining too much during your slot time, you can borrow these cane hats :) :) :)

Hidden gem ~ Butterfly Valley Park in Hong Kong

Well, don't go by the name literally! There are not many butterflies in butterfly valley park. But what it actually has is much more creative, engaging, beautiful and fun filled activities for someone to spend whole day out there with family. The fact that the location is so serene and full of fresh air makes you fall in love with this place. THE BIGGEST ATTRACTION BEING AROUND BEAUTIFUL ALPACAS FOR LONG TIME.

There are many activities for kids to do in the park starting from feeding farm animals like goats, rabbits and Alpacas, tortoise and peacocks to view, sand pit with sand toys, rainbow slides, kids play area, key chain making activity, some activities are available upon request like Bee extraction lesson, organic farming, DIY butterflies painting and craft and many other things for group tour. Apart from all this there is lake for boating and lots of creative swings to lay down and just relax. 

Apart from everything else, there are ample of Instagrammable photo spots -   

Photos will do more justice then me describing much :) and more details to follow after photo tour :)

Pro Tip : They offer this professional photography for 100HKD but on insisting they give 1 picture for free!  

Tortoises!

Loved feeding carrots to Alpacas.
THIS IS BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT AND FUN PART OF THE PARK

They are so gentle and loving

Lovely Alpacas

Feeding Rabbits

Many more beautiful photo taking spots to follow...

Leather Keychain embossing activity

Kids play area

Flower land

Windmill and farms! Netherlands like feel!

So many swings to enjoy on lap of nature!

Kids play are includes bungee and bouncy castle

Rainbow slide

Garland full of entry!

Honey Bee education!

Time for some adventure!

Sky Mirror! Beautiful concept

Peacock! Bit in sorry state of keep! :(

Photo Stop!

Alpaca printed Coffee! Creative!

Beautiful sit out in front of lake in restaurant

That's a real one!

We love this pic!

Swan shaped boats in lake for boating

Its a beautiful ride!

Mandatory family pic in boat!

Different types of swings to enjoy!

Time to feed fishes!

Blessing island

At the end, bubble time to wind up our day!

Sand Pit for kids

How do we rate it : 

Its undoubtedly very huge farm / park with lot of things to see and do but unfortunately the maintenance is not very up to mark and some equipment's are too dusty and old. Few things are done only when group visits but despite of bit of downside its a must visit place at least once to enjoy being surrounded by lovely Alpacas and spending time seeing kids have fun while boating and playing. Overall we rate it 7/10. Since its quite pricey and they should have kept the equipment's more maintained. 

It costs 200 HKD per person (Adult) and 150 HKD (3 to 11 years)

Tip: Its quite pricey but the costs include a welcome hamper (Puzzle, keychain, stamp redemption voucher, 3D model puzzle of alpaca), Pedal boat ride for 30 mins and everything else inside except feeding animals which costs extra 60 HKD. So overall it can be bit costly for family to visit but its definitely worth one time visit.

Under same management, the Cinderella farm and the Go green organic farm is created and ne can buy season ticket for all three farms for 598 HKD. 

Where to eat:

Well there are lot of tables and chairs everywhere so its advisable to carry your own food. There is nothing much in the restaurant and its good enough just for drinks.

How to travel: 

Address: Butterfly Valley, No. 8 Fung Yuen Road, Tai Po, New Territories

You can take cab from Tai Po MTR (8 mins ride) or take 20P or 20M bus from Tai Po.

Timings: 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM Daily. Its good enough to spend whole day there. we were there for almost 6 hours.

Contact Details:

Phone: 65835111 / 65893111

Email: info@butterfly-valley.com

Website: www.butterfly-valley.com